Biography

The study of the guitar classical at the age of 14 with Maestro Antonio D'Augello, and then continued the study of modern guitar as self-taught for many years until he met the guitar Rocco Zifarelli who directed him towards the jazz-fusion style. In November 1996 he graduated in Foreign Languages ​​and Literatures, with a thesis in English literature at the 'Third University of Rome'. In 1997 he attended the Guitar Institute of Technology department of the famous Musicians Institute in Hollywood where he had the opportunity to study and play with: Scott Henderson, Joe Diorio, Allen Hinds, Carl Verheyan, Mike Miller, Brett Garsed, T.J. Helmerich, Steve Trovato, Jeff Richman, Joey Cooke, Allen Hinds, Dave Hill and frequent seminars with Mike Stern, Frank Gambale, Don Mock.

Studio and live session musician with experiences that have got him to work in Europe and the United States.

In 1998, he recorded his first solo album entitled 'Survivor'. The CD, produced and distributed in Europe and several other continents by 99th Floor label, counts the presence of two reknown names such as Michael Angelo and Brett Garsed. The album has been reviewed with excellent acclaim by various Italian and European magazines including Chitarre, Axemagazine (June '99 n.34) and GuitarClub which dedicated an interview to him (April 2000).

In November 1999, William conducted a series of concerts and educational seminars in which he was joined by Brett Garsed, author of the famous educational video "Rock Fusion" (REH Video, 1995).

In 2000, William Stravato recorded "Cybertones" second solo album distributed worldwide by Virtuoso Records and still guest-hosted Brett Garsed on the song "Invisible"; the album, reviewed by several magazines in the sector, gained widespread acclaim.

In 2003, William guest-hosted the tribute album to guitarist Uli Jon Roth, released abroad by the Finnish label Lion Music.

In 2004, he released the album "Contact", recorded in collaboration with guitarist Salvatore Russo, with this work, William and Salvatore earned the cover of AXE magazine in the July-August issue.

In November 2004, William enriched his work experience with a tour of Spain, opening concerts with American guitarist Richie Kotzen and playing with drummer Pat Torpey (Mr Big) and bassist Phil Soussen (Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Lukather, Tom Waits etc.)

In 2006, he was featured on Liquid Note Records' "The Alchemist II" with the song " Stratosphere " alongside Brett Garsed as co-author of the song.

He participated in the 2007 Eddie Lang Jazz Festival together with Brett Garsed, Pippo Matino, Daniele Chiantese.

Among other things, William has experience as translator and educational consultant in seminars held by Brett Garsed, Marty Friedman, Joe Diorio, Scott Henderson, Fank Gambale and others.

He participated in two editions of the Ziua Chitarelor (Guitar Day) festival in Bucharest as the only Italian guitarist, playing alongside Greg Howe, Michael Angelo, Andy Timmons, Brett Garsed, Michael Lee Firkins, Guthrie Govan, Jennifer Batten, Andreas Oberg, Dave Martone, Stuart Hamm , Mike Vandherule.

He has also played and collaborated with Peppino D'Agostino, Pippo Matino, Massimo Manzi, Michael Manring, Lorenzo Feliciati, Gianluca Palmieri, John Macaluso (Malmsteen, TNT), Gianluca Capitani, Greg Bissonette, Ian Paice.

Since 2002 he has been teaching guitar at Saint Louis Music College in Rome for which he has written book on educational methods dedicated to modern guitar and holds educational seminars on rock-fusion guitar throughout Italy.

He constantly collaborates with the Musicoff portal, Axe Magazine, magazine for guitarists, for which he also takes care of the educational video columns.

Since 2013 he has been the official teacher of the fusion guitar class of the Eddie Lang Jazz Festival participating in all subsequent editions, playing as headliner and guest of other artists such as Marco Zurzolo, Eddy Palermo, Massimo Manzi.

In the 2015 Eddie Lang edition, he previewed his latest CD entitled "Uranus", which included the collaboration, in mixing and mastering, of T.J.Helmerich, a well-known sound engineer from Los Angeles that had worked and collaborated with numerous artists of the world jazz-fusion scene such as Scott Henderson, Tribal Tech, Dan Brown.

He is currently involved in several recording projects and is constantly working in his instrumental project: "Fusion Guitar Xperience".

William Stravato has been a guitar teacher at Saint Louis College of Music in Rome since 2003. Rock’n Blues Guitar Nightmare.