Layla
The Players:
Erja Lyytinen - Guitar
(credit photo Dirk Eidner)
Guitar: G & L Asat Semi-hollow Z-3 Blue Sparkle while playing slide guitar, in open tuning
Since the release of her tenth studio album Stolen Hearts in 2017, Erja Lyytinen has starred on MTV Finland’s Tähdet, Tähdet show, picked up the much-coveted European Guitarist of the Year award, performed in front of 80,000 people in her hometown of Helsinki on New Year's Eve, shared the stage with the legends such as Carlos Santana, Dan Aykroyd and Jennifer Batten, supported Sir Tom Jones as well as clocking up in excess of 100 headline shows across Europe per annum. Lyytinen’s musical pallet is vast, encompassing the very best of contemporary blues-rock whilst inspired
and influenced by the blues greats of yore. And that respect for those guitar greats has been reciprocated throughout the years.
In June 2018 Erja got to open for Santana at Helsinki’s Kaisaniemi Park where he invited the High Flying Finn to play on stage in front of 20,000 people. Carlos was full of praise declaring that “It was inspiring to see her play. It was from the future and I like the future”. It was here also where Santana gave Erja the nickname “Lightning” referring to Lightnin’ Hopkins. Similarly, celebrated slide guitar master Sonny Landreth, upon discovering Lyytinen's music remarked: "Things are going well for her and for good reason."
Erja Lyytinen’s self-produced latest album Another World marks the next chapter in both her personal and professional life. For Lyytinen’s latest offering she called in a whole raft of her esteemed friends and colleagues that include slide guitar wizard Sonny Landreth and former Michael Jackson guitarist Jennifer Batten.
Erja´s path to becoming “The Queen Of Slide Guitar” was unveiled in her first biography Blues Queen (Blueskuningatar), which came out in Finnish during Fall 2019. The book is presently tipped for a release in English in late 2020.
Erja was ranked #14 on Guitar World´s “30 Best Blues Guitarists Today” alongside peers and legends from the blues genre such as Joe Bonamassa, Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks, Buddy Guy and John Mayer to name but a few.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/erjalyytinen
Facebook: www.facebook.com/erjalyytinen
Twitter: www.twitter.com/erjalyytinen
Nili Brosh - Guitar
Born in Israel, raised in Massachusetts, and educated at Berklee College of Music, virtuoso guitarist Nili Brosh has established herself as both a solo artist and hired gun.
Aside from performances with Cirque du Soleil, Dethklok, Tony MacAlpine, Paul Gilbert, Andy Timmons, Guthrie Govan/The Aristocrats, Stu Hamm, Jennifer Batten, Gretchen Menn, Alphonso Johnson, Jeff Loomis, and The Iron Maidens, Nili has released three solo albums (Through The Looking Glass, 2010, A Matter of Perception, 2014, and Spectrum, 2019), and still found time to perform her original music and give Ibanez-sponsored clinics.
Additionally, Nili has also written a lesson column for Premier Guitar magazine, released several courses with JTC Guitar, and guested on records such as Bryan Beller’s Scenes From The Flood alongside John Petrucci.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nilibrosh
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NiliBroshMusic
Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/nilibrosh
Website: www.nilibrosh.com
Guitar: Ibanez RG550 Genesis Collection
Eliana Cargnelutti - Guitar
Guitar: Fender American Stratocaster Elite 2018 HSS Shawbucker
Olympic white pearl
Pick ups: one Shawbuker and two New 4th generation noiseless
Eliana Cargnelutti, Italian rock blues guitarist and singer, graduated in jazz guitar at the conservatory “G. Frescobaldi” in Ferrara.
Eliana is a strong singer and a crafty guitarist, one of the rare real frontwomen in the rock-blues scene. She plays a flavor of rock blues with a bit of everything in between: electric funk, mixed with pop and jazzy instrumentals, raw rock, tight blues grooves, illuminated by her skills as an electric guitarist. Her sets truly have something for everyone. Eliana is well known in the blues scene thanks to her infectious persona.
Eliana has played with various blues artists like Grand, John Craig (guitarist of Ike& Tina Turner), Peter Stroud (guitarist of Sheryl Crow), Charlie Musselwhite, Jamie Little (drummer of Uli Jon Roth and Boyzone), Enrico Crivellaro, Rudy Rotta, The Joe Pitts Band, with whom she played in various Italian and American festivals. She also recorded a CD with them, in Arkansas, USA (2009). She has collaborated with the progressive rock/klezmer group Passover from Trieste for a tour in Tokyo, Japan (2010) for a tour and a live album in the United States, Boston (2012).
She did her part in the international Tour with the Blues Caravan project “Girls With Guitars” of Ruf Record label for all the 2015. Eliana was the winner of the “Blues Contest” in Pordenone, Italy, in 2010, she won the blues award as the “best new young artist” at the “Oscar del Blues” in Modena, Italy. She was named one of the five “best female guitarists” in the rock-blues scene at the American “Jimi Awards” in 2015 and she was nominated the 5th best female guitar player of the rock-blues world by Blues E-news magazine. In 2018 she did an international tour with the punk rock
band from New Zealand Blue Ruin and in 2019 she played with the drummer of Deep Purple, Ian Paice in a memorable sold out concert in Graz, Austria with the only female tribute to Deep Purple all over the world: Eliana’s new project called “Strange Kind of women”.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MissElianaCargnelutti
Website: www.elianacargnelutti.com
Eva Kourtes - Evangelista - Guitar
Eva, an Australian musician who has performed in several international countries. Her interest in music initiated at the age of 12 and expeditiously grew with the love of the electric guitar, excelling her to winning Queen of Strings Best Female Guitarist In the World at the age of 17, competing with a gallery of international artists, being judged by Orianthi, Nik West and Jennifer Batten.
Her career grew steadfastly from this point, with a multitude of regional and national performances in Australia, consequently creating interest and mentoring by major artists, such as Mr Kevin Borich, Mr Geoff Achison and the likes of the international greats Mr Steve Vai, Mr Carlos Santana, Mr Jose Feliciano, Ms Cindy Blackman and many others, who were amazed by her playing style.
Evangelista’s explosive electric guitar playing style will shiver your musical spine and her melodic piano touch will comfort and soothe your soul. Certainly a superstar you will appreciate and who will foreva be in mind.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/evakourtes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/evakourtesmusic
Youtube: Evakourtes
Website: www.forevamusic.com
Guitar: PRS S2 Custom 24
Claire Genoud - Guitar
Claire is a guitar player born in Geneva, Switzerland, currently based in London (UK).
In 2016, she joined the all-female tribute band to AC/DC, BACK:N:BLACK. They played festivals like Montreux Jazz Festival and later the Sierre Blues festival in Switzerland where she had the honour to play on the same stage as ZZ Top. She's been touring through Europe (10+ countries), including a show with Arch Enemy in Slovakia. She is currently still touring with the band.
In April 2017, she joined the London-based rock band KilliT. They played shows at the Underworld Camden, O2 Forum Kentish Town opening for Skid Row, also major UK festivals like Isle Of Wight, Stone Free Festival at London O2 Arena, Ramblin Man Fair, etc. They are currently recording our 2nd full-length album and completed our first UK tour with Metal legends Diamond Head.
In 2019, she joined the UK-based metal band Sermon. They have shows booked with bands like Dream Theater, Opeth and TesseracT.
Instagram: @clairegenoud
Facebook: www.facebook.com/clairegenoudguitar
Youtube: www.youtube.com/clairegenoud
Website: www.clairegenoud.com
Guitar: PRS SE custom 24, with pickups from a Gibson Les Paul.
Helen Ibe - Guitar
Helen Ibe is a Nigerian born blues guitarist and a guitar goddess. She is Nigeria's finest female professional guitarist.
You could be forgiven to think she was someone in their 70’s, but at such a young
age, Helen has managed to rack up a résumé and portfolio that reads like one belonging to a legendary septuagenarian. It would once again be foolhardy to think she won’t achieve legendary status at her current career trajectory.
Helen Ibe is a versatile guitarist who is in demand as a performer and recording artist for her expressive musicality, technical mastery, and creative approach across musical genres and has a passion for presenting unique concert experiences. She has established herself as one of Nigeria’s best top classical guitarists, in demand as both a guitarist, songwriter and performing artist. Her playing has commanded nationwide recognition and she performs regularly in Lagos and it’s environ and she is a frequent guest at many jazz/guitar concerts.
Instagram: helen_ibe
Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenguitargirl
Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/helenibemusic
Guitar: Fender Player Telecaster
Shani Kimelman - Guitar
Shani Kimelman is an Israeli guitarist living in Las Vegas. She graduated Berklee College of Music in 2017 and is currently the lead guitarist at "Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil" in Las Vegas
Instagram: @shani.kimelman
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Shani.Kimelman
Youtube: shanibanez
Guitar: Ibanez Jem
Loli Molina - Guitar
Guitar: Fender Nashville Telecaster
Loli Molina, is an Argentinian guitarist, singer, songwriter and visual artist. Since her first album, which was released on 2008 and until now she has toured stages and festivals in Latin America, North America and Europe and has played and recorded with Latin American contemporary music references such as Fito Paez , Fernando Cabrera, Chico Cesar, Juan Quintero, Kevin Johnson, Santiago Vazquez, El David Aguilar and more. She has participated as a session musician for groups like Kinky on their MTV Unplugged and composed original music for film and television. She is the winner of MTV award and nominated repeatedly for the Gardel Awards, Loli has been a part of the symphonic tributes to Gustavo Cerati and Violeta Parra among other major projects.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lolimolinamusica/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/lolimolinaoficial
Youtube: LoliMolina
Website: www.lolimolina.com
Martina Elettre Rover - Guitar
Martina Elettra is an Italian guitarist.
Martina’s passion for guitar didn't fully surface until her last teenage years: she started playing with an old classic guitar she found at her grandma’s but since then she has never stopped. Her influences range from classic rock to the 90s grunge up to the most experimental sounds. After high school she joined various musical projects and constantly sought out new challenges.
In 2013 she founded an all-female rock band called “Pinkarmada” which allows her to play in the best clubs, venues, and events in Italy and abroad.
In 2017 she joined an alternative rock band called “SICKO” and in 2019 the band released its first full-length album available in streaming and in all digital platforms. Martina with SICKO will spend the next months recording new songs for the upcoming album.
She is a proud endorser of “Artesound” a boutique brand of a tube amp (made in Italy) and endorser of Leonardo Guitars from Switzerland.
Guitar:Candy Apple Red Fender Jazzmaster
Amy Owen - Vocals
Amy Owen is a versatile singer from the UK who has been performing around the world for the last 9 years – from Germany to India, Madeira to Australia! Back in London, Amy is working on her first EP with her original Soul Indie project ‘Jays’.
Instagram: @amyowensinger
Website: www.amyowensinger.com
Einat Harel - Drums
An active Israeli drummer and musician from the age of 17.
Performs at various festivals in Israel and abroad and collaborates with various artists and ensembles such as: Yemen Blues, Yael Dekelbaum, Daniel Zamir, Mark Eliyahu, and others.
Has a special project Called "Kula Baraka" with the well-known Percussionist: Rony Iwryn .
Plays music from different cultures and styles such as Fusion / Jazz / North African Music / Cuban music / Latin / pop.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/harel.einat
Facebook: www.facebook.com/einat.harel.58
Hadas Trainin - Bass
During Hadas's early career she played with ‘Belladonna’- the all women Funk band and was part of the house band for the ‘Dudu Topaz show’ during that time she also played and recorded with Israeli singers. In 2000 she relocated to London and for nine years collaborated and recorded with local artists playing Jazz, RnB, and Rock.
Upon returning to Israel she combines performance with teaching and producing music. Hadas has been teaching at Mizmor College of music for the past nine years and she now play instrumental music on the double bass with duo called Wenow
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/1mg2vpG87L8YIOehVngWSp?si=5wyYCqQZQUWwAcxbejgitA
Website: www.yallabass.co.il
Website: www.wenowmusic.com
Kata Kozma - Keys
Kata Kozma is an award-winning songwriter, music producer and pianist from Budapest, Hungary. She graduated from the world renown Berklee College of Music (USA) on a full scholarship. As a pianist and producer, Kata has worked with Grammy- Award-Winning artists such as George Duke, Terri Lyne Carrington, Lalah Hathaway, Paula Cole, Esperanza Spalding and Michael McDonald. In 2010 Kata was selected as one of the world’s 5 leading young female jazz pianists and performed at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Two of her co-written songs with pop/ hip hop band Children Of Distance, has topped the Deezer charts and exceeded over 5 million views on YouTube. She served as music director, arranger and conductor for Miss Universe 2014-2015. She scored the Hungarian movie “Lull” (Szélcsend) directed by Tamas Sas. Several of her co-writes have been selected for the Eurovision Song Contest, her compositions have aired on TV, radio, commercials, movies and live shows. Kata won the 2016 Johnny Mercer Foundation’s Songwriting Scholarship in Chicago (USA). Kata has written songs for artists all over the world in the genres of pop, soul, rnb, experimental, singer-songwriter and neo soul. She is currently composer and music producer for the movie musical ‘Papa Pia” out in Hungarian Movies in 2017. In February 2017 Kata serves as producer and songwriter for an international charity project in Los Angeles, involving over 20 singers and musicians from all over the world, spreading peace, love and acceptance of all religions, races, beliefs and beyond. In March 2017 Kata is named “Junior Composer Of The Year” by Society ARTISJUS (Hungarian Bureau for the Protection of Authors' Rights). Kata is the songwriter and co-producer of We Are The Water the Official Theme Song of the 2017 Fina World Championships. Kata has been doing professional Songwriting Camps in the U.S and Europe (Nashville, Desmond Child; SBSC) and she is set to be a panel speaker on “Songwriting & Collaboration” at the 2018 Music Expo in Budapest, Hungary
Instagram: www.instagram.com/katakozma
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kata.kozma.