cj renzi

Classical guitarist, composer, and instructor specializing in somewhat mysterious and very creepy classical guitar compositions. Many refer to these pieces as sinister. They are well known to terrify my wife and mother. Still, they boss me at their own peril.

I began to compose just a few weeks after my first guitar lesson in 1984. I was taught C, A, E and D chords and that was quite enough. But classical composition did not begin until 1986 with my first few classical guitar lessons. I was simply fascinated that all that sound and complexity could come from a single instrument.

Bartok, Bach, and Beethoven, the three B's, were heavy influences on my music. But the greatest influences were the 80's metal bands. In particular Black Sabbath, Dio, Ozzy, Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Judas Priest. To a slightly lesser extent Accept, W.A.S.P., Dokken, Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Motley Crue, Megadeth, Queensryche, and Faith No More.

The rock and metal influences can be heard, and felt if you play, in the riff and groove heavy writing. The three B's will certainly be more difficult to hear in my music since I simply cannot compose like that.

I studied not composition with any maestro or at any conservatory or school of music that matters, so don't look for that. Please feel free to judge. We all do anyhow…