Jimmy Bruno — Jazz Guitar

I stumbled on Jimmy’s YT content and was hooked by his musicianship, no nonsense opinions, and pirate cursing. Entertaining and inspiring. Enjoy.

The jazz guitarist behind the @brunoonlineschool7527 YouTube channel

is Jimmy Bruno. He is a renowned American jazz guitarist, educator, and former session musician known for his "no-nonsense" approach to teaching jazz guitar. 

Backstory and Career

  • Early Life & Background: Born on July 22, 1953, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jimmy Bruno started playing guitar at age 7, learning from his father, who was also a professional musician.

  • Professional Start: He began his professional career immediately after high school. At age 19, he was touring with the legendary Buddy Rich Big Band.

  • LA Session Years: Bruno spent many years in Los Angeles working as a session musician, playing in studios, and performing with artists such as Frank Sinatra and Doc Severinsen.

  • Return to Jazz: In 1988, he returned to the East Coast (Philadelphia) to focus on playing and teaching jazz full-time.

  • Educational Approach: He is a noted author and educator, having published instructional materials with Mel Bay (e.g., Six Essential Fingerings for the Jazz Guitarist) and created several online platforms, including the Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute and later the Jimmy Bruno Guitar Workshop. He emphasizes learning by ear, understanding chord-melody, and playing in all twelve keys. 

Location

Jimmy Bruno is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

The YouTube Channel

The Bruno online school YouTube channel, launched in late 2022, offers a mix of instructional videos, personal anecdotes, and "everything you wanted to know about jazz guitar" style lessons, characterized by his direct and sometimes sarcastic teaching style. 

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