Ron LoCurto

BIO:

“Comparisons to masters like John McLaughlin and even Satriani are quite valid as LoCurto rips through his fretboard with compelling precision.”- Robert Silverstein of 20th Century Guitar

Throughout his career, Ron has performed and recorded with a passion for music that has seen him grow from his early days as a rocker to a musician/composer whose credits are wide ranging in style. His debut recording “Kaleidoscope”, was a sneak peak at the fusion style he would return to on later recordings. Then there was “Talarasa”, an acoustic guitar/Tabla duo that released “West of East”, mixing western jazz with eastern ideas, a la the groundbreaking Indo-Fusion group Shakti. Ron has also worked with singer/songwriter Noa Bursie, handling the guitar duties on her last two albums. Most recently, Ron’s disc “Pattern Seeking Primates” finds him stretching out on that fusion vibe.

Ron’s live performance credits are wide ranging as well, playing countless gigs with bands of all styles. Some highlights have been performing with Avant Garde drummer Bobby Previte’s Voodoo West ensemble; opening solo for Jazz Vocalist Holly Cole; playing with keyboardist Joseph Wooten (Steve Miller Band); performing at various festivals, including the Music is Art Festival, hosted by Goo Goo Dolls bassist, Robby Takac. Back in 2008, Ron spent some time soaking up the vibe in New Orleans, playing in the clubs and on the street, and made an appearance at Voodoo Fest ‘08 with singer/songwriter Sista Otis. These days, Ron performs with his group the Pattern Seeking Primates, with John Bacon on Drums (Don Menza, Bobby Previte, the Buffalo Philharmonic) and Greg Piontek on Bass (Al Tinney, Mose Allison, Joey DiFranscesco). He also plays around town with local rock group Sky, and an up and coming young artist, singer/songwriter Steve Woolsey. You may even catch him doing solo acoustic gigs around town for fun!

Ron has been honored twice as a finalist in the North American Rock Guitar Competition, taking second place in 2006. He was also one of ten guitarists worldwide to be chosen in 2006 for Guitar Player Magazine’s “Guitar Hero” competition in San Francisco, playing for a panel of judges made up of several guitar greats including Joe Satriani and Steve Lukather. He was recently honored at The 2009 Buffalo Music Awards with the title of “Best Original Guitarist.”

Ron still continues to challenge himself musically, with many more performances and recordings in the works, and looks to get the second Pattern Seeking Primates disc out soon…with a guest appearance by drumming legend Vinnie Colauita (Sting, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck)!

PRESS:

“The Jamie Moses Band kept the momentum going, as Moses — handling his usual keyboards as well as vocals in the absence of regular vocalist Caitlin, who was away in Los Angeles performing for Simon Cowell’s “X Factor” — pushed through blues-based numbers, each of them highlighted by the jaw-dropping skills of guitarist Ron LoCurto, clearly one of the finest pickers Buffalo can claim.” ~Jeff Miers (Pop Music Critic Buffalo News)

“Guitarist, Ron Locurto… employs both soft and Iyrical touches, as well as rollercoaster fast, singularly picked flourishes. Locurto’s fast and articulate technique is reminiscent of guitarist extraordinaire, John McLaughlin. Like McLaughlin, no matter what the tempo, Locurto’s playing always sounds fluid and effortless, even at breakneck speeds.” (Buffalo Beat)

“Buffalo native Ron LoCurto grew up on a diet of jazz, classical and rock music and he combines them to great effect on his 2005 CD Pattern Seeking Primates. From complex Zappa-inspired fusion to a more urbane inner city vibe that cuts hard and fast, LoCurto displays some mighty impressive guitar procedures. Supported by Jack Kulp (bass) and John Bacon, Jr. (drums), LoCurto also turns to his rock side on the jazzy, fuzzed out Hendrix styled wah-wah groove of the lead off track “Super Bad.” Further comparisons to masters like John McLaughlin and even Satriani are quite valid as LoCurto rips through his fretboard with compelling precision.” (Robert Silverstein, 20th Century Guitar)

“Guitarist extraordinaire Ron LoCurto has a new CD out titled Pattern Seeking Primates. Playing a melodic jazz/rock fusion style, LoCurto is surrounded by the solid rhythm section of Jack Kulp on bass and John Bacon Jr. on drums. His guitar playing places more emphasis on hitting the right note and not on the million notes a minute method while his solos tend to be adventurous, sparse and fluid and never of the showboating style of many guitarists. Highlights include “Pentatonic Morning”, the reggae-fied “Willow Wisp” and “Coolness.” (Bob Silvestri, BestOfWNY.com)

Offical Website:
RonLoCurto.com