Fusing the infectious rhythms of Latin/South America with the elements of jazz, Mello creates compositions with memorable melodies, lush harmonies, coupled with some truly irresistible grooves. His playing here has redefined and reshaped the role of the guitar beyond the traditional limits of “Latin Jazz”.
As a player, Mello’s astoundingly singular artistic sensibilities have rendered him a high profile contributor to numerous recordings. On both Nylon and Electric guitars, his carefully woven melodic ideas, innovative harmonies, and mastery of a multitude of “local guitar dialects” define him as a “unique musical voice” in a sea of modern guitar clones. His writing exhibits his passion for vibrant music cultures flowing over an open tributary of modern jazz.

Chris Mello Bio

Born in Boston, MA Chris began playing guitar at 12. Growing up in a Portuguese family, he fell in love with the music of artists such as Tom Jobim, Pat Metheny, John Coltrane, and Brazilian composer Ivan Lins. He went on to formally study the guitar at the University of Massachusetts.
At an early age he began working in the pit orchestras of the Boston scene, in addition to working with orchestral groups such as the MET Wind Orchestra and the Boston Pops. Musically he was drawn to studying and performing with local jazz gurus such as Mick Goodrick, George Garzone, and Rick Peckham in addition to performing with both Brazilian and Salsa groups.
In 1997 he moved to Dallas to complete a Master's degree at the illustrious University of North Texas as a Teaching Fellow in the Jazz Department. While studying he also toured with the 25 year-old Dallas Jazz Orchestra and served as a staff columnist for Just Jazz Guitar Magazine.
In 2000 Chris accepted a teaching fellowship position as a Doctoral Student in the Studio/Jazz Guitar at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. An active performer in the L.A. scene, he has performed/recorded with: Ernie Watts, Norah Jones, Justo Almario, the Dixie Chicks, Jeff Kashiwa, Paul Schaeffer, Kenny Wheeler, Giovanni Hidalgo, Dan Higgins, Bill Cunlife, Bobby Shew, Shelly Berg, and a host of others. Additionally, Chris has recorded for Vh-1, Taco Bell, Verizon Wireless, Latin Grammy Awards, and Disney.
His brand new release?THE GLOBAL VILLAGE?delivers a spectacular musical journey that embraces the guitar as the centerpiece within a tapestry of global musical influences from Cuba to Brazil to Africa. The compositions explore fresh new points of the ?musical compass? while still delivering an unparalleled level of spontaneity, interaction, and virtuosity that one would expect from a modern jazz recording. "Fusing the infectious rhythms of Latin/South America with the elements of jazz, Mello creates compositions with memorable melodies, lush harmonies, coupled with some truly irresistible grooves. His playing here has redefined and reshaped the role of the guitar beyond the traditional limits of ?Latin Jazz?."
As a player, Mello?s astoundingly singular artistic sensibilities have rendered him a high profile contributor to numerous recordings. On both Nylon and Electric guitars, his carefully woven melodic ideas, innovative harmonies, and mastery of a multitude of ?local guitar dialects? define him as a ?unique musical voice? in a sea of modern guitar clones. Adding to this, is Mello's unique knowledge and affinity for Latin string instruments such as Cuban Tres, Cavaquinho, Tiple, Charango, and a host of others. His writing exhibits his passion for vibrant global music cultures flowing over an open tributary of modern jazz. All?in ? all, a thoroughly enjoyable recording for fans of any genre!