Extraordinary Families has changed the lives of more than 2,000 children in foster care. Together, for 25 years, we’ve written powerful success stories like this…

Chris and Jordan started their journey to parenthood after 11 years of marriage. Agreeing to foster one child, the universe had other plans for them. After receiving a call about two young boys, Joey and Jonathan, they knew they had enough love to welcome both brothers into their home. While preparing for their adoption a year later, they learned that the boys had a baby sister, Samantha, who also needed care. Surprising even themselves, they immediately said yes to keeping the siblings together. All three now share their “gotcha” day on December 5 when they became a forever family!

"Having children opened up a chamber of our hearts that we never knew existed. We couldn’t imagine our family any other way.”

Chris and Jordan did more than they thought they could when they opened their lives to provide a home for three children in need. Consider doing something unexpected too, and give the gift of home to children like Joey, Jonathan, and Samantha by making a donation to Extraordinary Families.

Our Year-End Campaign goal is simple. We want to provide homes for 200 children and youth in foster care in 2020. To reach this ambitious goal, we ask you to join us and make a contribution today.

Thanks to the generosity of two separate donors who have given a matching gift of $25,000, we have a unique opportunity to have your gift of $25, $50, $100 or more doubled if you give now!

Thank you, and best wishes for joyous holiday season,

Barnaby Muff, Interim CEO

GIVE NOW

PS – Make your gift by December 31 and it will be matched by two generous donors!

PPS – To make a year-round impact, register Extraordinary Families as your charity of choice when shopping at smile.Amazon.com. It’s quick and easy and makes a huge difference!

Piano Reductions Vol II continues the tradition of inspired solo piano performances of songs from my catalog. This Volume is performed by the truly amazing virtuoso Miho Arai. She has delicately, and at times tremendously aggressively delivered these performances with focus and passion. Enjoy. https://www.vai.com/pianoreductionsvol2

This Sunday September 16th, Co de Kloet will re-broadcast his one hour SPOTLIGHT broadcast with Steve.

Original airdate: August 12 , 2005 on Radio 4 in his show 4FM

With music by Leonard Bernstein, Igor Strawinsky, Tom Waits, Frank Zappa, Jimmy Page and Steve.

Yet another Steve-Co-operation

The radio show will start at 19:00 local Dutch Time (CEST). You can listen in online via the NPO Radio 2 website by clicking on the button "Luister Live". From Monday 17 September onwards, the show is downloadable as podcast via Itunes.

STEVE VAI ANNOUNCES FIRST ROUND OF GUESTS PERFORMING AT 

“THE BIG MAMA-JAMA JAMATHON” IN LOS ANGELES SEPT. 28-30^th

WHERE THE MUSIC WON’T STOP FOR 52 CONSECUTIVE HOURS

Dave Navarro, Moby, Dweezil Zappa, Al Di Meola, Steve Morse, Lee Ritenour, and Andy Vargas and Souleros Among The First To Commit To Performing At The Event

ONLINE STORE FOR BMJJ WITH EXCITING ITEMS + 

AUCTION WITH MUSIC CELEBRITY-DONATED ITEMS NOW LIVE

• 20% off any purchase
• 30% off orders over $60
•  40% off orders over $120

Some items are excluded.  

The ASO is thrilled to perform with guitarist, composer, and producer Steve Vai, who “has awed fans of all genres with his exceptional guitar skills and musicianship.” Carlos Izcaray calls Vai, “...the Paganini of electric guitar, an artist whose total mastery of the instrument has redefined his craft. His visionary approach transcends any musical genre, and it provides a sound world with infinite possibilities, one that matches perfectly with a full symphony orchestra.”

This Sunday, March 18^th ,  Mr. Vai & Co de Kloet will discuss the creation of Pink & Blows Over in Co Live! 

Co will also air the Complete Version so it turns into yet another SV Special at NTR!

It will air at  20.00 hrs Local Dutch Time (12:00 PDT,  15:00 EDT) on NTR Radio and is released right after the broadcast as a podcast. 

Download this, and all the other Co Live! podcasts right here.

And….

Send Co an email about this: the first 15 emails receive a free limited edition Co Live! CD

colive@ntr.nl

March 10th – Larvik (Norway) – Larvik Gitar Festival (sold out) - http://www.larvikgitarfestival.com/

March 12th – Espoo (Finland) – Sellosali – 7.00 pm - tickets

March 13th – Zoetermeer (Netherlands) – De Boerderij – 8.00 pm  - tickets  Yasi Hofer will open for this class.

March 14th – Guildford (UK) – The Mandolay Hotel – 8.00 pm - tickets

March 17th – Esch sur Alzette (Luxembourg) – Rockhal – 8.00 pm - tickets

March 20th – Athens (Greece) – Athena Live – 7.00 pm - tickets

March 21st – Isola del Liri (FR) (Italy) – Cinema Teatro Mangoni – 8.30 pm - tickets

 Seats are linited, so book yours quickly. See you there!

In year eight, Bacardi NH7 Weekender, India's largest multi-genre music festival heads to the gorgeous hills of Meghayala on October 27-28 and back to the city it calls home, Pune on December 8-10.

Head to the happiest music festival to catch amazing live performances by artists from India and around the world, a buzzing bazaar that'll bring you local finds and foods, inspiring (and Instagram-worthy) art installations, and more of that an unmistakable vibe! One great weekend, a lifetime of memories. Steve will be headlining this festival on October 27/28. 

Get your tickets here:

https://insider.in/event/bacardi-nh7-weekender-2017-meghalaya-oct27-28-2017/buy/shows/59743364274f641706f94d9b/Tickets

Modern Primitive, the stand alone release for the 7th installment of the Steve Vai Secret Jewel Box is now available! This stand alone release of Modern Primitive is a limited edition album and has been modified specifically for Vai's Secret Jewel Box, making this an instant collector's item for Vai fans around the world.

Modern Primitive is comprised of material that was written and partially recorded with Vai's band "The Classified" back in the early 80's. "The Classified" consisted of Tommy Mars on Keyboards, Chris Frazier on drums, Stu Hamm on bass and Sue Mathis on vocals and keyboards that he formed after his first solo record Flex-Able (1983) and prior to the writing and recording of the music on Vai's renowned, Passion and Warfare (1990). Vai completed the recording in 2016, 30 years after its inception. The album represents that missing link that exposes the colossal growth period between Flex-Able and Passion and Warfare.

Vai's Secret Jewel Box Set a deluxe 10"x6"x6" gloss black box, lined with red velvet. Hidden in a flap on the underside of the box in an exclusive CD interview with Steve specifically about the project. Much of the recordings contained in The Secret Jewel Box are comprised of various material from dozens of different records including guest appearances, film soundtracks, bonus tracks, a piano reduction CD, and a full CD comprised of choice tracks that Vai contributed to while working with Frank Zappa in the early 80's. All of the rare and essential Vai recordings that do not appear on his solo records are collected here, with many surprises for even the most hardcore collector. A limited run of 7,000 units of the box set was manufactured and sold out.

Favored Nations' Modern Primitive is now available in our web store

Now in its fourth year, Acoustic-4-A-Cure has quickly become one of the year’s hottest tickets, with legendary artists performing acoustic sets, epic collaborations and impromptu jams from the stages of intimate and storied San Francisco venues like The Fillmore.  The benefit was created by Bay Area rock legends Sammy Hagar and James Hetfield, whose vision was to raise needed funds and awareness for the pediatric cancer research by throwing a must-see concert for fans and donating all of the proceeds to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital.  In past years, artists including John Mayer, Billie Joe Armstrong, Jerry Cantrell, Melissa Ethridge, Joe Satriani, Pat Monahan, Adam Sandler, Nancy Wilson, Linda Perry, Chad Smith, Vic Johnson, Tommy Lee and Kris Kristoferson have joined Hagar and Hetfield to rock the sold-out benefit concerts.

The 39th Annual Kennedy Center Honors Broadcast on CBS featuring Steve as part of the musical tribute to the Eagles, airs on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 9 p.m. EST / 8 p.m. CST on CBS-TV and CBS All Access.

The annual ceremony, which was hosted by The Late Show's own Stephen Colbert and attended by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on Dec. 4, paid tribute to the 2016 honorees: pianist Martha Argerich, rock legends the Eagles, actor Al Pacino, gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples, and singer-songwriter James Taylor.

Here is a little preview:

Thanks to @stevevai for paying a visit to #TrunkNation today. Catch the replay tonight 9-11P ET / 6-8 PT on @siriusxmvolume 106 pic.twitter.com/3NHztXYiLy

— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) November 8, 2016

The schedule for Vai Academy 2017 has been announced. This intensive 4 day camp, called "Passion and Technique" features Steve Vai, Zakk Wyldel Al Di Meola, Carlos Alomar, Stig Mathisen, Dave Weiner (official music page), Philip Bynoe, Jeremy Colson & Doug Doppler! You won't want to miss this one! To reserve your spot visit the vai academy website. 

Vai Academy 3.0 Schedule Mon. Jan. 2 1:00PM-5:30PM - Arrival and Check In 5:30PM-7:00PM - Steve Vai Welcoming Remarks and Q&A 7:00PM-8:30PM - Dinner 8:30PM - Opening Night Concert followed by Camper Jamming with Steve Tues. Jan. 3 8:00AM-10:00AM - Breakfast 10:00AM-11:30AM - Steve Vai Master Class 11:30AM-1:00PM - Carlos Alomar Session 1:00PM-2:30PM - Lunch 2:30PM-4:00PM - Steve Vai and Carlos Alomar Joint Session- Lead and Rhythm 4:00PM-5:30PM - Breakout Sessions with Stig Mathisen and Doug Doppler 5:30PM-7:00PM - Free time to jam, practice, relax, check out presentations from our gear companies, or join Al DiMeola’s Session or the Play With Steve’s Band Session! (For the Play With Steve’s Band Sessions, we will be providing a list of 10 Steve Vai songs. Attendees can choose any one of these songs to play with Steve’s band. Limited to one song per person.) 7:00PM-8:30PM - Dinner 8:30PM - Concert followed by Camper Jamming with Steve Wed. Jan. 4 8:00AM-10:00AM - Breakfast 10:00AM-11:30AM - Steve Vai Master Class 11:30AM-1:00PM - Al DiMeola Session 1:00PM-2:30PM - Lunch 2:30PM-4:00PM - Group Photo followed by individual shots with instructors 4:00PM-5:30PM - Steve Vai and Al DiMeola Joint Session 5:30PM-7:00PM - Breakout Sessions with Zakk Wylde, Doug Doppler, and Stig Mathisen, or Play With Steve’s Band 7:00PM-8:30PM - Dinner 8:30PM - Concert followed by Camper Jamming with Steve Thurs. Jan. 5 8:00AM-10:00AM - Breakfast 10:00AM-11:30AM - Steve Vai Master Class 11:30AM-1:00PM - Zakk Wylde Session 1:00PM-4:00PM - Lunch with a chance to purchase merchandise and a signing session with the instructors! 4:00PM-5:30PM - Steve Vai and Zakk Wylde Joint Session 5:30PM-7:00PM - Free time to jam, practice, relax, check out presentations from our gear companies, or join either the Doug Doppler, Stig Mathisen, or Play With Steve’s Band Session 7:00PM-8:30PM - Dinner 8:30PM - Concert followed by Camper Jamming with Steve Fri. Jan. 6  8:00AM-10:00AM - Breakfast 11:30AM - Check Out

Today, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame (LIMHoF) proudly announced their 2016 inductees - a diverse array of performers, groups, music industry leaders and venues that have made significant contributions to Long Island’s rich music history.

This years’ class of inductees includes legendary music executive Charles Koppelman, guitarist and composer Steve Vai, singer/songwriter Garland Jeffreys, film composer Carter Burwell, hip-hop performer Big Daddy Kane, legendary songwriters/instrumentalists Santo & Johnny, early jazz specialist/bandleader Vince Giordano, and Westbury Music Fair, now the NYCB Theater at Westbury.  The LIMHoF will also present the 2016 Harry Chapin Award to Steven Van Zandt for his dedication to music education on Long Island and across the country. Additionally, LIMHoF honors the 2015 and 2016 Music Educators of Note -- Long Island public or private school educators who have demonstrated an exceptional and long-term commitment to music education, as well as Long Island music students.

All of the inductees were selected from LIMHoF’s evolving and growing list of involved people, artists, groups and entities that were born, raised, were founded, or have resided on Long Island for a significant portion of their career or existence.

On Thursday, November 3, 2016, the Sixth Induction Awards Ceremony and Fundraising Gala with a star-studded red carpet event will take place at The Space at Westbury, 250 Post Avenue, Westbury, New York.

In addition to tributes, performances and introductions by the class of inductees, the Induction Ceremony will host a variety of celebrity appearances, musical performances and visits from former inductees.  Past attendees have included: Billy Joel, Lou Reed, LL Cool J, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Eddie Money, Joan Jett, Clive Davis, Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge, members of KISS, Paul Shaffer, Leslie West & Mountain, Roger Waters, Blue Oyster Cult, Taylor Dayne, Little Anthony, Laurie Anderson, Charlie Daniels, Al Kooper, Salt N Pepa, Vanilla Fudge, Alec Baldwin, the family of Aaron Copland, Public Enemy, members of Dream Theater, Ron Delsener, and many more.

"On behalf of myself and the entire Board of Directors of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, we are thrilled to have a new class of inductees join a long list of incredible people who have made their mark on the music industry”, said Joe Jankowski, Executive Director of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.  “This Induction Ceremony is set to be one of our best yet and as always, we have quite a few surprises up our sleeves."

“I am very pleased that the Long Island Music Hall of Fame has chosen The Space at Westbury for its prestigious induction ceremony.  We look forward to hosting this extraordinary event,” said Cyrus Hakakian, founder and owner of The Space at Westbury.

Discounted Pre-sale tickets will go on sale Tuesday September 13, 2016 at 11am, and end Friday, September 16, at 10am. General on-sale will then begin. General seating starts at $95 ($75 presale) and are available through Ticketmaster online at http://thespaceatwestbury.com.  Premium VIP table seating and sponsorships are available, which includes an exclusive VIP Pre-Induction Awards Dinner Party, Performances, and Awards Ceremony.

For information about Premium seating, please contact the Long Island Music Hall of Fame at 516-938-1626 or info@limusichalloffame.org or visit http://thespaceatwestbury.com

September 18th: Fiorano (Modena), Italy - Teatro Astoria - 7.00 pm - info: www.musicaafiorano.it   

September 19th: San Giovanni alla Vena (Pisa), Italy - Blitz Live Music Pub - 9.30 pm - info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1742215382702093/

September 20th: Roma, Italy – Planet Live Club – 9.30 pm – info: http://www.planetliveclub.com/programma.htm

September 21st: Cagliari, Italy - Auditorium Comunale – info: https://www.facebook.com/events/295614800778230/

September 23rd: Foggia, Italy - Teatro Giordano – 9.00 pm - info: gguitare@libero.it

September 24th: Martirano Lombardo (Catanzaro), Italy – Sala Cesare Nava – 8.30 pm - info: https://www.facebook.com/events/213327332395614/

September 25th: Palermo, Italy – Teatro Santa Cecilia – 9.00 pm - info: palermo@maninternational.it

September 26th: Verona, Italy  – Teatro Astra – 9.00 pm – info: https://www.facebook.com/events/315451952126222/

Very cool news: 

Long time The Breed band member Tony MacAlpine, who incidentally celebrates his birthday today, will Join Steve’s tour to open on the following dates:

Oct 8: Riverside, CA – Fox Performing Arts Center

Oct 9: Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues

Oct 11: San Diego, CA – House Of Blues

Oct 12: Ventura, CA – Ventura Theater

Oct 13: San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore

Oct 14: Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades

Oct 16: Portland, OR – Revolution Hall

Tony will be joined by his band: Aquiles Priester (drums) and Bjorn Englen (bass).

We are so happy that Tony is recovering and feeling back to normal, and thrilled that he will join this part of the Passion & Warfare 25th ann. tour as part of his own tour during October.

Check out www.tonymacalpine.com for the remainder of his solo tour dates. 

Steve Vai, Incubus and Donovan are giving a special concert for the Desmond Tutu Legacy Project on October 7th at The Saban Theater in Los Angele! Pre-sale tickets are now available and GA seating tickets go on sale this Saturday, Aug 20: http://www.ticketmaster.com/incubus-donovan-steve-vai-unity-the-beverly-hills-california-10-07-2016/event/0B00510AA3753749

Steve’s First Leather Jacket w Hand Painted “Fire Garden” Artwork from Tabitha Rose

True to Vai form, this Passion and Warfare edition of Alien Guitar Secrets goes way beyond the call of educational and inspirational duty for any student of guitar, at any level of play.

In the first half of this interactive video masterclass, three-time GRAMMY Award winner Steve Vai shares priceless insight and ingenious methods to help you discover and unlock your personal musical identity -- the very same approaches he used to achieve his own mastery of the instrument and unparalleled success as a professional musician.

Topics and methods presented in the first half of the course include: 3-Step Manifestation, Deeper Than Technique, Develop Your Tone, Exercises Build Chops, Theory, Scales & Colors, Training Your Inner Ear, The Fragrance of Chords, Intonation, Bending Notes, Vibrato, Dynamics & Phrasing, The Dimension of Listening, and The Quality of Thought.

In the second half of the masterclass, Steve treats you to revealing overviews, with select playing examples, for each of the songs on his groundbreaking Passion and Warfare album -- highly regarded as one of the greatest instrumental rock guitar recordings of all-time.

Passion and Warfare song overviews include: "Liberty," "Erotic Nightmares," "The Animal," "Answers," "The Riddle," "Ballerina 12/24," "For The Love of God," "The Audience Is Listening," "I Would Love To," "Blue Powder," "Greasy Kid's Stuff," "Alien Water Kiss," "Sisters," and "Love Secrets." Steve also gives you a quick rundown of his guitar and gear in a Gear Talk segment.

The video masterclass (Windows, Mac, and iOS compatible) features 4+ hours of video lessons, tab/notation for select playing examples (for complete transcriptions and notation, pick up the Passion and Warfare Songbook published by Hal Leonard).

Steve also generously includes the Passion and Warfare Naked Tracks for all of the songs on the album (original tracks from the album minus the lead guitar track) along with 6 live video performances including "Liberty," "The Animal," "Answers," "For The Love of God," "The Audience Is Listening," and "Sisters."

“If you want to play something that you can't, you need to see and hear yourself doing it in your minds eye. It will start to happen.” - Steve Vai

 Alien Guitar Secrets: Passion and Warfare masterclass is now available at TrueFire.

Steve will do a few Alien Guitar Secrets Masterclasses in Italy this September.

See below for the dates and current information (More information will be added as it becomes available):

September 18th: Fiorano (Modena), Italy - Teatro Astoria - 7.00 pm - info: www.musicaafiorano.it   

September 19th: San Giovanni alla Vena (Pisa), Italy - Blitz Live Music Pub - 9.30 pm - info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1742215382702093/

September 20th: Roma, Italy – Planet Live Club – 9.30 pm – info: http://www.planetliveclub.com/programma.htm

September 21st: Cagliari, Italy - Auditorium Comunale – info: https://www.facebook.com/events/295614800778230/

September 23rd: Foggia, Italy - Teatro Giordano – 9.00 pm - info: gguitare@libero.it

September 24th: Martirano Lombardo (Catanzaro), Italy – Sala Cesare Nava – 8.30 pm - info: https://www.facebook.com/events/213327332395614/

September 25th: Palermo, Italy – Teatro Santa Cecilia – 9.00 pm - info: palermo@maninternational.it

September 26th: Verona, Italy  – Teatro Astra – 9.00 pm – info: https://www.facebook.com/events/315451952126222/

Steve Vai proudly invites you to the third incarnation of Vai Academy, for 4 days and nights of non stop guitar, start to finish, January 2-6, 2017. Join us at the beautiful Asilomar Center, beautifully positioned in the oceanfront village of Carmel, California.

Visit our website vaiacademy.com to learn more!

This year's Vai Academy will be 'Passion & Technique' where you'll spend 4 days and nights discovering the intricacy of the guitar while jamming the day away with Steve Vai, his band and special guests including Zakk Wylde, Al Di Meola, and Carlos Alomar.

Vai Academy V3.0 will feature hands on, interactive workshops with Steve and his special guests, small group jamming sessions and performances from the artists beginning at 10 AM and going late into the night.

But hurry, because there is very limited availability. Reserve your spot today!

The Pacific Ocean is right outside your door!

1. Bop!
2. Dark Matter
3. Mighty Messengers
4. The Lost Chord
5. Upanishads
6. Fast Note People
7. And We Are One
8. Never Forever
9. Lights Are On
10. No Pockets
11. Pink and Blows Over: Part 1
12. Pink and Blows Over: Part 2 (Mars Attack)
13. Pink and Blows Over: Part 3 (Jazzbo Paddle-foot)

1. Liberty
2. Erotic Nightmares
3. The Animal
4. Answers
5. The Riddle
6. Ballerina 12/24
7. For Love Of God
8. The Audience ls Listening
9. I Would Love To
10. Blue Powder
11. Greasy Kid's Stuff
12. Alien Water Kiss
13. Sisters
14. Love Secrets
15. Lovely Elixir (Bonus)
16. And We Are One (Solo #2) (Bonus)
17. As Above (Bonus)
18. So Below (Bonus)

• A Q&A session with Steve
• Personal Meet & Greet
• A Passion & Warfare 25th Anniversary Tourbook
• A DiMarzio Guitar Strap
• A Passion & Warfare guitar pick
• Early access to the venue
• Personal Photograph with Steve
• Autographed 8x10 photo
• Official EVO Tour laminate
• VIP Access to the pre-show soundcheck.

TWO SHOWS AT THE IRIDIUM ON MAY 11^th TO BE TAPED FOR ACCLAIMED SERIES, “FRONT AND CENTER”

Tickets On Sale Thursday, May 5th At Noon ET

May 5, 2016 – Next Wednesday evening, May 11th, Steve Vai will perform two exclusive sets at The Iridium in New York City — the most intimate room Vai has headlined in years.  The shows will take place at 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm.  Tickets can be purchased here beginning today at Noon ET.  

For the 8:00 pm show: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?eventId=6710435&dispatch=loadSelectionData&REFID=iridiumlist

For the 10:30 pm show - http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?eventId=6710445&dispatch=loadSelectionData&REFID=iridiumlist

Both Vai performances are being filmed for a future episode of the critically acclaimed public television concert series “Front and Center,” scheduled to air in early 2017 during the seventh season of the show.  This show also kicks off The Iridium's annual celebration of its legacy as "The Home of Les Paul."  With more events featuring iconic performers to be announced, The Iridium will be honoring its most famous resident guitarist with special performances leading up to what would have been Les Paul's 101st birthday on June 9^th.

Over the past several years, “Front and Center” has presented a mix of Grammy, Country Music Association, and American Music Award winners, rock icons, and multi-Platinum artists including Santana, Paul Rodgers, Cheap Trick, Steven Tyler, Keith Urban, Jack Johnson, Joe Jackson, John Hiatt, Lady Antebellum, Buddy Guy, Little Big Town, Cyndi Lauper, The Fray, for King & Country, Train, Trey Anastasio, and more.

Vai will be launching his Passion and Warfare 25th Anniversary World Tour beginning at the World Guitar Festival in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, on May 28, 2016.  Following that festival play and an extensive run in Europe that will include stops in Scotland, England, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Poland, France, Switzerland and many other countries, the tour will arrive in the United States in October.  Additional concerts in America and abroad will be announced at a later date.

For more information on the “Front and Center” music series, please visit:   www.frontandcenter.com and for select tickets to the “Front and Center” tapings at The Iridium, visit:  www.theiridium.com.

VAI WILL HOST THIRD VAI ACADEMY GUITAR CAMP IN CARMEL, CA, JAN. 2-6, 2017

LOS ANGELES — To commemorate the 25th anniversary of his landmark album, Passion and Warfare, Steve Vai has announced he will be embarking on a very special world tour celebrating the groundbreaking recording.  

Passion and Warfare is highly regarded as one of the greatest instrumental rock guitar recordings of all time.  For the first time Vai will be performing the entire Passion and Warfare record from top to bottom, with some very special surprises in store. 

Vai will be launching his PAW Euro tour hot off the Generation Axe tour and will be performing at the World Guitar Festival in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, on May 28, 2016. This will mark the first date of the Passion and Warfare 25th Anniversary Tour.  Following that festival play and an extensive run in Europe that will include stops in Scotland, England, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Poland, France, Switzerland and many other countries, the tour will arrive in the United States in October.  Additional concerts in America and abroad will be announced at a later date.

"Performing this record from top to bottom (with some very special surprises in the works) is something I’ve always dreamed of doing,” Vai said.  “There are songs here I’ve never performed before, and I’m delighted that 25 years after its release, I feel as though my guitar chops are as much up to the task as ever before."

The tour will feature a unique premium package:  the Passion and Warfare EVO Experience, where among other things fans will have an opportunity to sit with Steve in an intimate Q&A session.  A limited number of EVO Experience tickets will be available for each show.

In the next few weeks, there will be an official announcement regarding the release by Sony Music Entertainment and Legacy Recordings of Passion and Warfare 25th Anniversary Edition, a remastered version of the original recording featuring four bonus tracks, and a new companion album called Modern Primitive, which includes material that was either recorded or written after Vai’s first solo record Flex-Able and prior to the writing and recording of the music on Passion and Warfare. These tracks have not been previously released.

“Modern Primitive is by far my most adventurous recording to date, and I feel as though it’s my most telling release.”

Vai will also be performing select G3 dates with Joe Satriani and The Aristrocrats in Italy and Germany during the month of July.

Vai will host his third Vai Academy at the Asilomar Center (www.visitasilomar.com) in Carmel, California, Jan. 2-6, 2017.  Special guests will be announced soon when the camp goes on sale.  For more information, e-mail: info@dreamcatcherevents.com.  

“I can’t be more blown away by our line up of special guests that will be joining us in January 2017 for our next Vai Academy,” Vai said.  “The theme for this camp will be focusing on technique, and going deeper than technique to find a player’s individual and unique voice on the instrument." 

Steve Vai - Passion and Warfare 25th Anniversary World Tour Dates

May 28 - Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec - World Guitar Festival

June 1 - Glasgow, Scotland - O2 ABC Glasgow

June 2 - London, England - London Palladium

June 3 - Newcastle Upon Tyne, England - O2 Academy Newcastle

June 5 - Manchester, England - O2 Ritz Manchester

June 6 - Brighton, England - The Dome

June 7 - Bristol, England - Academy

June 9 - Helsinki, Finland - The House of Culture 

June 11 - Solvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock Festival

June 12 - Oslo, Norway - Rockefeller Music Hall

June 13 - Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Medis, Ballroom

June 14 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Amager Bio

June 15 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Pusterviksbaren

June 17 - Leuven, Belgium - Het Depot

June 18 - Gutenstetten, Germany - Ibanez Guitar Festival

June 20 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja

June 21 - Prague, Czech Republic - Lucerna Music Bar

June 23 - Vienna, Austria - Simm City

June 24 - Dornbirn, Austria - Conrad Sohm

June 26 - Paris, France - Le Trianon

June 27 - Solothurn, Switzerland - Kofmehl

June 28 - Schaffhausen, Switzerland - Kammgarn

June 29 - Luxembourg, Luxembourg - den Atelier

June 30 - Lausanne, Switzerland - Les Docks

July 2 - Rome, Italy - Rock In Roma (G3 with Joe Satriani & The Aristocrats)

July 3 - Sogliano Al Rubicone, Italy (G3 with Joe Satriani & The Aristocrats)

July 4 - Ascoli Piceno, Itlay - Piazza del Popolo (G3 with Joe Satriani & The Aristocrats)

July 5 - Grugliasco, Italy - Gru Village (G3 with Joe Satriani & The Aristocrats)

July 6 - Gardone Riviera, Italy - Teatro del Vittoriale 

July 7 - Udine, Italy - Castello di Udine

July 10 - Weert, Netherlands - Bospop Festival

July 11 - Munich, Germany - Circus Krone (G3 with Joe Satriani & The Aristocrats)

July 12 - Offenbach A. Main, Germany - Stadthalle (G3 with Joe Satriani & The Aristocrats)

July 13 - Bonn, Germany - Kunst!rasen (G3 with Joe Satriani & The Aristocrats)

July 16 - Cordoba, Spain - Anfiteatro Axerquia

July 17 - San Javier, Spain - Auditrio Parque Almansa

July 18 - Madrid, Spain - Jardines de la Complutense

July 19 - Valencia, Spain - Jardines de los Viveros

July 20 - Palma, Spain - Teatro Trui

July 21 - Barcelona, Spain - BARTS Club Paral.lel 62

July 23 - Lisbon, Portugal - Cultural Centre of Belem

July 24 - Vila, Portugal - Hard Club

July 28 - Budapest, Hungary - Park Budapest

July 30 - Tbilisi, Georgia - Tbilisi Open Air

Monday July 11th 2016

Munich, GERMANY

Venue – Circus Krone

Tickets: https://www.adticket.de/Shooter-Shop.html…

Tuesday July 12th 2016

Offenbach, GERMANY

Venue – Stadthalle

Tickets: https://www.adticket.de/Shooter-Shop.html…

Wednesday July 13th 2016

Bonn, GERMANY

Venue – Kunstrasen

Tickets: https://www.adticket.de/Shooter-Shop.html…

G3 is back!!

Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and The Aristocrats (featuring Guthrie Govan, Marco Minnemann & Bryan Beller) - for dates in July in Italy.  Tickets for each will be available via the ticket outlet, Ticketone and are going on sale Februari 26 at 10 a.am local time.  

Saturday July 2nd 2016

City - Rome, Italy

Venue - Rock In Roma / Moon Stage @ Ippodromo delle Capannelle

Sunday July 3rd 2016

City - Sogliano al Rubicone, Italy (province of Forlì-Cesena)

Venue - Piazza Matteotti

Monday July 4th 2016

City - Ascoli Piceno, Italy

Venue - Piazza del Popolo

STEVE VAI, ZAKK WYLDE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, 

NUNO BETTENCOURT & TOSIN ABASI COME TOGETHER 

FOR GENERATION AXE - A NIGHT OF GUITARS

TOUR BEGINS APRIL 5^TH 

TICKETS ON SALE FEBRUARY 19^TH

February 16, 2016 – The term “supergroup” gets thrown around on a regular basis these days, however, a new tour featuring some of the greatest guitarists of all time is about to truly give the term a whole new meaning.

Introducing: Generation Axe, featuring Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt, and Tosin Abasi.

Beginning on April 5^th in Seattle, Generation Axe - A Night Of Guitars is hitting the road for 26 performances in North America.  Tickets for all shows go on sale Friday, February 19^th.

"The Generation Axe show is a unique performance of five fiercely talented guitar players coming together to create a 6-string extravaganza that is sure to amaze and delight,” commented Steve Vai.

The Generation Axe fan experience will go way beyond simply gathering five guitar greats on one stage to jam.  Each tour stop will include a variety of collaborations by the five players, including everyone performing together as one cohesive band with a rhythm section including Pete Griffin (Dweezil Zappa, Stanley Clarke, Edgar Winter) on bass and Nick Marinovich (Yngwie Malmsteen) on keys.  Vai, Wylde, Malmsteen, Bettencourt and Abasi will perform songs from their various catalogs and join forces on some well-known songs (as well as probably a few unexpected, unearthed gems).  

Making this rare tour experience even more special, Generation Axe VIP packages will be offered, giving fans access to these guitars masters and exclusive one-of-a-kind memorabilia.  A front row package (including a meet & greet), a meet & greet package, and a VIP tour package will be available.  For more information, visit www.generationaxe.com. 

About the Generation Axe Members

While many artists fit easily into a single category, Steve Vai remains unclassifiable.  Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, visionary composer, and consummate audio producer who sculpts musical sound with infinite creativity and technical mastery.  He is one of the most in-demand, versatile, eloquent and soulful guitarists in the business.  The GRAMMY Award-winner has sold over 15 million albums and toured the world as a solo artist, a member of G3, and with Frank Zappa, Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, and Whitesnake.  Vai launched his successful solo career with the release of Flex-Able in 1984 and has written, produced, and engineered all of his solo albums.  He has appeared as a guest artist on more than 40 albums and created music for blockbuster films, best-selling video games, national sports franchises, and corporate brand initiatives. Vai has earned honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music and Musicians Institute.  For more info, visit:  www.vai.com

GRAMMY Award-winner Zakk Wylde’s legendary career includes a lengthy tenure with Ozzy Osbourne in which Wylde co-wrote and recorded several albums, including the multi-platinum No More Tears, Osbourne’s largest selling solo album featuring the classic hit single, “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and the bulk of the double platinum 2002 set, Ozzmosis.  With Osbourne, Wylde has played on countless world tours and television appearances, with his signature bullseye Les Paul in tow.  Wylde has his mitts imprinted on Hollywood’s Rock Walk of Fame; guest-starred alongside Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston in the movie “Rockstar”; and even momentarily joined Axl, Slash and Duff in Guns N’ Roses.  But nothing offers the pure expression of Zakk Wylde’s animalistic “id” like Black Label Society, the stomping, heavy, bluesy, recklessly unhinged hard-rock-metal quartet who are quick to rip up a solo as to dip into a piano-fueled anthemic ballad.  For more info, visit:  www.zakkwylde.com

When Yngwie J. Malmsteen hit the scene in the early 80s, he turned the entire guitar world upside down; never before was guitar playing like his ever heard. Drawing inspiration from his love for Baroque and Romantic classical music, Malmsteen employs classical violin techniques such as four and five octave arpeggios, pedal notes, and harmonic minor, diminished and Phrygian scales, flawlessly delivered at mind-boggling levels of speed and clarity. In doing so, he has singlehandedly created a brand new style of guitar playing and composing that is still derived from today. In addition to having written and produced 35+ neoclassical rock albums, Malmsteen composed and orchestrated the "Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra,” which he recorded with the prestigious Czech Philharmonic in Prague, conducted by Yoel Levy of Atlanta Symphony fame. Malmsteen subsequently performed the piece live with the the New Japan Philharmonic and the Taipei Symphony, among others.  Malmsteen has received numerous Grammy nominations, hundreds of magazine covers, dozens of Reader's Poll and Composer of the Year Awards, a plaque on the Rock Walk of Fame, signature model guitars, amps, pickups, strings, picks, pedals, microphones, and more. TIME Magazine placed him as one of the top ten guitarists of all time. Some 35 years and 25 million+ album sales later, Yngwie shows no signs of slowing down, with his brand new record World on Fire due for release in April 2016.  For more info, visit:  www.yngwiemalmsteen.com

Guitar virtuoso, singer-songwriter, and record producer, Nuno Bettencourt rose to international prominence as a guitar player with the GRAMMY-nominated, Boston-area band EXTREME, one of the most successful rock acts of the early to mid 1990s selling over 10 million records worldwide. Musically, EXTREME is dominated by Bettencourt’s blistering guitar riffs, often with funky, syncopated timing, and incendiary, high-speed rock/metal solos. Bettencourt penned the acoustic ballad “More Than Words” that went to #1 on the Billboard charts and “Hole Hearted” that reached #4. He has released multiple solo albums as well as with bands he founded including Mourning Widows Population 1, Dramagods and Satellite Party. Bettencourt has written, produced and performed with many legendary artists including Rihanna, Steven Tyler, Paul McCartney, Janet Jackson and many others.  For more info, visit:  www.nunobettencourt.com 

Oluwatosin Ayoyinka Olumide Abasi, better known as Tosin Abasi, is a Nigerian American guitarist known as the guitar player and founder of the instrumental progressive metal band, Animals as Leaders.  Abasi’s compositions of intricate music have garnered critical acclaim in a few short years. Abasi is part of the breed of new contemporary players who are raising the bar on the concept of electric guitar virtuosity.  His approach to the guitar stems from a passion for advanced techniques and harmony. Using 7-, 8-, and 9-string guitars have allowed Abasi to create a highly unique and individual sound.  For more info, visit:  www.facebook.com/animalsasleaders 

Generation Axe - A Night Of Guitars is produced by Copeland International Arts and is booked by CAA.

For more information:  www.generationaxe.com. 

GENERATION AXE TOUR DATES

April 5, 2016 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre

April 6, 2016 - Vancouver, BC - Queen Elizabeth Theatre

April 8, 2016 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater

April 9, 2016 - Las Vegas, NV - The Joint

April 10, 2016 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay

April 11, 2016 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern

April 13, 2016 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre

April 15, 2016 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theatre

April 16, 2016 - Salina, KS - The Stiefel Theatre

April 17, 2016 - Dallas, TX - Bomb Factory

April 18, 2016 - Houston, TX - Revention Music Center

April 20, 2016 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre

April 21, 2016 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live

April 23, 2016 - Wilmington, NC - Cape Fear Community College

April 24, 2016 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre

April 25, 2016 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre

April 26, 2016 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theatre

April 27, 2016 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium

April 29, 2016 - Chicago, IL - Copernicus Center

May 1, 2016 - Madison, WI - Orpheum Theatre

May 2, 2016 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre

May 4, 2016 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall

May 5, 2016 - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theater

May 6, 2016 - Westbury, NY - Theatre at Westbury

May 7, 2016 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

May 8, 2016 - Providence, RI - Providence Performing Arts Center

• Maple UV Neck
• American Basswood Body
• Jumbo Frets
• Rosewood Fretboard
• Disappearing Pyramid Inlay
• Lo-Pro Edge 7 Bridge
• DiMarzio Blaze pickups
• Ultralite Trem Arm included
• Hardshell case included
• Certificate of Authenticity included.

Today the Ebay auction for the two Melcor GME-20 EQ’s is up on Ebay and will run for the next 10 days. Here's your chance to get your hands on some unique Steve Vai owned equipment, directly from his studio.

Win a BOSS DD-7 Digital Delay autographed by Steve Vai plus $1,000 in BOSS gear! Enter Now through Dec. 13th:  http://www.bossus.com/bigbossgiveaway

Immerse yourself in one of the greatest musical experiences you’ll ever participate in as Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp presents four of the greatest guitarists and a legendary drummer, headlining this camp, along with 15 incredible touring rock star counselors including bass players, guitar players, keyboard players, vocalists, etc...

Coming February 11-14, 2016 – PRESIDENTS DAY weekend/GRAMMY weekend, ROCK AND ROLL FANTASY CAMP presents TONY IOMMI, founding member and lead guitar player of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy winning hard rock band BLACK SABBATH, Tony Iommi is synonymous with heavy rock, his innovative, de-tuned, dark riffs are considered to be the blueprint for hundreds of bands that followed. Also appearing will be Warren Haynes, who is best known for his work as longtime guitarist with The Allman Brothers Band and as founding member of the jam band Gov't Mule, as well as his associations with the surviving members of the Grateful Dead, including touring with Phil Lesh and Friends and The Dead. ZAKK WYLDE who is best known as the guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, and founder of the band Black Label Society. He was also the lead guitarist and vocalist in Pride & Glory, and as a solo artist he released Book of Shadows. And legendary guitar hero, GRAMMY AWARD winning artist STEVE VAI, who has sold over 15 million albums and has recorded and toured with Frank Zappa, Public Image Ltd., Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, and as a solo artist.

You will also get to meet surprise guest superstars who will be in town for The GRAMMY’s…Come celebrate with us and live out YOUR rock and roll fantasy!

Along with meeting and jamming with these incredible talents, you and your band will perform at the infamous WHISKY A GO GO on the legendary Sunset Strip in Hollywood CA.

For more information and registration, visit the rock camp website here. 

STEVE VAI // ALIEN GUITAR SECRETS MASTER CLASSES — CANADA

June 2, 2015 - Vancouver, BC - Vancouver Technical Secondary School

6:30 p.m.

Address:

2600 East Broadway

Vancouver, BC

V5M 1Y5

https://www.long-mcquade.com/news/2475/

: : : :

June 3, 2015 - Edmonton, AB - Telus World of Science - Kinetic Hall

7:00 p.m.

Address:

11211 142 Street NW

Edmonton, AB

T5M 4A1

https://www.long-mcquade.com/news/2475/

: : : :

June 4, 2015 - Calgary, AB - Engineered Air Theatre - Epcor Centre For The Performing Arts

7:00 p.m.

Address:

205 8 Ave. SE

Calgary, AB

T2G 0K9

https://www.long-mcquade.com/news/2475/

: : : :

June 6, 2015 - Richmond Hill, ON - Cosmopolitan Music Hall (Inside Cosmo Music)

1:00 p.m.

Address:

10 Via Renzo Dr.

Richmond Hill, ON

L4S 0B6

http://cosmomusic.ca/blogs/2015/05/its-happening-a-masterclass-with-the-legend-himself-steve-vai

: : : :

June 7, 2015 - Montreal, QC - Maison Theatre

2:00 p.m.

Address:

245 Ontario St. E.

Montreal, QC

H2X 3Y6

http://www.stevesmusic.com/special-events