as session man, teacher and author
Brick native glad
to see name on
local marquee
Buono builds impressive career
as session man, teacher and author
BY KARL VILACOBA
Staff Writer
Brick native Chris Buono will bring his jazz-rock sound to Paul’s Tavern, South Belmar, June 3.
BRICK — Guitarist Chris Buono planned to begin promoting his new jazz-rock fusion trio, but by the time he met with the Bulletin to discuss it, Sonic Butter melted.
Minutes into a jam with his new organ player and drummer, Buono felt the chemistry wasn’t quite there. That he was left bandless, but booked for a string of local gigs beginning two weeks later, didn’t worry Buono at all. When you’re well connected with a number of New York City’s most talented club musicians, a guitar instructor at a prestigious music school, and an author on the art of jazz soloing, it’s not hard to find bandmates on short notice.
The Brick native will instead play at Paul’s Tavern, South Belmar, with a foursome June 3, and switch the lineup around for two more summer gigs there. He might be the one constant throughout the three dates.
"I’m kind of glad this happened because I needed to get my name on the marquee," Buono said. "What I’m working on now is trying to become more independent. I’ve been siding for years."
Buono said his love for the guitar was spawned by his "classic rock nut" brothers and the extensive record collection at their Mantoloking Road home. He jammed on the air guitar with fake instruments his brothers built out of wood, until he took his first lessons from Frankie Cicala, whom he says he is "indebted to forever."
"When I was a little kid, I never wanted to be a rock star, a guy on the cover of the magazines," Buono said. "I just wanted to play and have my stuff together. I wanted to be the kind of person that people walk into a room and say, ‘That guy is good.’ "
By his own admission, Buono was not one of those prodigies whose abilities developed overnight. By the time he graduated Brick Township High School in 1990, where he was named "Most Talented" in his senior class, he was a skilled player whose range didn’t go much further than rock. But in his early 20s, Buono said he buckled down to learn the intricacies of jazz and music theory, and it broadened his potential by far.
A break came after he substituted for a friend who was an associate professor at the Berklee College of Music, Boston. With his foot in the door, Buono applied for a coveted teaching position at the college but was told the staff was full. Weeks later, he was called back and notified the college had record enrollment figures, and he was hired as a part-time instructor.
Buono said the Berklee assignment opened the door for some of the steadier paychecks a musician can earn. Aside from playing the clubs and working as a session man on other musicians’ albums, he transcribes sheet music for a prominent guitar magazine, gives private lessons to intermediate and advanced guitarists, and recently wrote "Jazz Lead Guitar Solos," published by Alfred Publications. The 96-page book is geared toward blues and rock players who are trying to learn the concepts of jazz improvisation.
"It was the hardest thing to put into words. It was ridiculous," Buono said. "[The publishers] said, ‘Don’t baby them, but don’t shoot over their heads.’ "
On top of his long list of recording credits, Buono’s compositions have been used on tapings of MTV’s "The Real World" and VH1’s "Bands on the Run." Now 32 and busy raising a family in Toms River, Buono said he’s slowing down on touring, and looks forward to performing around his home area.
Buono is scheduled to play Thursday night shows at Paul’s Tavern, 1703 Main St., South Belmar, on June 3, June 24 and July 15. For more information, visit www.chrisbuono.com.