The Road to Becoming a Guitar Hero
by Scott Terry
Replacing a certified guitar hero like Frank Gambale in Steve Smith’s Vital Information has to be a challenge. And collaborating with another guitar hero—namely George Benson—has to be awe-inspiring. However, Vinny Valentino seems to take it all in stride as his resume continues to grow. I caught up with Valentino just days before he left for the studio to record the new Vital Information project.
InsideCx: You have long been a proponent of guitar synthesizer technology. Are you exclusively using the TerraTec guitar synth? Do you still play regular guitars or are you only playing guitar synths?<
VV: I am using the TerraTec Axon AX100 MK II midi converter with the Yamaha Motif Rack ES. I like to be able to personalize the sounds that I use. The guitar synth, to me, is simply another voice. I almost always use it along with a guitar sound so it creates kind of a layer effect. Certain sounds inspire me to play differently than just the guitar alone. I have been using guitar synths since they have been around, not only for live playing but also as a compositional tool. The Axon is really the best midi controller around right now, and in combination with the Motif Rack it makes a great rig. Nylon and steel string acoustic guitars have also been a big part of my playing. I started on steel string and nylon string guitars and have always played both of them. Again, it’s a matter of which sound I think is right for a particular tune.
InsideCx: Is your studio rig the same as the aforementioned?
VV: I am using the Axon guitar midi converter and the Yamaha Motif Rack ES both live and in the studio. For the new Vital Information project, I will also be using my Digitech GNX3000 effects pedal directly into the console, as well as three of my favorite guitars that are all made by Yamaha.
InsideCx: How is your time split between Steve Smith's Vital Information and your solo endeavors?
VV: At this point I am splitting my time between Vital Information and my own band, as well as other projects that interest me. So far there have been very few conflicts. I am really happy at this point in my career to be able to contribute to the gigs that I have. On the Vital Information gig I get a chance to go from swinging bop changes and straight-ahead grooves to funky, odd-time tunes with a lot of great guitar parts. Plus Steve [Smith], Baron [Browne] and Tom [Coster] are very inspiring people and players. With my own band I have the chance to compose and create new music that truly expresses where I am as a player and a person. My band is also filled with some of the most inspiring cats around: Marshall Keys on sax, Joel Rosenblatt on drums, Gilad on percussion and Baron Browne on bass. I also have an organ trio with Adam Klipple and Joel Rosenblatt, not to mention a world jazz trio, On 3, with Gilad and bassist Mathew Parrish. I consider myself to be very fortunate to be able to play and create with all of the above cats and many others.
InsideCx: How did you land the gig with Vital Information?
VV: I did a European tour in the fall of 2004 subbing for Frank [Gambale] and really dug playing with Steve, Barron and Tom. When Frank decided to move on, Steve called me. In a lot of ways it seems like we have been plam [Coster] are very inspiring people and players. With my own band I have the chance to compose and create new music that truly expresses where I am as a player and a person. My band is also filled with some of the most inspiring cats around: Marshall Keys on sax, Joel Rosenblatt on drums, Gilad on percussion and Baron Browne on bass. I also have an organ trio with Adam Klipple and Joel Rosenblatt, not to mention a world jazz trio, On 3, with Gilad and bassist Mathew Parrish. I consider myself to be very fortunate to be able to play and create with all of the above cats and many others.
InsideCx: How did you land the gig with Vital Information?
VV: I did a European tour in the fall of 2004 subbing for Frank [Gambale] and really dug playing with Steve, Barron and Tom. When Frank decided to move on, Steve called me. In a lot of ways it seems like we have been playing together for a lot longer than we actually have.
