Gianni Gardner is a New York based jazz guitarist originally from West Hartford CT. Gianni graduated from two renowned high school jazz meccas: Hall in West Hartford and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. He began studying jazz with the local legendary guitarist Doug Mayer, vocalist Diane Mower and saxophonist Dan O’Brien. In 2021 Gianni earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Connecticut State University where he studied with Christopher Morrison, Jimmy Greene, Jamie Begian, Andrew Beals, Dave Scott, Deborah Weisz, Jumaane Smith and Jeff “Seige”Siegel. In October 2021 Gianni made the decision to further his music career in New York City. Gianni pursued graduate studies at the prestigious Manhattan School of music to refine his skills and share his love and dedication to composing performing and teaching.
Gianni Gardner has performed at renowned venues/events in Connecticut and around New England. This includes The Side Door Jazz Club, Black-Eyed Sally’s, The Greater Hartford Jazz Festival, Paul Brown Jazz Series at Bushnell Park, The Iridium and The Django. More recently he has played Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola with the Manhattan School of Music, and had played with Ed Fast’s Conga Bop, the KC Sisters and at Penny Jo’s Uptown. He is currently the guitarist in Sean Nelson’s New London Big Band and more.
