Joe Amato: First-Call Guitarist

Joe Amato

How does a teenage guitarist playing in punk rock bands in Houston become a sought after classical, jazz, and Brazilian guitarist in San Diego a few decades later? That’s the circuitous musical journey 49-year-old guitarist Joe Amato took in what has been a long and winding road in music and in life.

After graduating from Kingwood High School in Houston, Amato set his sights on a career in music by attending North Texas State University, an institution with a stellar reputation for jazz studies. “I went there to study jazz,” he stated, “but I left there after two years and moved to Austin to play in a rock band with my high school buddies. We had a big band house and our band toured around the country in a van for four or five years in the late ’90s playing up to 250 shows a year,” he recounted.

After his band fell apart, Amato went back to school to study classical guitar at Texas State University. “I got my classical guitar performance degree, which allowed me to study classical guitar and jazz equally. My jazz instructor, Russ Scanlon, introduced me to Brazilian music and specifically Choro [considered the first characteristically Brazilian genre of urban popular music]. I played with him and some friends in a Choro group there and ever since I’ve been obsessed with Brazilian music and culture. I’ve found Choro to be an interesting mix of classical and jazz, melodically and technically very classical, but with jazz harmony with much more of a groove. I’ve also been obsessed with tango music as well,” he concluded.

Feeling like it was the right time to leave Texas, Amato and his wife, Rachel, moved to San Diego in 2005. “My wife and I have been married 22 years and we now have three daughters, ages 10, 13, and 17,” he said. “It’s challenging making music a career when you just want to be home with your family at night, however they are understanding and supportive, although I’m sure if I got a day job they wouldn’t mind,” he reflected.

Amato (far left) and Choro Sotaque, led by Stefanie Schmitz.

Since Amato’s arrival in San Diego, he has immersed himself in the local music scene, performing on myriad stages including playing his seven-string classical guitar with the group Choro Sotaque, which specializes in vintage Brazilian jazz. “Otherwise, I only really get a chance to play that music when I perform solo,” he explained, “or when I’m playing with my longtime duo partner Scot Taber, who is also an excellent flamenco guitarist in our guitar duo Paper Moon. I’m looking forward to playing more Brazilian music on my seven string and more Country and Hawaiian music when I’m playing steel guitar and dobro.”

Additionally, Amato and guitarist Jon Garner have teamed up in performing Gypsy jazz material in their duo guitar performances. “Joe is one of my favorite people in the world,” said Garner. “I love playing gigs with him; he knows his stuff and it’s always a good hang. We can jump into any style and goof around. I can always trust to send him out on any gig, he’s the man.”

Also, he’s performed with violinist Chris Vitas, playing Gypsy jazz standards as well. “Joe is the consummate Gypsy guitarist. It’s such a joy to perform with him. He always makes it look so easy, and he’s obviously having way too much fun!”

Whitney Shay Trio with Joe Amato and Jodie Hill.

Amato is one of the few guitarists anywhere that can wear many different musical hats as he detailed in his often calls to play in a variety of pop music settings. He’s performed with a variety of notable singers, including Whitney Shay. “Joe and I have been working together for about six years now,” said Shay. I’ve been lucky to work with so many fantastic musicians over the years, but I have to say Joe is one of my favorites every time I get to play with him. Not only can he traverse multiple genres with ease—from jazz to blues to country to soul—but he also brings something new and interesting every time he solos. Joe is an incredible talent and a wonderful human. I’m so lucky to get to call him my friend and bandmate!”

Additionally, his gigs with Latin Jazz vocalist Amanda Portela.  “Joe is an incredible human, great father, great friend and such a versatile guitarist,” exclaimed Portela. Other notable singers Amato has accompanied include jazz vocalist/trumpeter Jason Hanna, country artist Stacy Antonel, blues artist Mercedes Moore, and jazz vocalist Sacha Boutros.

He’s been fortunate to play numerous corporate events with bassist Sam Johnson and his jazz group Pop Nouveau. “Joe Amato is my first call for guitar or banjo,” said Johnson. “He’s professional, well rounded and always has a good attitude, but it’s more than that. He’s a fiercely devoted father and husband and a great teacher whom I’ve learned a lot from! I’m always excited to have him in the band, and I look forward to many more fun shows!”

Amato and Amanda Portela.

Like many first-call musicians, Amato can fill in for a band member who can’t make a scheduled gig. “Lately I’ve been filling in with the local Irish, country, Americana group called Finnegan Blue, which has me scratching my country/bluegrass itch,” he quipped.

Amato also teaches guitar in tandem with his busy performing schedule. “I have a teaching studio above Moze Guitars in La Mesa, and I feel lucky and grateful for the space they’ve made for me there. They are one of the last old-school guitar shops; the whole crew there are great people.”

As far as the future goes, Amato has his priorities in order, all of which makes him a well-rounded person beyond just the bright lights of the many musical stages. “I’m most excited about seeing my girls grow up to be wonderful humans. We are planning a family trip to Brazil and Argentina next year so I’m pretty excited about that. Also, I would like to spend more time in the studio as a sideman and hopefully work on a solo record while still playing music with my friends.”