News

Guitar Sessions Review of the Leonardo 10 Cabinet
August, 2006

When first learning of Leonardo Custom Cabinets, it may be easy to write them off as a company trying to reproduce what Raezer's Edge has already done. That is to produce a very high level, but compact... more

Check out the Full Review!

Leonardo Cabs Ad and Review in Just Jazz Guitar Magazine
August, 2006

(Click image for review in PDF format)

Master Guitar Luthier Signs On as Leonardo Dealer
March 28, 2006

Heralded as one of today's finest instrument makers, John Buscarino has a solid reputation for building exquisite archtop and classical guitars that look as amazing as they sound which is why Leonardo Custom Cabinets is very excited to announce that John Buscarino has joined the Leonardo Family as its first dealer.

Unique among today's guitar builders in that John Buscarino apprenticed with not one but two master luthiers, Augustine LoPrinzi, from whom John learned the finer points of building classical guitars and with famed archtop builder Robert Benedetto, where he spent years perfecting the woodworking skills that have made him a master luthier in his own right today.

Over the years John has built hundreds of his fine crafted instruments, many for professional names like George Benson, Russell Malone, Steve Morse, Gene Bertoncini, Ron Affif, Corey Christiansen and many more.

Speaking as to why he has chosen to carry the Leonardo line of cabinets, John Buscarino said, "Leonardo Cabinets are the perfect cabinet for jazz archtop and nylon string guitars."

The full line of Leonardo Custom Cabinets will be made available through
John Buscarino's website www.buscarino.com

Jazz Guitarists Corey Christiansen Joins the List of Leonardo Family Members
Jan. 26th, 2006

Recently Leonardo Custom Cabinets presented jazz educator, author and Mel Bay Records recording artist Corey Christiansen with a Leonardo 10" Custom Cabinet.

Known best for his work with Mel Bay Publications, Inc. as an author and as the companies Senior Editor, Corey Christiansen has been a major player on the rise in the jazz guitar community over the last several years. He has played with most of the jazz greats including John Pisano, Jimmy Bruno, Vic Juris, Danny Gottlieb, Willie Akins, Joe Negri, Randy Johnston, Chuck Redd, Sid Jacobs and Jack Wilkins, just to name a few.

In 2004 Corey celebrated the release of his album, Awakening, which launched Mel Bay Records new jazz guitar label, Guitar Sessions, which has since attracted many other big name players like Jimmy Bruno, Dave Stryker, Rick Haydon, Rodney Jones, Frank Vignola and Bucky Pizarelli.

"Corey Christiansen, over the past couple of years, has risen straight to the top of the list of jazz guitarists. He is a great player and we are honored that he would want to add a Leonardo to his list of gear", said Bryan Leonard at Leonardo Custom Cabinets. "Corey's playing and tone is cutting edge and pushes the limit which is why we took him, as well as others like him, into consideration when we were designing our latest line of cabinets. It was a tough test but we're glad to say we passed with flying colors!"

Speaking about the cabinet that Leonardo Custom cabinets presented to Corey he stated, "My Leonardo 10 cabinet is a fine piece of equipment that looks as good as it sounds....and it sounds great. I'm proud to add it to my arsenal of tone."

For more information on Corey Christiansen visit his website www.CoreyChristiansen.com

Recognized Jazz Guitarist and Educator Rick Haydon Joins Leonardo Family
Nov. 30th, 2005

Leonardo Custom Cabinets is proud to announce that Mel Bay Records recording artist, and recognized jazz guitarist and educator Rick Haydon has recently joined the Leonardo Family as an Artist and Product Endorser.

It means something when legendary jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli calls you "The Professor" and that's just what he calls Rick Haydon, Professor of Music and head of the Guitar Program at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

Rick has studied with many of the Jazz Guitar Masters including Johnny Smith, Howard Roberts, Pat Martino, and most recently Bucky Pizzarelli (7-string). Professionally he has also shared the stage with such jazz greats as Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Bucky Pizzarelli, Mulgrew Miller, Randy Brecker, Ray and Tom Kennedy and in 2004 John Pizzarelli at the Classic American Guitar Show in Long Island, New York as part of the Jazz Cabaret Series. He also received the 2004 Woody Herman Award from the Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Door County, Wisconsin.

Most recently Rick joined with his long time friend John Pizzarelli on his first album as a leader entitled "Just Friends" scheduled to be released next spring by Mel Bay Records' up and coming jazz guitar label, Guitar Sessions.

We couldn't be more thrilled to have Rick Haydon as part of the family!

"My Leonardo 10 is just amazing. It's sounds great, it looks great and it is very versatile…perfect for both 6 and 7 string players."

www.rickhaydon.com