SF / NY Guitar Trio — Friday Night in Palo Alto （Fri 4/24 - 8pm) at Meyhouse Jazz

Three distinct guitar voices come together for an evening of high-energy interplay and cross-genre exploration.


The SF ⇌ NY Guitar Trio brings together acoustic nylon, steel-string, and archtop guitars in a program shaped by improvisation, rhythm, and contrast. Drawing from the legacy of McLaughlin, Di Meola, and De Lucia, the trio moves fluidly between flamenco, jazz, and gypsy traditions—while weaving in elements of rock, pop, and contemporary sound.


The program includes reimagined takes on works such as Chick Corea’s Spain and Tom Petty’s Breakdown, alongside original compositions by the trio—each piece opening space for dialogue, spontaneity, and individual voice....

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Three distinct guitar voices come together for an evening of high-energy interplay and cross-genre exploration.


The SF ⇌ NY Guitar Trio brings together acoustic nylon, steel-string, and archtop guitars in a program shaped by improvisation, rhythm, and contrast. Drawing from the legacy of McLaughlin, Di Meola, and De Lucia, the trio moves fluidly between flamenco, jazz, and gypsy traditions—while weaving in elements of rock, pop, and contemporary sound.


The program includes reimagined takes on works such as Chick Corea’s Spain and Tom Petty’s Breakdown, alongside original compositions by the trio—each piece opening space for dialogue, spontaneity, and individual voice.


Alex Skolnick


Best known as a founding member of Bay Area thrash metal band Testament, Alex Skolnick has built a parallel career as a jazz improviser shaped by his studies at The New School in New York.


His playing reflects a wide musical range—from lyrical chord melodies to more exploratory, high-energy textures. As DownBeat noted, he “runs the gamut from lush chord melodies to Wes Montgomery-style octaves to more free, expressive sounds,” while Making Music described him as an artist who “defies categorization by musical genre.”


Whether performing on major international stages or in more intimate listening rooms, Skolnick brings a sense of curiosity and openness to each setting—rooted in tradition, yet never confined by it.

https://alexskolnick.com/


Ron Jackson


A versatile and globally active jazz guitarist, Ron Jackson has performed, recorded, and taught in over 30 countries, with collaborations including Taj Mahal, Benny Golson, and Mulgrew Miller.


Known for his refined touch and stylistic range, Jackson moves comfortably between roles as performer, composer, and arranger. As saxophonist Ron Blake described, he is “the consummate musician… a great composer, arranger, and versatile player who brings the right elements to a project.”


Grounded in decades of experience within New York’s jazz scene, his playing balances clarity, groove, and a deep understanding of the tradition.


https://ronjacksonmusic.com/


George Cole


Bay Area–based guitarist George Cole is recognized for his broad musical voice, spanning gypsy jazz, the Great American Songbook, rhythm & blues, and original compositions.


A former touring guitarist with mandolinist David Grisman, Cole brings a strong sense of melody, swing, and stage presence. Grisman noted that Cole is “a major guitar talent who plays everything from gypsy jazz to rhythm & blues,” highlighting his versatility across styles.


With an approach that combines accessibility and musicianship, Cole’s performances are both engaging and rooted in a deep respect for the tradition.

www.GEORGECOLE.net

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