For those unaware, born and raised on the east coast, Bill Moio picked up his first guitar at the tender age of eight and made his professional debut at just fifteen years old. After finishing high school, Bill was accepted to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied under the late William G. Leavitt.

After leaving Boston, Bill returned home to begin teaching at The University of Maine at Augusta. It was at this time that Bill founded his first band, The Bill Moio Quartet. The group performed an eclectic blend of jazz, Latin, and funk music, hi-lighted by Bill’s fiery guitar playing.

1979 found Bill heading west for a two week engagement at the MGM Reno; the two weeks turned into nine months as he found himself immersed in the show circuit throughout Nevada. Bill served as the house guitarist for Harrah’s Reno and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe for seven years. He held down the position of orchestra leader for Harrah’s Tahoe for two years, and most recently finished a three year run in the showroom of The Rio Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Moio has also performed with the legendary soul band Tower Of Power and has appeared with such jazz artists as trombonist Bill Watrous, guitarists Joe Diorio and Jack Wilkins and organ great Joey DeFrancesco to name a few.

Currently, Bill has just released his newest solo project entitled, Try This, his first album in 25 years, co-produced by keyboardist George Whitty, which showcases his phenomenal guitar playing, writing and arranging.

1. Try This
2. 720 Berkeley
3. I’ve Heard It All Before
4. Need To Know
5. Friends Again
6. Chuckles
7. Straight Talk
8. Let It Begin
9. Struttin’
10. Arroz Con Pollo

This opulently sculpted new recording opens on the stridently funky title track Try This and the lushly free flowing 720 Berkeley and then we get the ornately sculpted I’ve Heard It All Before, the drum-led, smooth jazz of flow of Need To Know, with the flourishing Friends Again along next.

Then comes one of my own personal favorites in the veritably shimmering lead single Chuckles, which is itself backed smartly by the gently fervent foot tapper Straight Talk, the soulful Let It Begin, the album rounding out on the aptly-titled Struttin’, closing on the all-encompassing melodies and rhythms that drive Arroz Con Pollo.

Bill Moio - Chuckles [Official Music Video]