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, Dr. Di Liddo has served on faculty at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops in Louisville, Kentucky since 1996. In the classical genre, Dr. Di Liddo has 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, Dr. 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. Commercial engagements have included performances with Gary U.S. Bonds, Jimmy Cavallo, Lou Christie, The Fifth Dimension, Joey Gray, Al Martino, Rita Moreno, Della Reese, Bobby Riddell, The Sherrells, and Tommy Tune.
Dr. 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. The series is the longest running jazz concert series in Miami having recently completed its eleventh year.
Dr. Di Liddo is published and well decorated. In 2006, his text Maiden Voyage Guitar Comping was published with Jamey Aebersold Jazz. A follow-up publication of that text is scheduled for release in 2009. Along with his own recordings, Dr. 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. In 2004, he was awarded MDC’s highest award being a recipient of the Honorable Jack Gordon Endowed Teaching Chair.
