Rolf Strum guitar & bass clarinet Bohdan Hilash

Rolf’s guitar playing has earned the praise of Joe Pass, John Abercrombie, Jim Hall, and Bill Frisell. He has performed with and/or appeared on CDs with Tony Trischka, Archie Shepp, Loudon Wainwright, Anthony Braxton, David  Johansen, Roswell Rudd, Bob Mintzer, Maggie Roche, Jorma Kaukonen, Billy Martin, Dave Douglas, John Medeski, Claudio Roditi, Ike Willis, Eddy Arnold, Heather Masse, Catherine Russell, Pat Boone, Glen Velez, Giora Feidman, and Tom Constanten of the Grateful Dead. He has an active touring duo with singer Jenna Mammina, he’s a member of “Tomas Ulrich’s Cargo Cult” and he co-leads the trio “Tricycle”. Rolf is also a member of the Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble and the Walter Thompson Orchestra.

Rolf has toured the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, Mexico, and the UK, performing at dozens of jazz, jam band/rock, folk, and blues festivals (including the World Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany, the JVC Jazz Festival, the Boston Folk Festival, the Syracuse Jazz Festival, Ripplefest, Music On The Mountain Festival, and the Toronto Jazz Festival.). He has performed at Lincoln Center, and Town Hall in NYC, and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. He has appeared on soundtracks for both film and television and his music has been featured on National Public Radio’s All Songs Considered. His solo guitar recording, “Balance”, was awarded 4 stars in DownBeat magazine.

Rolf graduated from Ithaca College, with a BFA in Jazz Guitar. He has studied with John Abercrombie, Jim Hall, Harry Leahey, Bill Frisell, and Joe Pass. He has developed a unique method for learning music theory on the neck of the guitar entitled, “The Major Method.”

“…he’s such a master of the form that you better get to know him by name. One of those super lovely solo albums that leaves a distinct footprint all it’s own, acoustic guitar fans have to raise him to the pantheon of the greats.” – CHRIS SPECTOR (Midwest Record)

(FOUR STARS) “Sturm’s style encompasses elements of classical, American roots music and flamenco…suffused with tremendous energy and movement.” – “Six String Magicians” DOWN BEAT MAGAZINE (Feb. 2011)

“Excellent new CD… a virtuoso guitarist… an eclectic mix of classic tunes and Sturm originals are impeccably performed.” – RICK DANDES THE DAILY ITEM

“(guitarist Rolf Sturm is)…a distinct and compelling acoustic voice. …Rolf is also a master of scrumptious chord motion… Shawangunk is the pure expression of his nylon-strung artistry.” – TONY TRISCHKA (Banjo Legend)

“In the tradition of his inspirations, guitarist Jim Hall and pianist Bill Evans…” “…music that is sublimely sensitive, while maintaining an undercurrent of mystery with an improvisational edge…” “A truly expressive guitarist…” – BILL MILKOWSKI (contributing writer Downbeat & Jazziz)