GIO ARDIZZOLA - BIOGRAPHY
Giorgio Ardizzola Jr, (born Jume 26, 1958 in Newark, New Jersey, USA) is the current lead and rhythm guitarist for the popular SFL band, Soulicide.
Giorgio, A.K.A. Gio, is a graduate of the Musicians Institute of Los Angeles, California in 1983 where he studied music theory, ear training, and guitar performance. Performing is his passion-- as both a guitarist and vocalist. Gio has performed with artists such as Megadeth and Ronnie James Dio and performed in front of 70,000 people at Farm Aid. He is also a lyricist and composer, with years of experience as a musical director for Comedy Central, capable within any style. Gio has worked with the Hollywood film director Roger Corman, as an actor, musical composer, and lyricist for the movie Beach Balls (1987 Dr. Starr Live Performance of “Best Times” written by Gio Ardizzola for the movie, Beach Balls)
He has been featured in his former band's music video, Tears of Innocence, appeared in a music video for Maria Conchita (1985 Maria Conchita Music Video, “O Ella O Yo”
), and been a guitarist for television shows on Telemundo, besides having formed and written music for many bands over the years.
Gio's father introduced him to the guitar when he was 5 years old. At the age of 16, he started playing professionally. His playing styles range from rock, classical, blues, and jazz fusion.
Giorgio, A.K.A. Gio, is a graduate of the Musicians Institute of Los Angeles, California in 1983 where he studied music theory, ear training, and guitar performance. Performing is his passion-- as both a guitarist and vocalist. Gio has performed with artists such as Megadeth and Ronnie James Dio and performed in front of 70,000 people at Farm Aid. He is also a lyricist and composer, with years of experience as a musical director for Comedy Central, capable within any style. Gio has worked with the Hollywood film director Roger Corman, as an actor, musical composer, and lyricist for the movie Beach Balls (1987 Dr. Starr Live Performance of “Best Times” written by Gio Ardizzola for the movie, Beach Balls)
He has been featured in his former band's music video, Tears of Innocence, appeared in a music video for Maria Conchita (1985 Maria Conchita Music Video, “O Ella O Yo”
), and been a guitarist for television shows on Telemundo, besides having formed and written music for many bands over the years.
Gio's father introduced him to the guitar when he was 5 years old. At the age of 16, he started playing professionally. His playing styles range from rock, classical, blues, and jazz fusion.
Chronological Selection of Relevant Experience
"Soulicide" - An Original Band, South FL 2013-present
Guitarist, Vocalist, Lyricist, & Composer
-Performs and records original rock music; performs copy rock music in various South Florida night clubs on a weekly basis
-Performed at Wings of Gold Biker Appreciation Day, Hollywood (2014)
-Performed at Toys in the Sun Run with Bret Michaels, Sunrise; donated $3500 to the Joe Dimaggio Children's foundation (2013)
-Performed at Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood (2013)
“Behold the Wolf” - An Original Band South FL 2011-2012
Guitarist, Vocalist, Lyricist, & Composer
- Performs and records original rock music; Performs rock music as part of the band
“3 Day Weekend” in various South Florida Night Clubs on a weekly basis
- Winner of The Battle of the Bands, Coconut Creek
- Performed at SUNFEST, 2011 in Palm Beach (SUNFEST opening for Styx)
Telemondo and Channel 51 - TV Miami, FL 2008
Acoustic Guitarist
- Performed Latin music with Rosario and other Latin Artists for television
Comedy Central Los Angeles, CA 1988 - 1992
Musical Director
Maria Conchita Music Video ( O Ella O Yo) Los Angeles, CA 1985
Guitarist
- Performed as a session player and appeared in her music videos, including “O Ella o Yo”
“Dr. Starr” - An Original Band Los Angeles, CA 1986 - 1988
Vocalist, Guitarist, Lyricist & Composer
- Toured with bands such as Motley Crue, Poison, Warrant, and The Bullet Boys
- 1986 MTV Basement Tape Winners
- Performed at The Farm Aid benefit concert in Nebraska in 1987
- Wrote original music for and also appeared in Roger Corman’s film, Beach Balls in 1988 (Best Times)
- Released CD on Retrospect Records in 2009
Personal Recognition
- Winner: Sam Ash Steve Vai Guitar Competition for Miami Lakes, 2010 (Sam Ash Champion -Sam Ash finalist)
- Nomination: “Los Angeles’ Best Rock Guitarist”, Mike Varney, Music Connection Magazine, 1993
- Endorsement: Gibson Guitars, 1993
Performed With:
- Megadeth, 1982 - Ronnie James Dio, 1989
- Peter "Mars" Cowling & Kevin Neil from the Pat Travers Band, 2012 (Memorial Concert)
Education
Musicians Institute of Technology Hollywood, CA 1981 - 1983
- Certificate in Performance (Guitar)
Principle Instructors:
Pat Martino Scott Henderson Joe Diorio Joe Pass
"Soulicide" - An Original Band, South FL 2013-present
Guitarist, Vocalist, Lyricist, & Composer
-Performs and records original rock music; performs copy rock music in various South Florida night clubs on a weekly basis
-Performed at Wings of Gold Biker Appreciation Day, Hollywood (2014)
-Performed at Toys in the Sun Run with Bret Michaels, Sunrise; donated $3500 to the Joe Dimaggio Children's foundation (2013)
-Performed at Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood (2013)
“Behold the Wolf” - An Original Band South FL 2011-2012
Guitarist, Vocalist, Lyricist, & Composer
- Performs and records original rock music; Performs rock music as part of the band
“3 Day Weekend” in various South Florida Night Clubs on a weekly basis
- Winner of The Battle of the Bands, Coconut Creek
- Performed at SUNFEST, 2011 in Palm Beach (SUNFEST opening for Styx)
Telemondo and Channel 51 - TV Miami, FL 2008
Acoustic Guitarist
- Performed Latin music with Rosario and other Latin Artists for television
Comedy Central Los Angeles, CA 1988 - 1992
Musical Director
Maria Conchita Music Video ( O Ella O Yo) Los Angeles, CA 1985
Guitarist
- Performed as a session player and appeared in her music videos, including “O Ella o Yo”
“Dr. Starr” - An Original Band Los Angeles, CA 1986 - 1988
Vocalist, Guitarist, Lyricist & Composer
- Toured with bands such as Motley Crue, Poison, Warrant, and The Bullet Boys
- 1986 MTV Basement Tape Winners
- Performed at The Farm Aid benefit concert in Nebraska in 1987
- Wrote original music for and also appeared in Roger Corman’s film, Beach Balls in 1988 (Best Times)
- Released CD on Retrospect Records in 2009
Personal Recognition
- Winner: Sam Ash Steve Vai Guitar Competition for Miami Lakes, 2010 (Sam Ash Champion -Sam Ash finalist)
- Nomination: “Los Angeles’ Best Rock Guitarist”, Mike Varney, Music Connection Magazine, 1993
- Endorsement: Gibson Guitars, 1993
Performed With:
- Megadeth, 1982 - Ronnie James Dio, 1989
- Peter "Mars" Cowling & Kevin Neil from the Pat Travers Band, 2012 (Memorial Concert)
Education
Musicians Institute of Technology Hollywood, CA 1981 - 1983
- Certificate in Performance (Guitar)
Principle Instructors:
Pat Martino Scott Henderson Joe Diorio Joe Pass