Jazz Guitar Festival: Tony Monaco/Fareed Haque Trio

The 2023 Jazz Guitar Festival welcomes the Tony Monaco/Fareed Haque Trio. 

Fareed Haque is a modern guitar virtuoso. Steeped in classical and jazz traditions, his unique command of the guitar in different musical styles inspires his musical ventures with tradition and fearless innovation. Haque has toured and recorded with Joe Zawinul, Billy Cobham, Dave Holland, Paquito D’Rivera, Sting, Zakir Hussain, Bob James, Joe Henderson, and many others, in addition to co-leading groups with Paul Wertico, Goran Ivanovic, Garaj Mahal, and The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra. Haque has released numerous albums as a leader in jazz, classical, world music, and fusion styles, and is the recipient of numerous accolades and awards including Best World Guitarist, Guitar Player Magazine 2009, 2004 Acoustic Album of the Year, 2007 Independent Music Award, and Best New World Music Group in Chicago Reader Poll 2020. 

Haque has teamed up with Tony Monaco, a Hammond B-3 master, to form a powerful organ combo. Monaco, hailing from Columbus, Ohio, has studied with legends such as Hank Marr and Don Patterson and draws inspiration from the great Jimmy Smith. His dynamic playing style rivals even the most extroverted performances by Joey DeFrancesco. Haque and Monaco's album, Furry Slippers, has received high praise from critics and reached the top 10 in jazz radio airplay.