press: biography: guitarists

NORMAN LEARO (b.f.a.,dip.ed.,m.a.) GUITARIST/COMPOSER/PRODUCER
the guitar, and originality, are evident
whether one hears Norman’s virtuosic
linear jazz soloing, fusion, rock, blues or
solo finger style on classical guitar.
89 HARPER RD.
MIRAMICHI, N.B.
CANADA E1N-4R7
TEL/FAX: 506-622-3383
GUITARISTS :
LIONA BOYD : “ I find Norman
Learo’s compositions most
expressive and original. I am
impressed with the wide range of
styles... the guitar world needs
more composers like him”.
RAK: “...Norman
Learo’s “Images of Africa” is a
brilliant composition...”
STEPHAN
MICHEL
CARDIN: ” Norman
Learo’s compositions are vivid,
colorful and captivating. His
hyper-virtuosic guitar style is
supported by a deep
musicianship.”
P R E S S:
BOB MERSEREAU (CBC
Music Critic): Delicacy &
aggression, subtletly & intensity,
soul & passion, all coming within
seconds on each song. The next
step in Flamenco.” (Spanish Spirit)
____________________
RON FOLEY MACDONALD
(Music Critic): “ Eclectic
Measures is a fascinating
collection of instrumental textures
from bagpipe-like squalls to
flamenco meltdowns...”it’s clear
Learo can do just about anything...”
____________________________
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT: “
...an amazing display of guitar
wizardry and virtuosity...
____________________________
MIRAMICHI LEADER: “...Mr.
Music...when it comes to making
music Learo has a wide- ranging
imagination...”
____________________________
THE GAZETTE: “ ...accessible,
imaginative...”
____________________________
THE CHRONICLE: “...gifted
musician and composer...clever
blending of lines and rhythm
patterns...”
____________________________
LE MATIN” “ Une musique...tres
interestante pour de Jeunes
musiciens qui vivent avec leur
temps...”
www.normanlearo.com
BIOGRAPHY:
MUSIC DESCRIPTION: Jim
Kuehnel, “Jimmy K Talent” : “....Norman
Learo cannot be categorized, unless you
want to create a new category and simply
call it brilliant...” Music critics, renowned
musicians and listeners alike have
commented on Norman’s individual and
diverse style of instrumental compositions,
they include: Highly original, widely
immaginative, evoking vivid imagery,
captivating, expressive and accessible, to
name but a few.
EDUCATION: A graduate from
Concordia (B,F.A.), and McGill Universities
(M.A. Dip.Ed.) from Montreal, Canada., and
recipient of 2 Scholarships to the Banff
School of Fine Arts studying under
eminent artists and composers; John
Abercrombie, Lee Konitz, Kenny Wheeler,
Dave Holland, and Don Thompson. Also,
attending master guitar classes/workshops
with Joe Pass, Leo Brower, Stephan Rak and
David Russell.
ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS:
In 1999-- selected among the top 5 finalists
in the “East Coast Guitarist of the Year
Competition”, ... 1986-- among the top 5
finalists representing Eastern Canada in the
Canadian National Jazz Competition,..
2004-- chosen as Composer and Musical
Director for the Canadian Vaudeville Co...
2004-- Voted #1 guitar teacher in
Miramichi Leader’s reader poll... 2000-Norman’s “New Brew” chosen for CBC’s
“Mainstreet” radio theme (2000-2005).
PERFORMER: Norman’s
performing experience covers a variety of
events including TV, radio, clubs, festivals
and concert appearances, spanning over 3
decades from his early start performing rock
music at age 15 with the celebrated Donald
K. Donald agency in Montreal... to guest
soloist appearances with renowned jazz
pianist and Juno winner Oliver Jones... to
solo classical guitar performances for
visiting dignitaries including Premier
Bernard Lord. etc... His diverse command of
COMPOSER: Associate
Composer with the Canadian Music
Centre (CMC). As a Composer, Norman
has been commissioned by classical
guitarists and groups for TV, radio,
recordings and concert appearances. His
compositions have been performed and
studied by classical guitarists at the
University of Moncton since 1989,
including featured concerts devoted
exclusively to his guitar compositions.
As the composer for the Canadian
Vaudeville Co. Norman wrote extremely
diverse and descriptive music for dance
groups, magic acts, juggling acts, and
acrobatic routines covering a wide range
of musical periods and instrumentation
dating from 1900 to 2004.
RADIO : Nornan’s theme music for
CBC’s “Mainstreet” (Provincial daily
program) is now in it’s 5th year
representing thousands of theme
broadcasts to date. His interviews and
musical performances on national and
regional programs for both CBC and
Radio-Canada include: “Jazzbeat”,
“Saturday Spotlight”, “Prelude”,
“MainStreet”, “Au Rhythmie
D’Atlantique”, “Entre Les Deux Oreilles”,
“Les Jeunes Artists”, 3 separate
recordings (national broadcasts) for “Les
Grandes Concerts”, etc...
TELEVISION: Norman’s video
“New Brew” has aired on Bravo TV! and
MTV-2. Furthermore, he has been
featured on CBC’s “Variety”, ATV’s “New
Faces”, CBC’s “Ce Soir Plus”, Vision TV’s
“Steeple Chasing” etc...
PRODUCER: Operating his own
recording studio “Sonic Visions” for over
a decade and devoting himself to “stateof-the-art” recording and production
techniques while producing original
music for different media and venues
including his 4th and latest CD “Spanish
Spirit”.
INSTRUMENTS PLAYED:
Electric guitar, classical guitar, 10 string
classical, acoustic steel string , electric
bass & fretless, drums, percussion,
keyboard synthesizer, midi-windinstruments.
D I S C O G R A P H Y:
*SPANISH SPIRIT -2005
*CHRISTMAS GUITARS -1999
*ECLECTIC MEASURES -1998
*SONIC VISIONS -1990