Jim Campilongo

Jim Campilongo
Background information
Born (1958-07-08)July 8, 1958
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres Alternative country, rock
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Guitar
Labels Blue Hen
Associated acts The Little Willies
Website www.jimcampilongo.com
Notable instruments
Custom Campilongo Signature Fender Telecaster

Jim Campilongo (born July 8, 1958) is an American guitarist from San Francisco and a member of The Little Willies, featuring Norah Jones.

Campilongo plays a Fender Custom Shop Campilongo Signature Fender Telecaster. He employs a hybrid right-hand technique that involves the use of both a plectrum and his fingers. He holds a mandolin pick between his thumb and forefinger while plucking with his middle and third fingers.

His music has appeared on national television commercials. He is also a teacher and a contributing editor to Guitar Player magazine.

Musical career

Campilongo was born in South San Francisco.[1] When he was nine, he discovered The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix courtesy of his two sisters. He became interested in improvisation, saying in one interview, "I knew I liked improvisation and long musical journeys...so I used to buy albums based exclusively on how long the tracks were...That's how I discovered John Coltrane Live in Japan, John McLaughlin Devotion, a couple of different Cream albums."[2]

Campilongo's career began in the mid 1970s when he studied guitar in San Francisco with Bunnie Gregoire, who taught the pre-teen to embrace everything from George Van Eps to John Denver. His first instrument was purchased with Green Stamps. During high school he played with his friend and drummer Ken Owen and at 17 began performing with local bands.[3] One of Campilongo's greatest influences at the time was blues guitarist Roy Buchanan.[2]

His recording career started in San Francisco in 1996 when he formed the band Jim Campilongo and the 10 Gallon Cats.[4] After several years, he left the group and recorded Table for One in 1998.

In 2002, he moved to New York City and formed his Electric Trio, which toured Europe and Scandinavia and recorded the album American Hips on Blue Hen Records.[4] In 2003 he formed the group The Little Willies with Norah Jones, Richard Julian, Lee Alexander, and Dan Rieser.

He has performed or recorded with Adam Levy, Al Anderson, Bright Eyes, Cake, Charlie Hunter, Chris Cheek, David Rawlings, Gillian Welch, J. J. Cale, Julia Darling, Leah Siegel, Marilyn Carino, Martha Wainwright, Nels Cline, Peter Rowan, Steve Cardenas, Sunny Ozell, and Teddy Thompson.

Campilongo released the critically acclaimed Orange in 2010. In January 2011, Campilongo was nominated for The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards under the Instrumental Song category for "Awful Pretty, Pretty Awful".[5]

His album Dream Dictionary (2014) features Chris Morrissey (bass) and Josh Dion (drums). Other notable contributions comes from Steve Cardenas, who plays on two acoustic numbers, and Norah Jones, who sings on the album's only vocal number, "Here I Am" by Ray Charles. The album is produced by Andy Tommasi.

Discography

As guest

References

  1. ↑ California Birth Index
  2. 1 2 Williams, B. http://www.virtualwoodshed.com/jim-campilongo-interview/
  3. ↑ http://www.jimcampilongo.com/about/bio.php jimcampilongo.com
  4. 1 2 Richardson, D. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2006/09/07/derk.DTL#ixzz0xpY5tBMP SF Gate
  5. ↑ http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/artist/jim-campilongo

External links

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