Blues Saraceno
Encyclopedia
Blues Saraceno is an American rock guitarist, composer, and music producer who currently resides in Los Angeles California. Saraceno was discovered by Guitar for the Practicing Musician
magazine, at the age of 16, which assisted him in releasing instrumental recordings on an independent basis. Saraceno's high profile as a gifted guitar virtuoso and musician opened the doors to an early career as a first call guitar sideman and session musician. Saraceno is most often recognized from his time playing with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker (Cream) as well as his brief tenure with the band Poison. Saraceno's early success in the music industry would eventually blossom into a career in producing and composing for television and film.
s. He started to play guitar
at the age of nine. When he was thirteen, he broke his elbow when he fell from a go-kart
and asked the doctor to position the cast
in a way that allowed him to remove it from his sling to practice guitar during his recovery. When he was nineteen, Saraceno moved to Los Angeles
to seek a career in music.
, who decided to enlist him to play on a song for Cher
's album, Heart of Stone. The album also featured musicians like Peter Cetera
, Bonnie Tyler
, Desmond Child
, and others. After this, his demo tape reached the Guitar for the Practicing Musician magazine. The magazine, which were about to launch a new record label
, offered Saraceno a record deal. Saraceno released his first album titled Never Look Back
in 1989.
After this, Saraceno won an audition with Jack Bruce
and Ginger Baker
, former members of Cream
, and started touring with them. After two successful US tours Saraceno was quickly becoming referred to as the "kid that replaced Eric Clapton". After another year of overseas touring, Baker departed and was replaced by Simon Phillips (Who, Toto) and eventually Gary Husband (Level 42). Saraceno continued to release two other solo albums (Plaid
and Hairpick
) as well as furthering his reputation as a top call session guitarist and landing many high profile equipment endorsements. .
In 1994, Saraceno joined the band Poison
as lead guitarist and songwriter after Richie Kotzen
was fired. After a South American tour which included the famous Hollywood rock festival in Brazil, Saraceno recorded the album Crack a Smile with the band. However, Capitol Records
decided to shelve the album releasing the 1996 compilation album, Poison's Greatest Hits: 1986-1996
, instead. Still, the album featured two of the new songs recorded with Saraceno. After some time, Saraceno left the group amicably and was replaced by the band's original guitarist, C.C. DeVille. In 2000, Capitol finally decided to release the Crack a Smile album under the name Crack a Smile... and More!. The album features fifteen tracks recorded by Saraceno.
After his departure from Poison, Saraceno met Vice-President of Advertising of Fox Television, who was a fan of Saraceno's earlier instrumental work. This resulted in Saraceno working on soundtracks and songs for several television shows and films.
In 2000, Saraceno also founded the band Transmission OK. Saraceno also worked as record producer for the band, which was signed to Beyond Records, and was distributed by BMG
. After a brief US tour, and lackluster support from the label, the group disbanded and Saraceno continued to work on television and film, as well as his session work.
Saraceno's session work has ranged from Ziggy Marley (Dragonfly) to Melissa Etheridge (Lucky) and he has earned a reputation for being a "go-to guy" for many of Los Angeles' top record producers and engineers.
Saraceno has also produced for artists such as, Scott Caan (Hawaii Five-0, Oceans 11), Eric Balfour (24, Chainsaw Massacre) of Fredalba, Lindsay Price (Beverly Hills 90210, Lipstick Jungle) and Anthony Michael Hall (Dead Zone).
Saraceno's greatest success has come in the field of television and film. Blues' television work credits include CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, Disney, Discovery, UPN, MTV, MTV 2, VH1, USA, TLC, Comedy Central, Telemundo, SCI FI, SPIKE, E! and BRAVO. A more detailed list can be found on his website (www.bluessaraceno.com). He has commented on how it is not uncommon to have multiple commercials running in multiple countries throughout the world, all at the same time and using the same piece of music.
Saraceno did three tracks for Megas XLR
. These tracks were Blood Shot, Berzerker and Ro-Sham-Bo.
pickups and Dirty Boy Pedals, which are pedals designed and handmade by his father, Alex Saraceno.
Guitar for the Practicing Musician
Guitar for the Practicing Musician was a guitar magazine published in the United States by Cherry Lane Music in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1992, it was the most popular music publication at newsstands, selling 740,000 issues over a six-month period. It was popular for publishing songs with guitar and...
magazine, at the age of 16, which assisted him in releasing instrumental recordings on an independent basis. Saraceno's high profile as a gifted guitar virtuoso and musician opened the doors to an early career as a first call guitar sideman and session musician. Saraceno is most often recognized from his time playing with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker (Cream) as well as his brief tenure with the band Poison. Saraceno's early success in the music industry would eventually blossom into a career in producing and composing for television and film.
Early life and career
Blues Saraceno was born to musician parents, which exposed him from an early age to several musical instrumentMusical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
s. He started to play guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
at the age of nine. When he was thirteen, he broke his elbow when he fell from a go-kart
Go-kart
thumb|A [[Kart racing|racing kart]] at the [[Commission Internationale de Karting|CIK-FIA]] European Championship 2008A go-kart is a small four-wheeled vehicle...
and asked the doctor to position the cast
Orthopedic cast
An orthopedic cast, body cast or surgical cast, is a shell, frequently made from plaster, encasing a limb to hold a broken bone in place until healing is confirmed...
in a way that allowed him to remove it from his sling to practice guitar during his recovery. When he was nineteen, Saraceno moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to seek a career in music.
Career
When Saraceno was still a teenager, his then manager sent a demo tape to singer Michael BoltonMichael Bolton
Michael Bolton is an American singer and songwriter. Bolton originally performed in the hard rock and heavy metal genres from the mid 1970s to the mid 1980s, both on his early solo albums and those recorded as the frontman of the band Blackjack...
, who decided to enlist him to play on a song for Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
's album, Heart of Stone. The album also featured musicians like Peter Cetera
Peter Cetera
Peter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
, Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler is a Welsh singer, most notable for her hits in the 1970s and 1980s including "It's a Heartache", "Holding Out for a Hero" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart".-Early life:...
, Desmond Child
Desmond Child
Desmond Child is an American musician, songwriter, and producer. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.-Career:...
, and others. After this, his demo tape reached the Guitar for the Practicing Musician magazine. The magazine, which were about to launch a new record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, offered Saraceno a record deal. Saraceno released his first album titled Never Look Back
Never Look Back (Blues Saraceno album)
Never Look Back is the first studio album by guitarist Blues Saraceno, released in 1989 through Guitar Recordings.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Blues Saraceno – electric guitar, mixing, production*Joe Franco – drums*Randy Coven – bass guitar...
in 1989.
After this, Saraceno won an audition with Jack Bruce
Jack Bruce
John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
and Ginger Baker
Ginger Baker
Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker is an English drummer, best known for his work with Cream and Blind Faith. He is also known for his numerous associations with World music, mainly the use of African influences...
, former members of Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
, and started touring with them. After two successful US tours Saraceno was quickly becoming referred to as the "kid that replaced Eric Clapton". After another year of overseas touring, Baker departed and was replaced by Simon Phillips (Who, Toto) and eventually Gary Husband (Level 42). Saraceno continued to release two other solo albums (Plaid
Plaid (album)
Plaid is the second studio album by guitarist Blues Saraceno, released in 1992 through Guitar Recordings.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Blues Saraceno – electric guitar, bass guitar, engineering, mixing, production...
and Hairpick
Hairpick
Hairpick is the third studio album by guitarist Blues Saraceno, released in 1994 through Guitar Recordings. Following the recording of this album, Saraceno joined the hard rock band Poison.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
) as well as furthering his reputation as a top call session guitarist and landing many high profile equipment endorsements. .
In 1994, Saraceno joined the band Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
as lead guitarist and songwriter after Richie Kotzen
Richie Kotzen
Richie Kotzen is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter.At a young age, Richie Kotzen was taken by music and first began playing piano at the age of five. At the age of seven he was inspired by the band KISS to learn the electric guitar...
was fired. After a South American tour which included the famous Hollywood rock festival in Brazil, Saraceno recorded the album Crack a Smile with the band. However, Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
decided to shelve the album releasing the 1996 compilation album, Poison's Greatest Hits: 1986-1996
Poison's Greatest Hits: 1986-1996
Poison's Greatest Hits: 1986–1996 is the first greatest hits compilation CD from the Glam Metal band Poison. The album was released on November 26, 1996 by Capitol Records...
, instead. Still, the album featured two of the new songs recorded with Saraceno. After some time, Saraceno left the group amicably and was replaced by the band's original guitarist, C.C. DeVille. In 2000, Capitol finally decided to release the Crack a Smile album under the name Crack a Smile... and More!. The album features fifteen tracks recorded by Saraceno.
After his departure from Poison, Saraceno met Vice-President of Advertising of Fox Television, who was a fan of Saraceno's earlier instrumental work. This resulted in Saraceno working on soundtracks and songs for several television shows and films.
In 2000, Saraceno also founded the band Transmission OK. Saraceno also worked as record producer for the band, which was signed to Beyond Records, and was distributed by BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
. After a brief US tour, and lackluster support from the label, the group disbanded and Saraceno continued to work on television and film, as well as his session work.
Saraceno's session work has ranged from Ziggy Marley (Dragonfly) to Melissa Etheridge (Lucky) and he has earned a reputation for being a "go-to guy" for many of Los Angeles' top record producers and engineers.
Saraceno has also produced for artists such as, Scott Caan (Hawaii Five-0, Oceans 11), Eric Balfour (24, Chainsaw Massacre) of Fredalba, Lindsay Price (Beverly Hills 90210, Lipstick Jungle) and Anthony Michael Hall (Dead Zone).
Saraceno's greatest success has come in the field of television and film. Blues' television work credits include CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, Disney, Discovery, UPN, MTV, MTV 2, VH1, USA, TLC, Comedy Central, Telemundo, SCI FI, SPIKE, E! and BRAVO. A more detailed list can be found on his website (www.bluessaraceno.com). He has commented on how it is not uncommon to have multiple commercials running in multiple countries throughout the world, all at the same time and using the same piece of music.
Saraceno did three tracks for Megas XLR
Megas XLR
Megas XLR is an American animated television series that aired on the Toonami block on Cartoon Network and is produced by Cartoon Network Studios. It was created by Jody Schaeffer and George Krstic...
. These tracks were Blood Shot, Berzerker and Ro-Sham-Bo.
Equipment
Blues Saraceno is endorsed by Mojave amps, Ernie Ball guitars and strings, Seymour DuncanSeymour Duncan
Seymour Duncan is a company that is best known for manufacturing of guitar pickups, and currently has a line of effects pedals. The company was founded in 1976 by guitarist and luthier Seymour W. Duncan and his then-wife Cathy Carter Duncan in Goleta, California, USA...
pickups and Dirty Boy Pedals, which are pedals designed and handmade by his father, Alex Saraceno.
Solo
- Never Look BackNever Look Back (Blues Saraceno album)Never Look Back is the first studio album by guitarist Blues Saraceno, released in 1989 through Guitar Recordings.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Blues Saraceno – electric guitar, mixing, production*Joe Franco – drums*Randy Coven – bass guitar...
(1989) - PlaidPlaid (album)Plaid is the second studio album by guitarist Blues Saraceno, released in 1992 through Guitar Recordings.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Blues Saraceno – electric guitar, bass guitar, engineering, mixing, production...
(1992) - HairpickHairpickHairpick is the third studio album by guitarist Blues Saraceno, released in 1994 through Guitar Recordings. Following the recording of this album, Saraceno joined the hard rock band Poison.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
(1994) - The Best of Blues Saraceno (2000)
With Poison
- Poison's Greatest Hits: 1986-1996Poison's Greatest Hits: 1986-1996Poison's Greatest Hits: 1986–1996 is the first greatest hits compilation CD from the Glam Metal band Poison. The album was released on November 26, 1996 by Capitol Records...
(1996) - Crack a Smile... and More!Crack a Smile- Personnel :* Bret Michaels – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar* Rikki Rockett – drums, percussion, backing vocals* Bobby Dall – bass, backing vocals* Blues Saraceno – lead & rhythm guitars, acoustic guitar, piano, backing vocals...
(2000)
With The Infinite Staircase
- The Road Less Taken (Plays on Opening Song "Happy Fields" and he Mixed the Album) (2009)
Other
- The Sound Of Nascar by Various Artists (2005) *he contributes 3 songs to the "Nascar Racing" arcade game
Trivia
- Blues is his real name.
- At 17 years of age Blues was invited by late guitar legend Les Paul to come and jam at Fat Tuesdays nightclub in New York City.
- Pantera guitarist Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott had the Plaid album tattoed on his leg.
- The "Plaid" Converse Chuck Taylor line of sneakers went into production after the product manager from Converse saw a pair of custom made sneakers that was being constructed in their custom shop for Saraceno (to match his main Plaid guitar). Converse extended their gratitude with a very generous amount of sneakers but no royalty.
- Saraceno's first signature guitar was released by Yamaha. The Yamaha RGZ 820R had a basic Strat shape and featured a green plaid paint job on the front.
- Saraceno's second signature guitar series was released by Samick. This series offered multiple models, the TV twenty, Radio Ten and the Twango. This series featured a number of different finishes ranging from multi colored burst's (the "creamsicle" series) to various Plaid designs as well as multiple solid colors. The "Twango" series was an electric/acoustic model.
- The majority of Blues' original Plaid guitars are located on the walls of Various Hard Rock Cafe's throughout the world.
- Saraceno had a signature set of guitar strings available from the company Dean Markley, which featured his name and photo on the package. This set featured the string gages 10–38 (which were the gages that he played during his formative guitar years). Saraceno is currently known for using Ernie Ball Strings exclusively.
- Saraceno currently has his own model guitar pickup (PATB3) available from Seymour Duncan Pickups.
- Blues composed (and performed all of the instruments) the Theme song for USA Network's "Dead Zone" television series (seasons 5 and 6)
- Blues' version of the Bee Gee's classic "Stayin' Alive" was used for CBS' NCIS Los Angeles Promo which ran during the 4th quarter of the 2010 Super Bowl (topping out at 146 million viewers).