Artist description Al plays 4, 5, and 6 string fretted and fretless basses and various 6 string electric and acoustic guitars. He uses digital technology to record, compose, and perform music and plays a guitar synthesizer to gain access to sounds usually unavailable to string players. Al uses this varied sonic palette to create a wide variety of moods and textures.

Music Style Jazz/Fusion, Progressive Rock, World Music

Musical Influences Allan Holdsworth, J.S. Bach, Charlie Parker, Eric Johnson, Jaco Pastorious, Jeff Berlin, and pianist Bill Evans.

Similar Artists Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Berlin, Victor Wooten, Al Dimeola, Jaco Pastorius

Artist History Born in Newark, NJ, Alfred began playing the bass guitar at the age of 13. He was influenced early on by Jack Bruce and Felix Papalardi, two bass visionaries who helped expand the role of the bass guitar in rock music. His musical horizons were broadened to include Jazz, Classical, and Indian music after hearing John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Later on, the music of Allan Holdsworth inspired Alfred to take up the electric guitar as a means of expressing another side of his musical persona.

Group Members Al Garcia

Instruments Guitar, Bass

Albums Al Garcia: Make It So, Quarteto Nuevo:El Musico, Continuum: You Tell Me

Press Reviews "Once in a long while something will cross our desks here that really captures the imagination as to what could be thought of as the perfect balance of a 'bass album' and a 'songwriter's album'. Al Garcia strikes pretty close to that ideal with his newest release, entitled Make it So. Now, this guy has got to be one of the best-kept secrets in the bass world. Killer chops and with a flawless sense of understatement ... it is a simple fact that his album Make it So is, due to its many strengths, one of the best CD's we have yet encountered in this magazine's life to date. Highly recommended! " Bass Inside Magazine ( Warren Murchie) "Impeccable bass, soaring guitar, lush synth tones, ethnic percussion, and tasty drumming can all be found on Al Garcia's solo release Make It So. Al Garcia is a master bassist, and this is the best CD I have heard in quite a while... Ladies and Gentlemen, I am stunned. I cannot say enough good things about this CD. Buy it. Now!" Bassically.net (Scott Hubbell) "Guitarist Al Garcia shows us that Fusion Jazz is far from dead... It is the kind of Jazz that will take you away on it’s storied journey." ContemporaryJazz.com "Al Garcia is a master of the bass guitar, and he uses it to great advantage on this original collection of songs he composed. The music has wide appeal and will be enjoyable by all jazz groups. His technique for playing is flawless, and he makes every note soar with beauty. If you want something new in contemporary jazz sounds, take several listens to Al Garcia's performances in the collection MAKE IT SO. Top performances by one of the fine young guitars now performing. Likeable. Unique. " JazzReview.com (Lee Prosser) ... he weaves tasteful tendrils of fusion heat without kissing the sneakers of Jaco and Stanley. An excellent offering from an artist to watch. All About Jazz (Todd Jenkins) "Rarely have I heard a musician that can double on the bass and guitar with the proficiency that I am hearing from Al Garcia... If you are a lover of the bass, jazzfusion, and Holdsworthian guitar, Al Garcia has a cd for you to check out..." Prognosis Web Site (MJ Brady)

Location Burbank, CA - USA

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