Friday, May 4, 2012

Visual Sound Showroom Guests | Craig Sharmat

Visual Sound Showroom Guests | Craig Sharmat
After tracking the night before at Nashville's Ocean Way Studio, Craig Sharmat stopped by the Visual Sound showroom to try the new Dual Tap Delay. Craig's good friend Steven Bliss ( Visual Sound Artist Relations) turns him loose to bring some Jazz flavor! About Craig Sharmat Born in New York City, Craig's earliest musical influences while he was studying classical piano in grade school would have been Prokofiev and Copland. When his love of the guitar transitioned him away from piano, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young would play a separate yet equally important influence. As his guitar playing progressed, he expanded his palette to include John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra and other fusion bands which would lead the way to a passionate appreciation for the styles of players such as Larry Carlton, Pat Metheny and George Benson. Craig began his musical career playing in various bands and Las Vegas showrooms. From there he landed himself the position of guitarist as well as c! onductor for platinum selling jazz saxophonist Ronnie Laws. Soon after, an opportunity to play with top selling jazz vocalist Randy Crawford arose. At this time was also gaining a reputation as more than just a guitarist. In the course of his stints for these jazz artists, Craig developed a keen interest in composing for film and television. He landed his first major gig with the Disney series "Kids Incorporated", where he worked one on one composing and arranging songs for notable actors Brittany ...