Gianfranco Continenza, chitarrista, compositore, arrangiatore ed insegnate, nato a Torino (01/02/1968), incomincia a suonare la chitarra all'etEdi 8 anni grazie al padre Nino Continenza chitarrista jazz, studiando musica classica per 5 anni ed affiancando ad esso lo studio della chitarra moderna (jazz, fusion, R&B, blues, rock, funky, ecc.), suonando con diversi gruppi locali , lavorando in diversi studi di registrazione e partecipando a tante manifestazioni musicali regionali. .
Appassionandosi sempre piEal Jazz nel1991 si Etrasferito ad Hollywood, California per studiare al G.I.T. (Guitar Institute of Technology), con maestri del calibro diJoe Diorio, Don Mock, Scott Henderson, Howard Roberts, Ron Eschéte, Peter Sprague, Gary Willis, Jennifer Batten, Steve Trovato, Jeff Berlin, Carl Verheyen, Jamie Findlay, Jeff Richman, Tommy Tedesco, Mike Miller, ecc., dove si Ediplomato nel settembre del 1992 con la media del 100% specializzandosi in differenti stili musicali (jazz, fusion, blues, R&B, latin,funky,rockE.
Nel 1994 ha fondato a Pescara la C.M.A. (Contemporary Music Academy) con studenti provenienti da diverse parti d'Italia nella quale Edocente di chitarra jazz.
Ha suonato insieme ad artisti di fama mondiale quali Joe Diorio, Bill Evans, Mark Egan, Jeff Richman, Scott Kinsey, Jamie Findlay, Barrett Tagliarino, Richard Smith, John StowellE
Nell'aprile del 2000 ha registrato un CD bootleg: "Live at Kabala Jazz Club", con Pippo Matino al basso ed Ernesttico alle percussioni. Ha partecipato, col suo trio, a diversi "festival Jazz" tra i quali "JazzSo Festival E3" di Gessopalena (CH) ed a "Fiorenza Jazz E3" di Fermo (AP). Inoltre si occupa di una rubrica di chitarra jazz sul sito www.jazzitalia.net
A febbraio 2008 è uscito il CD" The past inside the present" feat. Bill Evans al sax e Scott Kinsey (Tribal Tech) alle tastiere, con sue composizioni di jazz/fusion per la ESC Records una delle etichette leader della scena jazz/fusion mondiale.
Sempre per la ESC Records partecipa al doppio CD MAHAVISHNU RE-defined (tributo alla Mahavishnu Orchestra) con Mark Egan al basso, Alessandro Centofanti alle tastiere e Walter Martino alla batteria.
Da giugno 2007 Eendorser della Jacoland con la chitarra Heaven Jazz "Gianfranco Continenza Signature".
Il Cd gThe past inside the presenth è stato al primo e secondo posto sulla classifica/vendite dei Top 100 album di chitarristi Jazz della Tower records americana per più di 3 settimane.
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"I was very impressed by Gianfranco's playing and I was very impressed by his compositions too, it's a really wonderful music, great playing. Continenza is a very talented musician and original too. Very strong quality music, great improvisation. He improved so much since last time we played together and he was playing good even then. I liked very much the musicians of the CD too. Great musicians. Even if I come from a different generation of sound I really apprecciated the way Gianfranco used the guitar effects, it’s a great guitar sound. I have to say: it's a really great CD."
Joe Diorio
"As a huge fan of contemporary jazz-fusion, I was pleasantly surprised when I put on the CD The Past Inside the PresentEby Gianfranco Continenza. Frankly I as amazed that players in Italy were playing that style of music at such a high level. The compositions were very interesting and Gianfranco’s guitar playing was full of energy, exploration and sheer chops. He has come a long was since our days together at GIT in Hollywood where he studied music in the early '90's. And Gianfranco's choices of musicians to accompany him on this recording effort are first-rate players including jazz sax virtuoso Bill Evans. This would be a fun band to see play live. But listening to the CD in my car here in rainy Seattle will do just fine."
Don Mock
"It was a pleasure working on the CD with Gianfranco"
Bill Evans
"This is a great recording! A Slammin' fusion affair played by great contemporary musicians."
Mark Egan
"Gianfranco has assembled a group of "A" list world class musicians that perform his original music with finesse and ease. Continenza's music is sharply played and is reminiscent of Mike Stern and Scott Henderson. The compositions are well crafted and are harmonically, rhythmically and melodically superb. Gianfranco seems to be able to move seamlessly from soulful gut wrenching playing to soaring technically astounding passages."
Steve Trovato
"The music on this recording is a complex fusion of progessive and funky elements played by virtuoso musicians at the top of their game. Gianfranco's writing is strong and full of harmonic surprises. A very rewarding combination......"
Carl Verheyen
"Gianfranco was a bright light of energy when I first met him, and a sponge to everything there was to learn about music. In the many years since, he's managed to get deep inside of himself with a rare dedication to pull out an original, invigorating, and intriguing voice, which just happens to come through the guitar. With his first solo CD "The past inside the present" he's painted a delightful high level musical experience and surrounded himself with superb musicians of a like mind."
Jennifer Batten
"I found Gianfranco’s music well worked in the compositions; I mean it is not only standards played straght- ahead... the CD sounds good... the repertoire is varied... there are some beautiful lyrical ballad mixed with powerful tunes, a wonderful collaboration of Bill Evans..."
Dominique Di Piazza
"Gianfranco Continenza has recorded a varied and interesting collection of songs with a great band. The music is adventurous and compelling. I truly enjoyed listening to the cd, and look foward to listening some more. This is contemporary jazz music on a very high level."
Bob Mintzer
"I enjoyed this music very much, beautifull music and wonderfull playing!!!"
Jeff Richman
"Gianfranco’s music is wonderful. The musicians are great and the recording sounds great."
Mitchel Forman
"Gianfranco Continenza has crafted an all-original gem of contemporary playing and composing here. It is refreshing to hear so much original creativity, great improvisation and ensemble work in one place. Continenza's new disc it is a fresh new contibution to the lexicon of modern fusion jazz."
Richard Smith
"Gianfranco’s CD The Past Inside the Present is a wonderful mixture of cool, twisting melodic lines, heart, energy, drive and monster playing!"
Michael Manring
"Uncompromised writing and passionate performances... very well done!!!
Otmaro Ruiz
"It was a refreshing to hear this ensemble. There is just not enough music of this level being heard these days comming from all the musician's on this CD. I was very impressed with the high level of musicianship and the very original compositions. There are no weak links in this unparalleled package."
Phil Upchurch
"Gianfranco has amazing chops and is a wonderful composer as well.. His new CD is a Killer"
Vic Juris
"Gianfranco Continenza has produced a really solid fusion CD; the solos, writing and production are all first class, and there is plenty of variety here. Gianfranco is an exciting guitarist well on the way to finding his own voice as a player and composer and I look forward to following him in his career."
John Stowell
"How it sounds like great stuff from the past but it has the special now qualities of the present, and there's a common thread through all the compositions. Gianfranco doesn't keep the spotlight for himself, but shares it liberally throughout the entire project, not only with his bandmates, but with the mighty presence of Bill Evans on Sax and Scott Kinsey on keyboards. It's first rate new, progressive jazz fused with your fondest memories from the past, all pointed towards a bright future!."
Jamie Findlay
"A fine CD by a wonderful musician"
Jimmy Bruno
"Gianfranco's new CD is a great representation of what's happening on the cutting edge of fusion music today. There is some inspired playing here."
J-Blog...
Gianfranco Continenza, chitarrista, compositore, arrangiatore ed insegnate, nato a Torino (01/02/1968), incomincia a suonare la chitarra all'etEdi 8 anni grazie al padre Nino Continenza chitarrista jazz, studiando musica classica per 5 anni ed affiancando ad esso lo studio della chitarra moderna (jazz, fusion, R&B, blues, rock, funky, ecc.), suonando con diversi gruppi locali , lavorando in diversi studi di registrazione e partecipando a tante manifestazioni musicali regionali. .
Appassionandosi sempre piEal Jazz nel 1991 si Etrasferito ad Hollywood, California per studiare al G.I.T. (Guitar Institute of Technology), con maestri del calibro di 
A febbraio 2008 è uscito il CD" The past inside the present" feat. Bill Evans al sax e Scott Kinsey (Tribal Tech) alle tastiere, con sue composizioni di jazz/fusion per la ESC Records una delle etichette leader della scena jazz/fusion mondiale.
Sempre per la ESC Records partecipa al doppio CD MAHAVISHNU RE-defined (tributo alla Mahavishnu Orchestra) con Mark Egan al basso, Alessandro Centofanti alle tastiere e Walter Martino alla batteria.
