Jay Azzolina Trio featuring Jay Azzolina and guests including Kevin Lawlor, at The Sky & The Ground
Jay Azzolina is an American jazz and fusion guitarist known for his work with the Grammy Award-winning group Spyro Gyra. He has also performed and recorded with Carly Simon, Donna Summer, The Manhattan Transfer, Herbie Mann, Rickie Lee Jones, and Chuck Mangione. He is a grammy nominated artist and has enjoyed success as a leader as well as a session player.
Jay was invited to headline Jazz at Johnstown 2025 and performed with the celebrated Wexford Jazz drummer Kevin Lawlor and in demand double bass player Andrew Csibi. The dynamic trio perform original music from Jaz Azzolinas upcoming album release 'Present Tense' as well as some classic jazz repertoire.
The Grammy-nominated guitarist and composer Jay Azzolina (with Truth Revolution Records) released Present Tense, his fifth album as a leader in September 2025. The albums sound challenges jazz conventions, offering a fresh step into modernization. Since relocating to the UK Azzolina has embraced fresh creative collaborations, drawing from the rich musical cultures of Britain and Ireland. Present Tense represents his ongoing exploration as a composer and bandleader, featuring all original material that highlights his evolving harmonic and and textural sensibilities.
• Jazz Improv Magazine called Jay Azzolina “one of the finest and most talented guitarists on the planet."
• London Jazz News review of a live performance states, "Never falling victim to flashy virtuosity, he makes every note he plays count- each one is a rich and shiny pearl of sound enriching to the ear."
• DownBeat magazine, in an article about his album Local Dialect, noted that he "has drawn on a range of diverse musical languages."
• All About Jazz on his album Past Tense, stated: "Jay Azzolina proves there are second acts in American culture. ... From Wes Montgomery to John Scofield's sound, Azzolina plots a course to erase any thoughts of fusion."
• In a review of Carol Welsman's album Alone Together, The International Review of Music praised the "delicate strength of Jay Azzolina's guitar solo."
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