A wunderkind who joined RTF in the mid-seventies and has only improved with age. He is unquestionably a living legend and arguably the greatest guitarist of his era.
Di Meola joined Chick Corea’s jazz fusion outfit, Return To Forever, at the age of 19 and soon established himself as an electric guitarist with few peers. Although sounding tentative on his first album with the band, Where Have I Known You Before (1974), Di Meola emerged as a key contributor on No Mystery (1975) and Romantic Warrior (1976). He wasted little time in launching his own solo career, releasing Land of The Midnight Sun (1976) on Columbia Records. That album continued in the progressive rock/fusion style of RTF while introducing Di Meola’s interest in Latin and classicial music. Elegant Gypsy (1977) and Casino (1978) followed, featuring the same core group of Mingo Lewis on percussion, Steve Gadd on drums, Barry Miles on keyboards and Anthony Jackson on bass guitar. The first four Di Meola albums stand as some of the best guitar jazz/rock fusion records of their day.
In the 1980s, Di Meola began to split his time between electric and acoustic guitar. Joining Paco De Lucia and John McLaughlin, Di Meola released two albums of acoustic guitar that indulged a shared passion for Flamenco music: the live Friday Night In San Francisco (1981) and Passion, Grace & Fire (1983). In the mid 80s, Di Meola moved from Columbia to the EMI Manhattan label and began making records that reflected the burgeoning interest in new age/world music. Since then, he has recorded for a variety of labels including Rhino, Tomato and Telarc.
In the 90s, Di Meola began to take his interest in tango music further by frequently performing works written by Ástor Piazzolla. Heart of The Immigrants (1993), Di Meola Plays Piazzolla (1996) and Diabolic Inventions And Seduction For Solo Guitar (2007) prominently feature Piazzolla compositions alongside Di Meola’s own interpretations of tango.
The Discography
LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN (1976)
The Wizard / Land of The Midnight Sun / Sarabande From Violin Sonata In B Minor / Love Theme From “Pictures of The Sea” // Suite – Golden Dawn: Morning Fire – Calmer of The Tempests – From Ocean To The Clouds / Short Tales of The Black Forest. Released on elpee and cassette in 1976 in the US (Columbia, PC/PCT-34074) and the UK (CBS, S-81220); reached #139 on the US charts and #13 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on CD in the US (Sony, 34074) and Japan (Sony, SRCS-9180).
ELEGANT GYPSY (1977)
Flight Over Rio / Midnight Tango / Mediterranean Sundance / Race With The Devil On Spanish Highway / Lady of Rome – Sister of Brazil / Elegant Gypsy Suite. Released on elpee in March 1977 in the US (Columbia, PC-34461), the UK and Netherlands (CBS, 81845) and Japan (CBS/Sony, 25AP-540); reached #58 on the US charts and #5 on the US Jazz charts (RIAA certified gold record). Re-released on elpee in Japan (CBS/Sony, 25AP-900). Re-released on CD in the US (Columbia, 34461), on digitally remastered CD on March 23, 2001 in Japan (Sony, SRCS-9655) and on super-audio CD on August 2, 2002 in Japan (Sony).
CASINO (1978)
Egyptian Danza / Chasin The Voodoo / Dark Eye Tango // Senor Mouse / Fantasia Suite For Two Guitars: Viva La Danzarina – Guitars of The Exotic Isle – Rhapsody Italia – Bravoto Fantasia / Casino. Released on elpee in April 1978 in the US (Columbia, JC-35277) and the UK (CBS, 82645); reached #52 on the US charts and #5 on the US Jazz charts. Original elpee featured picture innersleeve. Re-released on CD in the US (Columbia, 47482).
SPLENDIDO HOTEL (1980)
Alien Chase On Arabian Desert / Silent Story / Roller Jubilee / Two To Tango / Al Di’s Dream Theme / Dinner Music of The Gods / Splendido Sundance / I Can Tell / Spanish Eyes / Isfahan / Bianca’s Midnight Lullaby. Released on 2LP in June 1980 in the US (Columbia, C2X-36270) and Japan (CBS, 40AP-1891/2) with gatefold cover; reached #119 on the US charts and #8 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on digitally remastered CD on March 1, 2008 in the US (Columbia).
Roller Jubilee (1980)
b/w Splendido Sundance. Released on 12-inch single in 1980 in the UK (CBS, SCBS-138803) and as 3-track 12-inch in 1980 in the US (Columbia, 12C-48407) featuring “Dinner Music of The Gods” and “Silent Story In Her Eyes.” Also released as one-track promotional 7-inch single in 1980 in the US (Columbia, 1-11303).
Spanish Eyes (1980)
b/w I Can Tell. Released as promotional 7-inch single in 1980 in the US (Columbia, 1-11386).
FRIDAY NIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO (1981)
Live tracks: Mediterranean Sundance – Rio Ancho / Short Tales of The Black Forest / Frevo Rasgado / Fantasia Suite / Guardian Angel. Co-credited to Paco De Lucia and John McLaughlin and released on elpee in 1981 in the UK (CBS, CBS-84962) and Japan (CBS/Sony, 25AP-2035); reached #97 on the US charts and #6 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on 180g vinyl elpee in the US (Columbia Mastersound, HC-47152) and in 1988 in Germany (Speakers Corner, 6302137). Re-released on CD in the US (Columbia Mastersound, CK-53926) and in 1997 in the US (Columbia, CK-65168).
ELECTRIC RENDEZVOUS (1982)
God Bird Change / Electric Rendezvous / Passion Grace & Fire / Cruisin’ / Black Cat Shuffle / Ritmo de La Noche / Somalia / Jewel Inside A Dream. Released on elpee in January 1982 in the US (Columbia, FCA-37654) and Japan (CBS/Sony, 25AP-2266); reached #55 on the US charts and #3 on the US Jazz charts.
TOUR DE FORCE – “LIVE” (1982)
Live tracks: Elegant Gypsy Suite / Nena / Advantage / Egyptian Danza / Race With Devil On Spanish Highway / Cruisin’. Released on elpee in 1982 in the US (Columbia, FC-38373); reached #165 on the US charts and #8 on the US Jazz charts.
THE GUITARIST (1982)
Mediterranean Sundance / Spanish Eyes / Short Tales of The Black Forest / Fantasia Suite For Two Guitars // The Wizard / Roller Jubilee / Chasin’ The Voodoo / Al Di’s Dream Theme. Compilation released on elpee in 1982 in the Netherlands (CBS, 54425).
PASSION, GRACE & FIRE (1983)
Aspan / Oriente Azul / Chiquito // Sichia / David / Passion, Grace & Fire. Co-credited to Paco De Lucia and John McLaughlin, released on elpee, cassette and compact disc on March 23, 1983 in the US and Canada (Columbia, FC/FCT/CK-38645), Australia and the Netherlands (Philips, 811 334-1/4/2) and Japan (CBS, 38DP-78); reached #171 on the US charts and #9 on the US Jazz charts. Re-issued on compact disc on February 1, 1997 in Japan (Sony, SRCS-9174). Re-released on K2HD remastered compact disc in 2014 in Japan (Sony).
SCENARIO (1983)
Mata Hari / African Night / Island Dreamer / Scenario / Sequencer / Cachaca / Hypnotic Conviction / Calliope / Scoundrel. Released on elpee in September 1983 in the US (Columbia, FC-38944) and the UK (CBS, 25718); reached #128 on the US charts and #8 on the US Jazz charts.
Sequencer (1983)
b/w Sequencer (dub version). Released on 12-inch in 1983 in the US (Columbia, 44-04945).
CIELO E TERRA (1985)
Traces of A Tear / Vertigo Shadow / Cielo E Terra / Enigma of Desire / Atavism of Twilight / Coral / When You’re Gone / Etude / Solace. Released on elpee in 1985 in the US (Manhattan, ST-53002); reached #18 on the US Jazz charts. Re-packaged w. SOARING THROUGH A DREAM + TIRAMI SU on digitally remastered 2CD on May 2, 2009 in the US (101 Distribution).
SOARING THROUGH A DREAM (1985)
Capoeira / Traces (of A Tear) / Broken Heart / July / Marina / Soaring Through A Dream. Credited to Al Di Meola Project and released on elpee in 1985 in the US (Manhattan, ST-53011); reached #14 on the US Jazz charts.
July (edit version) (1985)
Released as a one-track promotional 7-inch single in 1985 in the US (Manhattan, PB-50015).
RHAPSODY OF FIRE: THE BEST OF AL DI MEOLA (1986)
Rhapsody of Fire / July / Ballad / Cielo E Terra / Solace / When You’re Gone. Compilation released on elpee in 1986 in Japan (EMI Manhattan, MHS-63053).
TIRAMI SU (1987)
Beijing Demons / Arabella / Smile From A Stranger / Rhapsody of Fire / Song To The Pharoah Kings / Andonea / Maraba / Song With A View. Released on elpee and cassette in 1987 in the US (Manhattan, 96995/46995); reached #190 on the US charts and #14 on the US Jazz charts.
WORLD SINFONIA (1991)
Perpetual Emotion / Orient Blue / Tango Suite Part I / Tango Suite Part III / Falling Grace / Last Tango For Astor / No Mystery / Lustrine / Little Cathedral / La Cathedral. Released on CD in August 1991 in the US (Rhino, 79750); reached #10 on the US Jazz charts.
KISS MY AXE (1991)
South Bound Traveler / Embrace / Kiss My Axe / Morocco / Gigi’s Playtime Rhyme (Interlude #1) / One Night Last June / Phantom / Erotic Interlude (Interlude #2) / Global Safari / Interlude #3 / Purple Orchids / Prophet (Interlude #4) / Oriana (September 24, 1988). Released on CD on November 19, 1991 in the US (Rhino, 79751)’ reached #2 on the US Jazz charts.
THE BEST OF AL DI MEOLA: THE MANHATTAN YEARS (1992)
July / Traces (of A Tear) / Maraba / Song To The Pahroah Kings / Etude / Rhapsody of Fire / Coral / Beijing Demons / Ballad. Compilation released on CD on November 3, 1992 in the US (Blue Note, 80504).
HEART OF THE IMMIGRANTS (1993)
Nightclub (1960) / Vistaero / Carousel Requiem / Tango II / Under A Dark Moon / Bordel 1900 / Indigo / Heru Mertar – Don’t Go So Far Away / Parranda / Someday My Prince Will Come / Café 1930 / They Love Me From Fifteen Feet Away / Milonga Del Angel. Released on CD in 1993 in the US (Tomato); reached #15 on the US Jazz charts.
ORANGE AND BLUE (1994)
Paradisio / Chilean Pipe Song / Ta’alina Chant / Orange And Blue / This Way Before / Summer Country Song / If We Meet Again, Parts I & II / Cyprus / Theme of The Mothership / Precious Little You / Casmir / On My Own. Released on CD in 1994 in the US (Tomato); reached #17 on the US Jazz charts.
THE ESSENCE OF AL DI MEOLA (1994)
Egyptian Danza / Mata Hari / Electric Rendezvous / Passion, Grace And Fire / Race With The Devil on Spanish Highway / Senor Mouse / Dark Eye Tango / Mediterranean Sundance / Two To Tango. Compilation released on CD on July 21, 1994 in the US (Columbia Legacy, CK 52920).
THE RITE OF STRINGS (1995)
Indigo / Renaissance / Song To John / Chilean Pipe Song / Topanga / Morocco / Change of Life / La Cancion De Sofia / Memory Canyon. Co-credited to Stanley Clarke and Jean-Luc Ponty, released on CD on July 17, 1995 in the US (IRS, 34167).
THE GUITAR TRIO (1996)
La Estiba / Beyond The Mirage / Midsummer Night / Manha de Carnaval / Letter From India / Espiritu / La Monastere Dans Les Montagnes / Azzura / Cardeosa. Co-credited to Paco De Lucia and John McLaughlin and released on CD on October 15, 1996 in the US (Verve, 535 215).
DI MEOLA PLAYS PIAZZOLLA (1996)
Oblivion / Cafe 1930 / Tango Suite Part I / Tango Suite Part II / Verano Reflections / Night Club 1960 / Tango II / Bordel 1900 / Milonga de Angel / Last Tango For Astor. Released on CD on November 5, 1996 in the US (Atlantic). Re-released on CD on March 2, 2007 (Mesa/Bluemoon).
THIS IS JAZZ 31 (1997)
Race With The Devil On Spanish Highway / Ritmo de La Noche / Short Tales of The Black Forest / Nena / Fantasia Suite For Two Guitars: Viva La Danzarina – Guitars of The Exotic Isle – Rhapsody Italia – Bravoto Fantasia / African Night / Cruisin’ / Spanish Eyes / Passion, Grace & Fire / Silent Story In Her Eyes / Violin Sonata In B Major: Sarabande. Compilation released on May 6, 1997 in the US (Sony, 65047).
THE INFINITE DESIRE (1998)
Beyond The Mirage / Shaking The Spirits / Vizzini / In My Mother’s Eyes (Memory of Theresa) / The Infinite Desire / Invention of The Monsters / Istanbul / Azzura / Big Sky Azzura / Race With Devil on Turkish Highway / Valentina / The Infinite Desire. Released on CD on August 25, 1998 in the US (Telarc, 33433); reached #17 on the US Jazz charts.
WINTER NIGHTS (1999)
Zima / Carol of The Bells / Winterlude Duet No.1 / Greensleeves / Mercy Street / Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas / Winterlude No.2 / Midwinter Nights / Scarborough Fair / Winterlude No.3 / The First Noel / Inverno / First Snow / Winterlude No.4 / Ave Maria. Released on CD on September 28, 1999 in the US (Telarc, 33458); reached #15 on the US Jazz charts.
COLLECTION (1999)
The Wizard / Suite Golden Dawn / Flight Over Rio / Midnight Tango / Mediterranean Sundance / Race With The Devil On Spanish Highway / Dark Eyed Tango / God Bird Change / Electric Rendezvous / Mata Hari / Calliope / Egyptian Danza. Compilation released on October 18, 1999 (Connoisseur).
THE GRANDE PASSION (2000)
Misterio / Double Concerto / Prelude: Adagio For Theresa / The Grande Passion / Asia de Cuba / Soledad / Opus In Green / Libertango / Azucar. Released on CD on October 24, 2000 in the US (Telarc); reached #24 on the US Jazz charts.
ANTHOLOGY (2000)
Land of The Midnight Sun / Suite-Golden Dawn / Race With Devil On Spanish Highway / Elegant Gypsy Suite / Senor Mouse / Medley: Short Tales of The Black Forest – Fantasia Suite For Two Guitars // Alien Chase On Arabian Desert / Dinner Music of The Gods / Bianca’s Midnight Lullaby / God Bird Change / Electric Rendezvous / Nena (live) / Egyptian Danza (live) / Cruisin’ (live) / Island Dreamer / Sequencer / Al Di’s Dream Theme / Theme To The Mothership. Compilation released on 2CD on October 24, 2000 in the US (Columbia, C2K-63556).
FLESH ON FLESH (2002)
Zona Desperata / Innamorata / Meninas / Flesh On Flesh / Fugata / Deep And Madly / Saffire Soleil / Senor Mouse. Released on CD on August 27, 2002 in the US (Telarc) and Japan (Universal); reached #25 on the US Jazz charts.
REVISITED (2003)
Song To The Pharoah Kings / Coral / Traces of Tear / Cielo E Terra / Soaring Through A Dream / Broken Heart / Beijing Demons / Rhapsody of Fire / Maraba / Solace / Marina. Compilation released on CD on July 29, 2003 in the US (Varese Sarabande, 61321).
COSMOPOLITAN LIFE (2005)
Cuba Africa / Cosmopolitan Life / Nobody / Price To Learn / Tango / Smile / Portofino / If I’ll Get A Chance / Blue River / Shade of Your World / Cosmopolitan Life (video). Co-credited to Leonid Agutin and released on CD on June 28, 2005 in the US (Ole Records).
VOCAL RENDEZVOUS (2006)
Shame / I Tried / Different Pages / Topaz / Communication / That’s The Truth / Never Never Never / You Are The One / Syncopatico / Rendezvous Rhapsody / Different Pages / Cuba Africa. Credited to Al Di Meola & Friends and released on May 16, 2005 in the US (SPV).
CONSEQUENCE OF CHAOS (2006)
San Marco (Moderna) / Turquoise / Odyssey / Tao / Azucar / Sanctuary / Hypnose / Red Moon / Cry For You / Just Three Words / Tempest / Storm Off-Shore / Black Pearls / Africana Suite / San Marco (Vecchio). Released on CD on September 26, 2006 in the US (Telarc).
DIABOLIC INVENTIONS AND SEDUCTION FOR SOLO GUITAR (2007)
Campero / Poema Valseado / Tangata del Alba / Adios Nonino / Tema de Maria / Milonga del Angel / Romantico / Milonga Carrieguera. Released on CD on January 8, 2007 in the US (Inakustik, INAK-9080CD).
SPEAK A VOLCANO (2007)
Live tracks: San Marco / One Night Last June / Azzura / Mi Longa del Angel / Rhapsody of Fire / Hypnose / Red Moon / Tena de Maria / Tangata / Double Concerto / Tao / Senor Mouse / Fugata. Released on DVD on October 30, 2007 in Germany (Inakustik, INAK-7002).
LIVE IN MILANO (2008)
Live tracks: Infinite Desire / Cafe 1930 / Cinema Paradiso / Misterio / Double Concerto / Turquoise / Umbras / Mediterranean Sundance / No Potho Reposare. Released on CD on March 25, 2008 (CD Baby).
LIVE FROM SEATTLE AND ELSEWHERE (2009)
Live tracks: Misterio / Siberiana / Paramour’s Lullaby / Gumbiero / Fireflies / Umbras / No Potho Reposare. Released on CD in 2009 in the US (CD Baby).
HE & CARMEN (2010)
Exordium / Café 1930 / Double Concerto / Fugata / Entr’act / Misterio / Milonga del Angel / Dance Part 1 / Dance Part 2 / Habanera / Libertango / Finale. Co-credited to Eszter Horgas and released on CD on August 10, 2010 in the US (Telarc).
PURSUIT OF RADICAL RHAPSODY (2011)
Siberiana / Paramour’s Lullaby / Mawazine Part 1 / Michelangelo’s 7th Child / Gumbiero / Brave New World / Full Frontal Contrapuntal / That Way Before / Fireflies / Destination Gonzalo / Bona / Radical Rhapsody / Strawberry Fields / Mawazine Part 2 / Over The Rainbow. Released on CD on March 15, 2001 in the US (Telarc).
LIVE AT THE NORTH SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL (2012)
Live tracks: Indigo / Bordel 1900 / Improvisation / Tango Suite, Part 1 / Tango Suite, Part 3 / Mediterranean Sundance / Summer Country Song. Released on CD on April 10, 2012 in the US (1-2-3-4 Go).
