Bio
Bruce Dunlap has played the guitar since age 3. He has captured audiences worldwide with his facile command of the technique and poetry of the acoustic guitar. Having recorded several critically acclaimed CDs (Chesky Records) and a recent CD with the group Medicine Show, Bruce's "shimmering portraits" as Jazz Times called them, often sound like they are being played by more than one guitarist. Bruce draws on jazz, classical and ethnic traditions to create what Jazziz Magazine called "a stirring, intellectually satisfying collection of pieces that have the grace and emotional import of fine poetry."
Bruce has performed and/or recorded with: Kenny Werner, Fred Hersch, Paul McCandless, Howard Levy, Glen Velez, Alan Arkin, Gary Willis, Eddie Daniels, Herbie Mann, Claudia Villela, Simon Shaheen, Kevin Hayes, Mark Copland, Sara K, Dave Grusin, Bob James, Gil Goldstein, Scott Colley, Jamey Haddad, Harvey Mason, Eddie Harris, Grover Washington, Mel Lewis, Airto Moriea, James Newton, Ernie Watts, Alan Pasqua and many others.
Bruce is also the Director of the non-profit GiG Performance Space in Santa Fe. As a concert promoter, Bruce has presented Gary Burton, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Kenny Werner, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Paul McCandless, Art Lande, The Paul Winter Consort, Oscar Castro-Neves, Marc Copland, Kurt Elling, Luciana Souza, Romero Lubambo, Dori Caymmi, Robben Ford, Claudia Villela, Kevin Mahogany, Tuck and Patti, Eric Johnson, Cyrus Chestnut, David Sanchez, Raul Midon, Bill Frisell, Howard Levy, Fred Hersch, Simon Shaheen, Trio de Paz, Eliane Elias, Adam Rogers, The Yellowjackets , George Butler, Herbie Mann, Eddie Daniels, Ravi Coltrane, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Dave Liebman, Danilo Perez, Marc Johnson, Mark Turner, Kevin Mahogany and many others.
Press
"Evocative and spellbinding." The New York Times
“Acoustic jazz guitar played stunningly well… fascinating new compositions." Jim Hall
"His beautifully constructed originals are harmonic in conception, brimming with colorful altered chords that catapult the music into new expressive heights. In the process Dunlap comes up with some unforgettable melodies... The guitarist himself has impressive chops, but you always get the distinct feeling that his virtuosity is in serviceto the music... Dunlap has created a stirring, intellectually satisfying collection of pieces that have the grace and emotional import of fine poetry." JAZZIZ
"Dunlap sculpts a dazzling set of originals. Bringing to bear a supple technique and a gently arcing melodicism, Dunlap evokes shimmering portraits... His sound whether on 6,7,9 or 10 string acoustic guitars is likewise mellow and singing, yet always intense. In sum a tour de force, which should put Dunlap in heady company with the likes of Abercrombie, Metheny and Scofield." Jazz Times
"Bruce Dunlap... used tonal color so vividly that the musical notes felt like wet paint." allaboutjazz.com
"A most amazing guitarist... Dunlap blew the audience's collective mind with a startling display of virtuosity, technical wizardry, and clarity." Jazz Now
"This project exhibits his extraordinary talents in a trio setting displaying Dunlap's pianistic guitar virtuosity." Elusive Disc
"The combination of Dunlap's highly structured orchestration with partially or completely unstructured improvisation, and a fine introspective guitar sound produced a pronounced emotional charge that developed throughout the piece. The excellent accompaniment of the Zagreb Solisti and Dunlap's musical poetics and dynamic lyricism were a great fit." Masa Bogoje Magzan (Croatia)
"Best Contemporary Instrumental Record of the Year." Pulse
"He's a disciplined player with a strong melodic sense and has a wonderful technique but uses it with discretion.... focused compositions with swinging rhythms and tricky chordal patterns... Dunlap's playing has an easy flow and a singing quality with a lot of heart." Downbeat
"10 out of 10... On acoustic guitars of six, seven, nine and ten strings, the guitarist weaves a filigreed fabric of sound... Baffling richness of soundscape and nuance.“ Stereoplay
"The music's complexities simmer below the serenity of its surface, leaving sophisticated, strikingly original material both simple to digest while never being less than accomplished work by a true jazz virtuoso. Bruce enthralls listeners, exploring new boundaries on guitar with fresh ensemble playing." elusivedisc.com
"Bruce Dunlap's fleet fingered, introspective and evocative guitar playing was to me mesmerizing... Elegant and understated... a joy to hear." Stereophile