Charlie Apicella studied composition and improvisation with musical titans Yusef Lateef and Pat Martino and was trained as a historian by Archie Shepp and Dr. Billy Taylor. As a young guitarist he met his idol BB King, who offered him advice and shared some stories. He has performed concerts and recorded with jazz legends Dave Holland, Sonny Fortune, and John Blake, Jr. as well as contemporary masters Joe Magnarelli, Vic Juris, Dave Stryker, Don Braden, and Jon Herington of Steely Dan. Charlie is the Director of Music Curriculum for The Blues and Beyond. He is an Eastman Guitars Featured Artist; a Guild Guitars Sponsored Artist; and a ZT Amplifiers Official Artist.