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Tariqh AkoniTariqh Akoni [1][2] is a performing and session guitarist and songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. He is the former chair of the Guitar Department at the L.A. Music Academy[3] (succeeding Frank Gambale) as well as musical director for multi-platinum recording artist, Josh Groban.[4][5] Akoni performs in multiple genres, including classical, flamenco, and rock.[6] Early yearsTariqh grew up in Santa Barbara in a home filled with music from a diversity of genres, from Carlos Santana to Mac Davis to Sly and the Family Stone. His father was a college educator and his mother was a counselor. Berklee College of MusicFollowing high school, Tariqh studied contemporary classical composition at the University of California at San Diego. But his guitar passion beckoned and he made the move to Boston to attend the famous Berklee School of Music.[7] One highlight of this experience was his private study with jazz tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi and jazz guitarist Rick Peckham.[7] Complementing his class study was Tariqh's focused daily practicing and, importantly, his nightly playing in the clubs of Boston where he was exposed to musical genres as diverse as blues, jazz and rock. Tariqh considers this latter to be where he found his musical voice. It was from his experiences with jazz saxophonist Walter Beasley and eminent sessions jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright that he found encouragement to pursue his musical career in Los Angeles. CareerTariqh assembled an extensive and eclectic resume, working with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Bette Midler, Tom Scott, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, the Backstreet Boys, and Aerosmith.[8][9][10] Tariqh has toured nationally and internationally, most recently as the musical director and Conductor for Josh Groban.[5] He is considered a "six-string virtuouso".[8] A select sampling of his appearances: Selected performances and recordingsJosh Groban,[11] Christina Aguilera, Elton John, Herbie Hancock, Patti LaBelle, Yolanda Adams, Luther Vandross, Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Boyz II Men, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Alicia Keys, Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers, Huey Lewis and the News, Aretha Franklin, Toni Braxton, The Temptations, LeAnn Rimes, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Lee Ann Womack, Babyface, David Benoit, Lou Rawls, Carlos Santana, Bette Midler.[citation needed] Selected television Appearances37th NAACP Image Awards (House Band) (2006) EquipmentTariqh uses a diverse set of instruments, including Gibson, Tyler, PRS DGT Gold Top, McPherson, Blankenship, Bogner, Eventide, Voodoo Lab, Electro-Harmonix, and Seymour Duncan. References
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