Born in Frauenfeld,
Switzerland Yussi began to play guitar in 1985 and studied at
the Jazz Conservatory St. Gallen. After formimg and playing in
a dozen bands and recording an album with "The Minimals" he moved
to Los Angeles to attend Musicians Institute in Hollywood where
he graduated with honors. In 1993 he enrolled at L.A.V.C. to study
classical guitar, arranging and orchestration, attend master classes
and perform recitals. Then, in 94' Yussi began to play mandolin,
banjo and other exotic string instruments, developed a strong
interest in flamenco guitar and studied with L.A. teachers.
While
Indian master Hari Har Rao tutored Yussi in the art of sitar playing
Narada recording artists Axiom of Choice invited him in 1994 to
join the band for their debut album "Beyond Denial."
In 95' he
designed a series of guitars with Luthier Boaz Elkayam, recorded
and released Yussi & Django's album "Bandidos de Amor" and also
played on Ricky Martin's "A Medio Vivir" featuring the hit song
"Maria." He was later called up to play on Ricky's Grammy Winning
98 release Vuelve. Yussi's solo
debut "El Pirata" was released in 2000 and he has finished
his second solo album "Velvet Rebel" both released on X DOT 25 Music. Since 1995 Yussi played on 80 plus albums,
numerous film scores, TV shows and documentaries.
He also appears
in the movies "Paulie" and "Love and Basketball," recorded two
albums with his rumba band Bandidos de Amor and gives more then
230 live performances each year. Yussi has performed or recorded
with many Latin and Middle Eastern Stars: Ricky Martin - Cristian
Castro - Lucero Nydia Rojas - Robi Rosa - Cheech Marin Fernando
Allende - Mostafa Amar - Ragheb Alama - Andy - Faramarz Assef
- Baila Habibi - Eden's Crush - El Chicano Other Credits Include:
The Mexican - Popstars - Doubletake - Love and Basketball - Paulie
- Gunshy - Shasta McNasty - Party of Five. 
After successful
release of "Bandidos De Amor" by Yussi & Django, Yussi releases
"El Pirata" as his first solo album and his second solo release "Velvet Rebel". In these releases, Yussi plays
an exotic and energetic style of instrumental guitar music that
is spiced with fiery improvisations in the tradition of Eastern
European Gypsy, Spanish flamenco and American jazz players. His
original compositions blend Spanish and Middle Eastern guitar
melodies with powerful Latin and Persian rhythms. His music has
sweetness, soul, precision, and youthful energy.
His original compositions blend Spanish and
Middle Eastern guitar melodies with powerful Latin and Persian
rhythms, and the result is an intriguing and playful sound similar
to the Gypsy Kings, Ottmar Liebert, Strunz and Farah (with whom
he has studied), and even John McLaughlin. This is an incredibly
musical partnership, utilizing fluid ensemble lines and intelligent
harmonies to showcase an amazing technical abilities. The
music has sweetness, soul, precision, and youthful energy. |
