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Artist Website:

http://www.carlverheyen.com/

new CD:    
Take one Step    

Carl is a major presence on the guitar. Growing up in Pasadena in Southern California, he began a lifelong study of the instrument at age 10. Even in his early teens Carl practiced guitar every day, a tradition that continues to this day. Four or five rock bands down the road, he decided to pursue his musical education at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Although his formal training was to last less than a year, the experience proved invaluable, broadening Carl's musical influences and introducing him to jazz , blues, classical and country music.

While living near the University of Massachusetts, Carl got the opportunity to work with the innovative jazz drummer, Max Roach. After a brief taste of the road, he returned to the Los Angeles area and began leading his own group, which included bassists John Patitucci and Dave Marotta and drummers Chad Wackerman and John Ferraro.

Early in the 1980s, Carl was also a sideman in many groups, including the Victor Feldman Generation Band and keyboardist Dan Siegel's group. He played on five of Siegel's records and was the most prolific songwriting contributor to the first three Richard Elliott records (especially Trolltown , which contains five of Carl's songs, and Initial Approach which contains the Verheyen penned hit 'Gretchen's Theme'). He also worked live with the saxophonist for five years. Carl played 2nd guitar in a group led by Robben Ford, and early in his studio career he recorded with Stanley Clarke, Dave Grusin and Little Richard. Soon he was getting called to work on many pop records including Tiffany's multi-platinum selling debut. He performed live with jazz saxophonists Joe Farrell and Ronnie Laws, singers Carl Anderson, Melissa Manchester, Michael Damian, and Eagle Glenn Frey. He played on the Tonight Show with country music artists Tom Wopat and Shelby Lynn, and recorded a movie soundtrack with Dolly Parton and a few records with Cher.

In 1985, Carl became lead guitarist for the British rock group Supertramp, replacing the departing guitarist Roger Hodgson. The band played stadium shows all across the U.S. and Canada. In 1986 the group toured Europe, selling out huge arenas in eight countries. This tour finished with a command performance for Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

After those tours, Carl slipped into the enviable position of being one of L.A's first call studio guitarists. He has played on over 200 different television shows as far back as 'Happy Days' and 'Laverne and Shirley' and including 'Cheers', 'Suddenly Susan' and 'L.A. Law.' Soon Carl's CD collection became full of the movie soundtracks he was doing like 'Stand and Deliver,' 'Moscow on the Hudson,' 'L.A. Story,' 'Dusk 'til Dawn,' 'Mr. Wrong' and the soundtrack Oscar winner 'The Milagro Beanfield Wars.' Due to the anonymous nature of studio work, not a day goes by when you don't hear Carl on one thing or another: in the movie theaters, on TV, or over the radio.

But studio work alone wasn't enough for this artistic soloist. In 1988 Carl released his first album entitled No Borders, featuring Dave Marotta and John Ferraro. Over the years it has obtained 'cult classic' status and still sells consistently, in part due to the collaboration with guitarist Allan Holdsworth. In January of 1992, Carl's recording of 'The Big Shuffle' was included in a compilation CD entitled 'Guitar on the Edge'. This 'underground' recording of the hottest new talent was released in music and record stores. Two more editions (volumes 3 and 5) were eventually released containing some of Carl's bootlegged live performances.

Later in 1992 Carl was asked to make a video for REH/Warner Bros. Titled 'Intervallic Rock Guitar,' this advanced instructional primer has had guitarists working on Carl's ideas and techniques for many years. In early 1993 an innovative computer-guitar educational interface company called G-Vox commissioned Carl to write three interactive libraries along with Steve Morse and Adrian Legg. Available since Spring 1993, these interactive computer guitar lessons provide more insight into the Verheyen style.

In May of 1994, Carl's second CD Garage Sale was released to very positive reviews and critical acclaim. Before long Carl became internationally known as a unique improvising voice on the scene. Guitar magazines began asking him to detail his innovative style. Quite a departure from the typical guitar sound, it interests people all over the world, from Japan to Finland. A few examples of the publications that have featured interviews, profiles, transcriptions and CD reviews:

• Guitar Player has featured many articles on Carl including a 12 page interview with 2 pages of musical examples in 1990.

• Guitar Techniques (England....... including a transcription of the title song, an interview and an audio CD in 1995, then in 1998 Carl made the cover with his long time hero BB King)

• Guitar World

• Rhythm

• Vintage Guitar Many reviews and interviews over the years.

• Gig

• Musician

• Jazztimes

• Jazziz

• Guitar & Bass (France)

• Fuzz ( Finland)

• Chitarre ( Italy)

• Axe (Italy)

• Guitar and Bass (Germany)

• Guitar Player (Spain....cover story)

• Young Guitar ( Japan)

• Ad Lib (Japan)

• Guitar for the Practicing Musician ( Japan)

• Guitar (Japan)

• Mojo (England)

• Total Guitar (England)

• Music (Netherlands)

• Acoustic Guitar

• Living Blues

• Guitar One

• Recording

• 20th Century Guitar

• Guitar Calls Carl one of the 'Top 10 Undiscovered Guitar Players in the World'.....April 1996.
  The following month Carl began writing a monthly column entitled 'Studio City,' an ongoing account of his experiences in the L.A. studio scene and on the road.

• Guitar Shop A full page schematic of Carl's live rig describing a few of the many sounds he wrings out of a Fender Stratocaster ....April 1995. and in June 1996 a twelve page pictorial of his various recording and live rigs and his extensive guitar collection.

• Best Studio Guitarist' award from Guitar Player magazine's reader's poll.

• Best Guitarist of Los Angeles' from the LA Music Awards.

In the mid-90s Carl continued to work consistently in the LA studios, playing on such interesting records as Chad Wackerman's 'The View' with Allan Holdsworth and Jimmy Johnson, and Steve Bailey's' Evolution' with Greg Bissonette, T. Lavitz and Yes vocalist Jon Anderson. He played on 3 of trumpeter Rick Braun's top selling jazz CDs and 'Free Zone', an album featuring Alphonso Johnson, Ralph Humphrey, Larry Steelman and Ernie Watts. Carl worked on the number one soundtrack album (Billboard charts) from the movie 'The Crow', and the edgy, dark 1995 film 'Strange Days.' Further soundtrack work has included 'Crow II, City of Angels', 'Endless Summer II', 'The Negotiator', 'Blow', and 'Collateral Damage.'

May 1996 saw the release of Carl's third CD. Entitled Slang Justice. This blues oriented project prompted the best reviews ever. Guitar Magazine wrote 'Slang Justice establishes Verheyen as one of the top modern virtuoso blues interpreters of our day.' This record also marks the first time Carl's music is available worldwide, with retroactive releases of the first 3 CDs on European and Japanese labels.

Later in 1996, while working an average of eight to ten recording sessions a week, Carl still found the time to teach (CCR guitarist/vocalist) John Fogerty guitar lessons. In the fall of that year Rick Davies reunited Supertramp and Carl was asked to rejoin the legendary band. They recorded another classic 'Tramp album entitled

'Some Things Never Change,' which went gold or platinum in many countries all over the world. During that period Carl played on the BeeGees hit record called 'Still Waters' and got his songs placed in the movies 'The Usual Suspects' and 'Apt Pupil.'

On the educational front Carl continues to be a presence. Besides the video and G-Vox libraries, Fender Musical Instruments commissioned him to be the on-screen player for their first instructional CD-Rom entitled 'Guitar 101.' This basic learning aid is included with all of the student model guitars Fender sells the world over! And Carl has been a guest lecturer at the following institutions:

• University of Southern California (Los Angeles.....yearly since 1996)

• Musician's Institute (Los Angeles..... yearly since 1988)

• Berklee College of Music (Boston..... Guitar Week headliner, 1995)

• Duquesne University Guitar Camp ( Pittsburgh..... '98 and '99)

• Berklee College's West Coast Music Camp (Los Angeles.....yearly since 1999)

• National Guitar Summer Workshop (Los Angeles.....1999).

• LA Music Academy (Los Angeles......2001)

• Leeds School of Music (Yorkshire, UK......2002)

• Hull College (Yorkshire, UK.....2002)

• Guitar Institute of London (London, UK.....2002)

In 1997 the Carl Verheyen Band began the first of many overseas tours, playing to new fans all over Europe. Directly following the last show in Copenhagen, Carl flew to Paris, France to begin an extensive world tour with Supertramp, eventually playing in 17 countries. That year saw more touring with the CV Band in late
summer, followed by another Supertramp tour which resulted in the record 'It Was the Best of Times.' This double live CD was recorded during a 5 night stand at the Royal Albert Hall in London, 11 years after first performing there with the band in 1986.

Early in 1998 Carl began recording his 4th CD Slingshot. This record was entirely conceived and written during the backstage downtime in the various stadiums and arenas of the '97 Supertramp World Tour. Following in the blues-rock tradition of 'Slang Justice,' the focus is on serious guitar playing and soulful vocals. The result is a masterful take on a timeless art form. Augmented with Chad Wackerman on drums, the group embarked on another European tour in the Spring of that year, playing to sell out crowds in Germany, Holland, Belgium and Denmark. The band was filmed for television at the Leverkusen Festival just outside Koln, Germany, and later Carl returned to Europe to play the Blues and Jazz Festival in Vienna, Austria.

In the new millennium Carl continues to be at the forefront of the modern day guitar scene. In early 2000 sessions began for the next record from the Carl Verheyen Band, entitled Atlas Overload. This latest group recording features the brilliant touring band of Cliff Hugo (formerly wi th Ray Charles, Manhattan Transfer and Melissa Manchester) on bass and Steve DiStanislao (formerly with Joe Walsh and currently a member of Dave Crosby's group) on drums. Essentially a live in the studio recording, the CD captures the intense energy the band puts out on stage. All the sounds were created by the trio, with as few overdubs or fixes as possible. Carl has once again proven himself a great songwriter and with his virtuoso band mates, masterfully pulled off the challenge of trio playing.

It should be noted that this band has been together and playing constantly since 1997, and their musical telepathy and Zen level jams are an amazing event to witness live. The level of musicianship transcends any stylistic pigeonholes, with blues, jazz and rock fans enjoying the performances equally.

Soon after that he recorded 'Carl Meets Karl', an instrumental CD with European jazz guitarist Karl Ratzer that will be released in the early 2002. While continuing to tour in the USA and headline festivals in Europe, he still does a fair amount of studio work in LA and master classes at various universities and music stores. And three books written on the subject of recording the guitar feature Carl extensively:

• The Essential Studio Guitarist by Chris Standring.

• The Recording Guitarist by Jon Chappell.

• Studio City by Carl Verheyen...... the new anthology compiling all of Carl's Guitar magazine columns.

Then in 2001 he began work on an entirely different kind of project, an acoustic solo CD. Called Solo Guitar Improvisations, it was released in early Spring to outstanding critical acclaim. Returning from an extensive European tour with the CV Band, Carl began a series of solo acoustic shows supporting the new recording. Then in September Supertramp was again reunited from all over the world to record their best album in many years. Called 'Slow Motion' and released in March 2002, it is another timeless chapter in the band's rich musical legacy.

Then in early February 2002 the CV Band braved the English winter for a 2 week UK tour that saw Carl and Cliff reunited with saxophonist and Supertramp band mate John Helliwell for the last show. Next came Supertramp's "One More For the Road" World Tour, another massive stadium endeavor that touched down in 12 countries in 6 months. Upon returning to LA, Carl then scored a movie during this time called "The Metro Chase." Using techno sounds and incorporating Django Reinhardt style acoustic guitar with upright bass, violin, accordion and drums, the music was the opposite extreme of the new CD the CV Band was simultaneously bring to completion.

Entitled SIX, this new recording is the most fully realized disc the band has made. With extra help from keyboard wizard Jim Cox (Ringo Star, Aerosmith, Mark Knopfler, BB King), the sound is full and fat. Once again the songs were written backstage in the bellies of the stadiums and arenas during last year's 'Tramp tour. At the beginning of 2003 the CV Band is ready to hit the road again, embarking on a 6 country tour celebrating this new release. In the UK, look for Carl and band in July at the Bath International Guitar Festival, too

All the next coming years CV-Bands was touring in Europa with nearly almost a new Album. 2006 the Album  called One Step and Touring starts in Salzburg (A) to Irland in Sept. 06.Tour Band; Jim Christie on drums and Cliff Hugo on Bass.

Next Tour after a lot of Solo and Band Tours in 2007 in Italy, Austria and GB, was the spring 2008.
Since than the new Line up is amasing: with Walfredo Reyes jr.(Santana, Steve Winwood,... ) on drums and Dave Marotta on bass (Phil Collins,… ).
Solo Tour  Oktober 2008 in Italie.
Upcomming Bandtour is Februar 2009 In EU!

http://www.walfredoreyesjr.com/
http://www.davemarotta.com/

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