A highly talented composer, guitarist, author and educator specializing in Latin and contemporary jazz, Neff Irizarry follows in the footsteps of Jim Hall, Pat Metheny and Steve Khan. His unique blend of progressive Latin Jazz displays Puerto Rican “Sabor” and a Nordic cool called “Sisu.”
Featured in The European Real Book (Sher Music Co., 2007), Neff has joined the ranks of the most esteemed European composers of jazz. And, with his works, Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar Vol. 1 and Vol. 2: Solos (Sher Music Co., 2021 & 2024), Neff has provided the most comprehensive books on Latin Jazz Guitar ever written.
His critically acclaimed debut CD “Nepenthe” in 2000 and his latest Blue Canoe Release “Cambio” (Change), produced by three-time Grammy Award-winning bassist Jimmy Haslip, features the guitar in a Latin Jazz context without the piano.
Neff’s creativity, dedication and solid groove as a guitarist has enabled him to perform with Eddie Henderson, Jimmy Haslip, Lonnie Liston Smith, Victor Mendoza, Brian Melvin and Anders Bergcrantz, among others, at numerous international clubs and festivals.
As a B.M. and M.M. graduate from the Berklee College of Music, Neff believes in the power of education and self-development. With over 28 years of experience, Neff has lectured and performed at the Jazz Educator’s Network Conference USA and the University of London SOAS, among others, in Europe, Puerto Rico and Scandinavia.
Featured in The European Real Book (Sher Music Co., 2007), Neff has joined the ranks of the most esteemed European composers of jazz. And, with his works, Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar Vol. 1 and Vol. 2: Solos (Sher Music Co., 2021 & 2024), Neff has provided the most comprehensive books on Latin Jazz Guitar ever written.
His critically acclaimed debut CD “Nepenthe” in 2000 and his latest Blue Canoe Release “Cambio” (Change), produced by three-time Grammy Award-winning bassist Jimmy Haslip, features the guitar in a Latin Jazz context without the piano.
Neff’s creativity, dedication and solid groove as a guitarist has enabled him to perform with Eddie Henderson, Jimmy Haslip, Lonnie Liston Smith, Victor Mendoza, Brian Melvin and Anders Bergcrantz, among others, at numerous international clubs and festivals.
As a B.M. and M.M. graduate from the Berklee College of Music, Neff believes in the power of education and self-development. With over 28 years of experience, Neff has lectured and performed at the Jazz Educator’s Network Conference USA and the University of London SOAS, among others, in Europe, Puerto Rico and Scandinavia.
Neff Irizarry's official website: NeffIrizarry.com
