Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Film

 

 

Vocal

 

Paul Viapiano is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. He was born on December 31, 1950, in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer, which inspired him to pursue a career in music. Viapiano started playing the guitar at the age of 11 and quickly developed a passion for it. He began taking lessons from local guitar teachers and soon became proficient in playing various styles of music, including classical, jazz, and rock. He also started performing in local bands and gained valuable experience playing in front of live audiences. After completing high school, Viapiano attended the State University of New York at Fredonia, where he studied classical guitar under the guidance of Stanley Watson. He also studied music theory, composition, and orchestration, which helped him develop a deeper understanding of music. In 1972, Viapiano moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He started playing in local clubs and soon gained a reputation as a talented guitarist. He also started working as a session musician, playing on various recordings for artists such as Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, and Celine Dion. Viapiano's big break came in 1982 when he was asked to join the band of legendary jazz pianist and composer, Dave Grusin. He toured with Grusin for several years and played on many of his recordings, including the Grammy-winning album, "Harlequin." Viapiano's reputation as a versatile and talented guitarist continued to grow, and he soon became one of the most sought-after session musicians in Los Angeles. He played on countless recordings for artists in various genres, including pop, rock, jazz, and classical. In addition to his work as a session musician, Viapiano also pursued a career as a solo artist. He released his first solo album, "Tongue in Groove," in 1993, which showcased his unique blend of jazz, classical, and world music influences. The album received critical acclaim and helped establish Viapiano as a respected solo artist. Viapiano's career continued to flourish in the following years, and he played on many more recordings for top artists, including Madonna, Whitney Houston, and Quincy Jones. He also continued to release solo albums, including "The Best of Paul Viapiano" in 2000 and "The Road from Memphis" in 2010. Viapiano's talent and hard work have earned him numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He has won several Grammy Awards for his work as a session musician, including Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for his arrangement of "Unforgettable" for Natalie Cole in 1992. Viapiano has also been recognized for his work as a solo artist. He was awarded the Best Instrumental Album award at the 2001 Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards for his album, "The Best of Paul Viapiano." He was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for his album, "The Road from Memphis." In addition to his work as a musician, Viapiano is also a respected educator. He has taught guitar and music theory at various colleges and universities, including the University of Southern California and the Musicians Institute in Hollywood. Viapiano's contributions to the world of music have been significant, and his talent and dedication have earned him a well-deserved place among the greats of classical music.

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