Who Is Frank Gambale?
Who is Frank Gambale? Frank has been playing guitar since he was 7 years old. Gambale is a very influential part of the guitar world. He was born and raised in Canberra, Australia. He was influenced by greats such as Jimi Hendrix, John Mayall, Eric Clapton and Jerry Garcia.
As he grew older, he looked up to Steely Dan, the Brecker Brothers and Chick Corea. In 1982 he left to study at the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) in Hollywood.
He graduated GIT as Student of the Year , the highest honor. After graduation, he took a teaching position that he carried out for four years while also playing at local jazz clubs. He had his own band and has published his first book, “Speed Picking”.
His recording career began in 1986 when he signed a 3 year contract with Legato. Things took off for Frank's career then. Ibanez guitars also asked him to endorse their guitars and created a Frank Gambale model guitar. It went for sale worldwide in 1987 and later they made four different versions of the guitar – the FGM100, FGM200, FGM300 and FGM400.
Frank's success continued with a release of a 3-video deal for instructional videos with DCI/Warner Bros. and in 1988, a major deal with JVC. He released “Thunder From Down Below” in 1990 and it was popular all over the world.
Out on his Own
In 1992 he decided to go out on his own, without a label. His group has been touring the world ever since. Frank Gambale and his band have been to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and the U.S. He provides seminars and master classes in many countries.
In 1996, Frank was offered the position of Head of Guitar Department at a new musical school in Los Angeles, the L.A. Music Academy (LAMA). He wrote the core curriculum for this one year vocational school. This included Harmony and Theory, Improvisation, Technique and Composition courses. Frank chose the teachers and teaches himself one or two days a week when he is in town.
Frank then released his own record label, Wombat records and re-released his Legato records as well as a new double live CD, Resident Alien – Live Bootlegs . He also released a duet with Maurizio Colonna called Imagery Suite .
Frank stays busy in his life but it all revolves around his music. He also has a new deal with Yamaha Guitars and recorded an album for Steve Vai's record label. 2004 was spent touring and 2005 has many more plans in view.