James Campilongo

Billboard Magazine has called Jim Campilongo "an American treasure" while The New Yorker raved that "few guitarists capture the nuances, as well as Campilongo, does." Those accolades have deservedly been earned over the course of a career that now sees Campilongo celebrating the release of his tenth album of original material, Dream Dictionary, on iTunes, Amazon, and fine record stores everywhere on January 21, 2014.

The prolific Bammie-winner Campilongo has been a formidable presence as a guest on dozens of recordings by other artists as well, including a contribution to Cake's million-selling Prolonging the Magic to (most recently) providing lead guitar for Martha Wainwright, Teddy Thompson, and the Little Willies, Campilongo's band with Norah Jones. He's performed or recorded alongside JJ Cale, Nels Cline, Pete Townsend, Bright Eyes, Burning Spear, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, and Peter Rowan to name a few.

Campilongo has also made repeat appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan, Jools Holland, and Abbey Road Sessions (both BBC) and has been interviewed on many major radio shows.

Additionally, Campilongo is a published guitar teacher and contributing editor to Guitar Player Magazine. His virtuosity and originality has inspired a generation of guitar players and his songwriting, which draws from blues, country, jazz, and rock boasts a sensitivity and wit that has also earned him a broad fan base most instrumental guitarist never enjoy.

In 2012 Fender Guitars bestowed upon him the honor of launching the Campilongo Signature Telecaster, a high-quality instrument made by Fender's elite Custom Shop.

Since 2005 the Jim Campilongo Electric Trio has performed every Monday at NYC's Living Room. Time Out New York recommended the show as "one of the city's strongest," and proclaimed, "Monday night means Jim Campilongo." Over the years, several notable artists have attended his residency, including Emmy Lou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Michael Tilson Thomas, Lou Reed, Linda Thompson, Jim Jarmusch, and Patrick Stewart. Since November 2013, his celebrated weekly residency now takes place at Rockwood Music Hall (NYC).

"New York has no shortage of guitar heroes but few cover as many bases as Jim Campilongo…He reveals a range that extends from seductive country-swing to atmospheric jazz and well beyond." – Time Out New York

"Through the lean ropy sound of his Fender Telecaster, Mr. Campilongo connects American styles in a sly knowing way." – The New York Times

"Campilongo is one of those New York secrets. A master of the electric guitar, he weaves in spaghetti western picks, blues chords, and jazz refs into his haunting tunes, a combo of originals and covers." – NY Post

"An engaging improviser whose interest in entertainment is equal to his interest in art. His supple moves can keep an audience enthralled—meaning their asses wiggle and their minds jiggle." – Village Voice

"You've got the makings of a very twisted guitar hero who deserves worshipping. Clever, crafty, quirky and cool." – Jazz Times