SAM ORTOLANO
“THIS BAND IS A BLAST!”Every tune from this world music ensemble dazzles the listener with an express-train energy that threatens to go off the rails yet never does. Excellent players shine as soloists and as a team on tunes that instantly suggest a Spanish/Latin style, but infuses the proceedings with so much more. “So Say the Soothsayers” has dazzling guitar flair amid complex percussive instruments. “Senor Peacock” suggests flamenco with its castanets, yet its Indian raga flavors and syncopated world rhythms are unmistakeable. Again, the listener is treated to frenetic fretwork from the guitarist on “Eternal Joy of You,” which starts at 100 mph and proceeds through a gauntlet of constantly shifting time sigs. This band is a blast. MUSIC CONNECTION☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆+ |
Welcome to a showcase of my acoustic guitar music, featuring Afro-Cuban, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Latin beats and melodies. My goal is to create music that inspires listeners to think outside the box, to never settle for the norm, and to take an active role in their community. At the same time, free your mind and spirit, laugh a little bit, love a lot, and dance, dance, dance!! PEACEARTHOPE is Sam Ortolano. Highlighting his deep passion for all things guitar, the group, (pronounced peace, earth, hope) allows Sam to write, record, produce, and perform original music that is all his own. His love of World music along with his vast background in playing many different musical styles is the foundation by which a unique hybrid was created. A Los Angeles-based guitarist, Sam started playing at the age of 5 and has never stopped. In his early teens, when his friends were all listening to pop music, Sam discovered the world of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Shakti, Chick Corea, Return to Forever, Allan Holdsworth, Paco, John and Al, and Pat Metheny. He was immediately moved by the creativity and inspired by the virtuosity. From that point on the guitar became the center of his universe, practicing up to 8 hours a day, with a thirst for knowledge and a drive to be the best guitarist/musician he could be. Sam has spent his professional life performing with various groups as well as leading his own bands. Covering a wide spectrum of musical styles, he has enjoyed playing rock, jazz, fusion, pop, and progressive metal with multiple studio recordings being released in each genre. Sam has performed hundreds of shows up and down the west coast as well as having extended residencies as a solo guitarist at a number of bars and restaurants in So Cal. During the pandemic, he used the isolation to his benefit and transitioned to being a solo artist full time. With that transition came the advent of PEACEARTHOPE, a showcase of Sam's acoustic guitar music, featuring Afro-Cuban, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Latin beats and melodies. An initial 2021 release entitled Speed of Sound, is a collection of 10 intensely passionate compositions with beautiful melodies and intricate rhythmic arrangements. The goal of PEACEARTHOPE is to create music that inspires listeners to think outside the box, never settle for the norm, and take an active role in the community that is the world. At the same time, free your mind and spirit, laugh a little bit, love a lot, and dance, dance, dance! |
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