Table of Contents
Search Al Di Meola’ best sheet music, books, and transcriptions in the Library:
| Artist or Composer / Score name | Cover or sample | Contents (if available)* |
|---|---|---|
| Al Di Meola – Guitar Technique SongBook with Tablature |  | Al Di Meola – Guitar technique SongBook |
| Al Di Meola A Guide To Guitar Chords Scales And Arpeggios Master Classes With Bob Aslanian |  | Al Di Meola A Guide To Guitar Chords Scales And Arpeggios Master Classes With Bob Aslanian |
| Al Di Meola Collection Music Words Pictures Artist Transcriptions Guitar |  | Al Di Meola Collection Music Words Pictures Artist Transcriptions Guitar — al di meola collection songbook |
| Al Di Meola Enigma Of Desire (Guitar) |  | |
| Al Di Meola Guitar School Elegant Gypsy Songbook with Tablature |  | Al Di Meola Guitar School Elegant Gypsy Songbook |
| Al Di Meola Guitar Tabs Songbook Electric Rendezvous |  | Al Di Meola Guitar Tabs Songbook Electric Rendezvous |
| Al Di Meola Solace (Guitar) | Al Di Meola Solace (Guitar) | |
| Al Di Meola Solos by Dan Towey with Tablature |  | Al Di Meola Solos by Dan Towey with Tablature — al di meola solos |
| Al Di Meola Super Guitarist Guitar Tabs Songbook |  | Al Di Meola Super Guitarist Guitar Tabs Songbook |
| Al Di Meola When Youre Gone | Al Di Meola When Youre Gone | |
| Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Paco De Lucia – Friday Night in San Francisco (Guitar with Chords) |  | Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Paco De Lucia – Friday Night in San Francisco Contents |
| Al di Meola’s Picking Techniques by Al di Meola |  |
Libertango (Astor Piazzolla) – Al Di Meola (Guitar)
- Al Di Meola – guitarra
- Mario Parmisano – piano
- Ernie Adams – batería
- Gumbi Ortiz – percusión
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Al Di Meola is an American guitarist, composer, and bandleader, widely regarded as one of the most influential and technically accomplished jazz guitarists of all time. He is especially notable for redefining the possibilities of jazz fusion guitar, combining extreme technical precision with strong rhythmic drive and a deep interest in world music.
Who is Al Di Meola?
- Full name: Albert Laurence Di Meola
- Born: July 22, 1954, in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
- Genres: Jazz fusion, jazz, Latin jazz, world music, progressive rock
- Primary instruments: Electric and acoustic guitar
Di Meola rose to international prominence in the mid-1970s, first as a member of Chick Corea’s Return to Forever, and then through a highly successful solo career.
Why is Al Di Meola so notable in jazz guitar?
1. Revolutionary Technical Precision
Di Meola is famous for his astonishing right-hand picking accuracy, especially at very high speeds. His clean articulation, alternate picking, and rhythmic clarity set new technical standards for electric guitarists.
- Extremely fast 16th-note lines with perfect definition
- Metronomic time feel
- Virtuosic control without sloppiness
Many guitarists consider him one of the benchmarks for technical excellence on the instrument.
2. A Key Figure in Jazz Fusion
Jazz fusion blends jazz harmony with rock energy and rhythms. Di Meola became one of the genre’s defining voices in the 1970s.
- Joined Return to Forever at just 19 years old
- Played on landmark albums like:
- Where Have I Known You Before (1974)
- No Mystery (1975) – Grammy winner
- Romantic Warrior (1976)
His playing helped bring jazz guitar into arena-sized venues, influencing countless musicians.
3. Iconic Solo Albums
Al Di Meola’s solo career produced some of the most important guitar albums ever recorded.
Key albums:
- Land of the Midnight Sun (1976)
- Elegant Gypsy (1977) – often cited as his masterpiece
- Casino (1978)
- Splendido Hotel (1980)
Tracks like “Race with Devil on Spanish Highway” and “Mediterranean Sundance” became guitar standards.
4. Integration of Latin and World Music
One of Di Meola’s most lasting contributions is his fusion of jazz with Latin, flamenco, and Mediterranean influences.
- Complex odd meters and syncopated rhythms
- Spanish, Arabic, and North African melodic elements
- Percussive acoustic guitar techniques
This global approach greatly expanded jazz guitar’s expressive vocabulary.
5. Legendary Acoustic Trio (with McLaughlin & De Lucía)
In the early 1980s, Di Meola formed an acoustic trio with:
- John McLaughlin
- Paco de Lucía
Their live album:
- Friday Night in San Francisco (1981)
became one of the best-selling instrumental guitar albums ever, showcasing breathtaking interplay, speed, and musical communication.
Paco de Lucía & Al Di Meola – Mediterranean Sundance (Leverkusener Jazztage 2010)
6. Compositional Sophistication
Di Meola is not just a virtuoso soloist—he is a strong composer.
- Uses modal harmony and pedal points
- Blends jazz harmony with classical and flamenco forms
- Writes rhythmically complex, tightly arranged compositions
His music balances technical challenge with memorable melodic content.
7. Long-Lasting Influence
Al Di Meola influenced generations of guitarists across genres:
- Jazz fusion and jazz guitarists
- Progressive rock and metal players
- Acoustic and world-music guitarists
Artists frequently cite him alongside John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Allan Holdsworth, and Larry Coryell as one of the pillars of modern jazz guitar.
Al Di Meola is notable because he:
- Set new standards for technical precision and speed
- Helped define jazz fusion guitar
- Successfully merged jazz with Latin and world music
- Created timeless recordings that continue to inspire musicians
He is not just a fast guitarist—he is a composer, innovator, and global musical voice whose work reshaped what jazz guitar could be.
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