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"Gary
Allegretto is one of the classiest acts in the music
business today, working only with the best backup
musicians and taking the time to craft music noted
not only for its quality but for its authenticity.
...intimately honest, and what's best about his
genuineness is its completely offhand quality. If
someone complains to you that they don't make "real"
blues records anymore - albums that sound like lost
classics yet retain the freshness of an individual -
play (Gary's new CD) Many Shades of Blue for them."
~Blues Revue Magazine
A down-to-earth guy with lifelong wanderlust and
more than a few stories to tell, Gary Allegretto’s
resume reads like a men's adventure wish-list:
back-country forest ranger, forest firefighter on a
"Hotshot" crew, LA city firefighter, "bouncer” in a
couple rough honky-tonks and a Blues bar, cowboy and
ranch hand, beach lifeguard, white-water rafting
guide… and traveling Bluesman. He's a summa cum
laude university graduate. He’s also the founding
director of Harmonikids, an organization that gives
music therapy with harmonicas to special needs kids worldwide. Through it all,
Gary can barely remember a time when Blues weren't a powerful part of
his life, and playing harmonica wasn't as natural as his own voice. He started
playing upon receiving his first harp at age 5 from his woodsman grandfather.
Soon after, while attending a cultural festival he carelessly wandered away from
his family… and into a Big Walter Horton performance. As the loudspeakers blared
something about a lost child, he knew he’d found his calling… and he followed.
Down the road, Allegretto has performed on stages
worldwide and his music has been featured on film
and television. His songs can be found on the
soundtrack of the national PBS television program "Roadtrip
Nation". Gary was recently filmed and interviewed
for the harmonica documentary film "Pocket Full Of
Soul" (see www.pocketfullofsoulmovie.com). He has
performed nationally & internationally either
acoustically or with his all-star electric back-up
band. His captivating performances never fail to
catch the intrigue of his audiences, often including
and
prominent musicians and occasionally
celebrities. He has received awards for his
harmonica playing and is endorsed by Hohner, the
world's top harmonica manufacturer.
Renowned for his versatile technique, Allegretto has
taught harmonica in prestigious workshops including
the Augusta Heritage Center's Blues Week, Telluride
Blues Camp, Riverfront Blues Festival, California
Traditional Music Society's Folk Festival, & John
Gindick's Harmonica Jam Camp, the Folk Alliance
Conference and Stax Music Academy in Memphis. He is
supported as a Blues educator by the Blues
Foundation's "Blues in The Schools" program, and was
invited to teach students in
 Memphis
area schools as part of the 2008 International Blues Challenge. In addition to
his captivating performances, Allegretto offers concert promoters the unique
option and opportunity to provide entertaining harmonica workshops at their
venues.
workshops
include new
harmonicas & lessons for folks of all ages and ability levels ~ a rare opportunity to learn from a
professional.
Allegretto recorded with 2005 Grammy Life-time Acheivement Award winner and Blues legend Pinetop
Perkins on Rich Del Grosso's Blues Music Award
nominated CD release. At the conclusion of the
CD release
gig Pinetop gave Gary
the ultimate personal endorsement exclaiming that he "can really blow that
harp!", and then as he left the stage he turned and deliberately pointed
directly to Gary saying "You keep the business going." In Gary's words, "This
was from an idol of mine, a legendary man who played
with Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Little Walter, and
many other ultimate legends of the Blues. My heart
stopped and I just said...yes sir."
Allegretto's FIRST CD release “Throwing Heat” has
been heralded by prominent blues critics, calling it
refreshing, edgy, and honest…with original writing
and virtuoso performances that transcend the blues
stereotypes…a testimony to the “many shades of the
blues”.
In fact, Gary's new CD is entitled "Many Shades of
Blue". As the title suggests, it's all here: rockin',
swampy, greasy, Piedmont ~ delivered with inspired
musicianship & engaging songs that tell stories ~
featuring prominent artists including Ivan Neville,
multiple Blues Award winner Janiva Magness, National
Heritage Award winning Bluesman John Cephas and
renowned Bluesmen Doug Macleod and Rich DelGrosso.
GARY'S CD'S ARE AVAILABLE AT CD Baby by clicking:
http://cdbaby.com/mp3lofi/garyallegretto-06.m3u.
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