Mike Di Liddo
Guitar
Michael Di Liddo holds both a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) and Master of Music (M.M.) degrees from the University of Miami, as well as the Bachelor of Music (B.A) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees from Florida Atlantic University. He studied classical guitar in Stuttgart, Germany with Greek concert guitarist Dimitris Nikitos, and undertook additional guitar studies with Dr. Ken Keaton and Cuban guitarist Juan Mercadel. His jazz guitar teachers include Bob Whitlock, and Chuck Wayne. Dr. Di Liddo has taught jazz guitar at the Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade College since 1984, and has served as director of jazz studies since 1998.
In addition to his position at MDC, Di Liddo has served on faculty at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops in Louisville, Kentucky since 1996. In the classical genre, he participated at the Festival Miami Concert Series and with the Miami Guitar Trio. He has performed with the University of Yucatan Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Ballet of London, the New World Symphony, and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2002 he accompanied Luciano Pavoratti at the American Airlines Arena in Miami.
As a jazz musician, Di Liddo has performed with several leading jazz artists including James Moody, Eric Alexander, Bobby Watson, Ira Sullivan, Rufus Reid, Lynn Seaton, Danny Gottlieb, Adam Nussbaum, Steve Davis (trombonist), David Friesen, Gary Campbell and Ed Calle.
Di Liddo is the founder and director of Jazz at Wolfson Presents Visiting Artist Series, a year-round jazz concert series that brings jazz artists to MDC for free, lunchtime jazz concerts for students, faculty, staff, administration and the downtown community. Founded in 1998, the series is the longest running, free and open to the public, jazz concert series in Miami.
Dr. Di Liddo has published two books with Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Maiden Voyage Guitar Comping and Easy Jazz Guitar. Along with his own recordings, Di Liddo has recorded with jazz luminary David Baker on his 1996 recording Steppin’ Out.
Since 2006, he has held the rank of full professor at MDC. Dr. Di Liddo has twice received endowed teaching chairs, MDC’s highest teaching award.
