Peppino D'Agostino
Encyclopedia
Giuseppe "Peppino" D'Agostino (born 1951) is a musician.
He was born in Messina in 1951. He was first drawn to the guitar
after watching his cousin perform during church services in his hometown of Torino; the self-taught musician began picking out tunes by ear, and inspired by legends like Paco de Lucia
, Leo Kottke
and Carlos Santana
, was composing and recording solo throughout Italy
by the age of 18. Immigrating to San Francisco in 1984 to pursue his dream as a composer and performer, he paid his dues as a street musician before developing into a world renowned recording artist and performer critics have long hailed as “a poet…among the best talents around” (San Francisco Chronicle
) and “one of the most capable composers among fingerstyle guitarists” (Acoustic Guitar
).
In addition to regularly performing concerts throughout North and South America, Canada and Europe, D’Agostino has released eight critically acclaimed solo albums in the US, two collaborations albums (one with electric guitarist Stef Burns and the other with classical genius David Tanenbaum) and three DVDs. He has been featured on numerous guitar samplers alongside greats like Pat Metheny
, Mike Stern
and John Scofield
; written numerous guitar instructional books and videos; and in 1997 wrote, composed and produced a soundtrack for the feature length Italian movie Ardena, directed by Luca Barbareschi. D'Agostino is a featured guitarist in the United Guitar Ensemble, an ensemble composed of seven of the world's top classical guitarists and D'Agostino on steel string. His most recent solo recording is 2010’s self-released Nine White Kites.
In 2009 he collaborated on the last Flavio Sala
's album "De La Buena Onda".
He was born in Messina in 1951. He was first drawn to the 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...
after watching his cousin perform during church services in his hometown of Torino; the self-taught musician began picking out tunes by ear, and inspired by legends like Paco de Lucia
Paco de Lucía
Paco de Lucía, born Francisco Sánchez Gómez , is a Spanish virtuoso flamenco guitarist and composer. He is considered by many to be one of the finest guitarists in the world and the greatest guitarist of the flamenco genre...
, Leo Kottke
Leo Kottke
Leo Kottke is an acoustic guitarist. He is widely known for his innovative fingerpicking style, which draws on influences from blues, jazz, and folk music, and his syncopated, polyphonic melodies...
and Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana
Carlos Augusto Alves Santana is a Mexican rock guitarist. Santana became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered rock, salsa and jazz fusion...
, was composing and recording solo throughout Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
by the age of 18. Immigrating to San Francisco in 1984 to pursue his dream as a composer and performer, he paid his dues as a street musician before developing into a world renowned recording artist and performer critics have long hailed as “a poet…among the best talents around” (San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
thumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
) and “one of the most capable composers among fingerstyle guitarists” (Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic Guitar (magazine)
Acoustic Guitar is a monthly magazine published in the United States since July/August 1990 by String Letter Publishing. The magazine offers information related to acoustic guitars for players of all levels from beginners to teachers. Each issue includes a half dozen or so songs with notation and...
).
In addition to regularly performing concerts throughout North and South America, Canada and Europe, D’Agostino has released eight critically acclaimed solo albums in the US, two collaborations albums (one with electric guitarist Stef Burns and the other with classical genius David Tanenbaum) and three DVDs. He has been featured on numerous guitar samplers alongside greats like Pat Metheny
Pat Metheny
Patrick Bruce "Pat" Metheny is an American jazz guitarist and composer.One of the most successful and critically acclaimed jazz musicians to come to prominence in the 1970s and '80s, he is the leader of the Pat Metheny Group and is also involved in duets, solo works and other side projects...
, Mike Stern
Mike Stern
Mike Stern is an American jazz guitarist. After playing for a few years with Blood, Sweat & Tears, he landed a gig with Billy Cobham and then broke through with Miles Davis' comeback band from 1981 to 1983, and again in 1985. Since then, he launched a solo career, releasing more than a dozen albums...
and John Scofield
John Scofield
John Scofield , often referred to as "Sco," is an American jazz guitarist and composer, who has played and collaborated with Miles Davis, Dave Liebman, Joe Henderson, Charles Mingus, Joey Defrancesco, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Pat Martino, Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, Billy Cobham,...
; written numerous guitar instructional books and videos; and in 1997 wrote, composed and produced a soundtrack for the feature length Italian movie Ardena, directed by Luca Barbareschi. D'Agostino is a featured guitarist in the United Guitar Ensemble, an ensemble composed of seven of the world's top classical guitarists and D'Agostino on steel string. His most recent solo recording is 2010’s self-released Nine White Kites.
In 2009 he collaborated on the last Flavio Sala
Flavio Sala
-Biography:After studying under the guidance of Pasqualino Garzia and obtaining his degree in classical guitar with an honorable mention in 2002, he studied with Oscar Ghiglia at the ' Academy Chigiana of Siena and at the ' Accademia Musicale in Florence....
's album "De La Buena Onda".