Album Notes

L. A. - based guitarist Chris Mello’s brand new release “THE GLOBAL VILLAGE” delivers a spectacular musical journey that embraces the guitar as the centerpiece within a tapestry of global musical influences from Cuba to Brazil to Africa.
These ten original compositions explore fresh new points of the “musical compass” while still delivering an unparalleled level of spontaneity, interaction, and virtuosity that one would expect from a modern jazz recording.
Fusing the infectious rhythms of Latin/South America with the elements of jazz, Mello creates compositions with memorable melodies, lush harmonies, coupled with some truly irresistible grooves. His playing here has redefined and reshaped the role of the guitar beyond the traditional limits of “Latin Jazz”.
Each of the ten tracks offers an opportunity for a fresh and new musical discourse in groove and style. “Rumba Para Zaza” explores Cuban rumba through a thoroughly more modern approach. “Preguntas” offers a new take on the vibrantly danceable Colombian cumbia. The adventurous melody on the mambo “Clavecity” twists and turns like a modern day roller coaster ride, while the playful “Raffa Y Manny” evokes Flamenco-like passions without being overt. Even the South African - flavored “Unnoticed Moments” manages to successfully marry Coltrane’s harmony with the evocatively joyful grooves of Y’oussou N’dour.
Backed by an ensemble of stellar L.A. session veterans, each track features the highest level of playing with a group that turns the “groove meter” up to “10”.
Featuring:
Otmaro Ruiz – Keyboards
Rene Camacho – Bass
Aaron Serfaty – Drums
Bryan Brock – Percussion
As a player, Mello’s astoundingly singular artistic sensibilities have rendered him a high profile contributor to numerous recordings. On both Nylon and Electric guitars, his carefully woven melodic ideas, innovative harmonies, and mastery of a multitude of “local guitar dialects” define him as a “unique musical voice” in a sea of modern jazz guitar clones. His writing exhibits his passion for vibrant music cultures flowing over an open tributary of modern jazz. All–in – all, a thoroughly enjoyable recording for fans of any genre!
“With this wonderful musical offering Chris, is inviting and reminding all of us that:
We all belong to the....GLOBAL VILLAGE...... and
It, in turn, to all of us ...... Enjoy!!!! “
- Justo Almario (Saxophonist/Composer)

"While these are only a few selections from the album, I would recommend checking out every track. The more you listen to it, the more rhythmic and harmonic intricacies you'll find. The overall musicianship is superb and the style is something completely new. Definitely a musician to keep an eye on!"
- JazzReview.com



ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Born in Boston, MA Chris began playing guitar at 12. Growing up in a Portuguese family, he fell in love with the music of artists such as Tom Jobim, Pat Metheny, John Coltrane, and Brazilian composer Ivan Lins. He went on to formally study the guitar at the University of Massachusetts. At an early age he began working in the pit orchestras of the Boston scene, in addition to working with orchestral groups such as the MET Wind Orchestra and the Boston Pops. Musically he was drawn to studying and performing with local jazz gurus such as Mick Goodrick, George Garzone, and Rick Peckham.
In 1997 he moved to Dallas to complete a Master's degree at the illustrious University of North Texas as a Teaching Fellow in the Jazz Department. While studying he also toured with the 25 year-old Dallas Jazz Orchestra and served as a staff columnist for Just Jazz Guitar Magazine.
In 2007 Chris completed his Doctoral Degree in Music in Studio/Jazz Guitar at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. An active performer in the L.A. scene, he has performed/recorded with: Ernie Watts, Norah Jones, Justo Almario, the Dixie Chicks, Jeff Kashiwa, Paul Schaeffer, Bill Cunliffe, Kenny Wheeler, Giovanni Hidalgo, Dan Higgins, Bobby Shew, Shelly Berg, and a host of others. Additionally, Chris has recorded for Vh-1, Taco Bell, Verizon Wireless, Latin Grammy Awards, and Disney.