December 21st, 2012

Holiday greetings from Steve

Hey Folks,

As I write this letter, I’m on a plane flying home after just having played our final and 96th show of “The Story of Light Tour”. I say final, but that’s just for now.

It feels appropriate to say that this tour was a revelatory experience for myself and the band. We have grown together in deep meaningful ways that the most brilliantly crafted words could never describe.

It’s been 5 years since my last solo tour and wasn’t sure how I would deliver, but I came to realize that with all of the various projects I engage in, the thing I do best and enjoy the most is performing. I have honestly never felt better, had more energy or been more expressive as on this tour. The goal on this tour was to get closer to the notes and continue to evolve the merging of the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of myself and the band’s expression.

My God it was glorious. The band and I are bursting with appreciation for having had this magnificent opportunity. Feeling the audience again was a reminder of what a great privilege and honor it is to be a performer. Playing the new tracks from “The Story of Light” was like having a new lease on life.

At this time I’m hunkering down for the next 5 months to compose music for a “Stravinsky Festival” that will take place in May 2013 in Holland. In June, we are looking at 10 or so dates in Europe with “The Evolution Orchestra”. Then for the rest of the year I am looking forward to taking the “Story of Light Band” back out to perform anyplace around the world we have missed. More details on all this to come.

To all of you who attended the shows and shared your time and support, participated in the EVO experience and those who have written such inspiring reviews of the show, I am deeply grateful.

Here’s wishing you all the Happiest of Holidays and a revelatory 2013.

s.

October 11th, 2012

STEVE VAI SHARES “THE STORY OF LIGHT” LIVE TOMORROW EXCLUSIVELY ON AXS TV

Vai.com is pleased to announce Steve’s 10/12 live performance at Club Nokia in Los Angeles will be broadcast, live on AXS TV. Official press release below.

STEVE VAI SHARES “THE STORY OF LIGHT” LIVE TOMORROW EXCLUSIVELY ON AXS TV

Special live concert event with the Grammy Award-winning guitarist to be televised nationally October 12th

(October 11, 2012 – Los Angeles, CA) The Grammy award-winning virtuoso guitarist, visionary composer, and consummate producer Steve Vai will broadcast LIVE from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California for one night only on Friday, October 12 exclusively on AXS TV.

As Steve Vai continues his North American tour to promote his new album, THE STORY OF LIGHT, this special live concert event gives fans a front row seat to see Vai’s lyrically resonant and technically masterful lead guitar, his licks and solos bending sounds and listeners’ minds in equal measure. The Story of Light follows the journey of a man driven mad by grief, intertwining tragedy, revelation, enlightenment, and redemption.

“I’m always pursuing knowledge, I’m a seeker of spiritual equilibrium—and music is a big part of that,” says Vai. “I’ve been obsessed with these kinds of ideas for years.”

AXS TV celebrates Steve Vai, THE STORY OF LIGHT, his 16th studio album, with this special night LIVE from Club Nokia, as the 15-million album selling artist takes the stage for a national television concert event.

“Our goal as a band is to give the best show we can so that when people leave, they feel good,” explains Vai.

This extraordinary live concert event with Steve Vai airs tomorrow, Friday, October 12th starting at 11:45pm ET / 8:45pm PT exclusively on AXS TV.

 

About AXS TV

Launched in July 2012 under the vision and stewardship of entrepreneur Mark Cuban, AXS TV is the premier destination for live events, breaking news, and as-they-are-happening trends in the worlds of pop culture, music, fashion, and entertainment.

AXS TV Concerts is the premier source on television for 100% live music.  From multi-day festivals to stadium tours to club acts, AXS TV delivers an unparalleled shared experience for fans of all genres. Leveraging the network’s vast landscape, artists expand their reach to live behind-the-scenes moments, live fan Q&As, social media engagement and more unique opportunities specifically for the AXS TV audience. With multiple live concerts weekly, AXS TV is the number one destination for artists and their fans to experience and share a pure live event in the world of music and pop culture. Live LIVE!

The largest independently owned and operated network, AXS TV was developed by entrepreneur Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin.  The network partners include Mark Cuban, AEG, Ryan Seacrest Media and Creative Artists Agency (CAA).  AXS TV is available in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other TV providers.

AXS TV can be found online at www.axs.tv, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/axstv and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/axstv. AXS TV Concerts can be found online at www.axs.tv, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/axstvconcerts and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/axstvconcerts.

About Steve Vai

Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, visionary composer, and consummate producer who sculpts musical sound with infinite creativity and technical mastery. At age 12, he started taking guitar lessons from Joe Satriani.  At 18, he began his professional musical career transcribing for, and then playing with, the legendary Frank Zappa.  More than three decades, 15-million in album sales, and three GRAMMY Awards later, Vai has proven himself, in his own right, one of music’s true originals.

November 11th, 2011

Steve to receive prestigious Les Paul Award at 2012 NAMM

Grammy Award winning composer and producer Steve Vai will be presented with the prestigious Les Paul Award at the 27th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards during the 2012 NAMM Show! Named for one of the industry’s most revered personalities, the Les Paul Award was created in 1991 to honor individuals or institutions that have set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application of recording technology. Past winners include Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Brian Wilson, Sting, Steve Miller, Herbie Hancock, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Steely Dan, Lindsay Buckingham, Ray Benson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Al Kooper, David Byrne, Bob Ludwig/Clair Brothers/Power Station, Alan Parsons, Robbie Robertson and Bob Clearmountain. Visit the Vai.com Forum to wish Steve congratulations on this prestigious honor & here to view the press release on TEC’s website.

September 29th, 2010

Rare Photo Gallery

A small collection of rare & never-seen-before photos highlighting Steve’s childhood memories, early bands, family and tour memories can be viewed on the Sights and Sounds page. Enjoy!