MIKE ZITO

« …his fiery Strat playing elevates each and every song, as do the swallow-your-emotions vocals. » – Vintage Guitar
« …one of the finest, most creative musicians on the competitive blues-roots scene. » – Blues Revue Magazine
« His music flows into the veins and moves the body in ways that can only be described as free and wild… » – Jazz Times
« The lyrics are great, the musicianship is superb, but Zito’s voice is the real surprise. Gritty, thick, and expressive, Zito delivers his lyrics with heart and soul… » – The Celebrity Café
In 2007, Zito’s path crossed with Randy Chortkoff of Delta Groove Music. Within months he penned a deal and gained full support with Chortkoff’s label which later unveiled his national debut album « Today » on Eclecto Groove Records in 2008. Boasting top notch production values under the guidance of producers David Z and Tony Braunagel, along with assistance from a team of world class musicians that included keyboardist Bentmont Tench and bassist James « Hutch » Hutchinson, Zito realized his most satisfying and accomplished work to date. « Today » garnered high praise and critical acclaim for Zito’s strengthened focus on songwriting, and his resulting efforts landed the album on the Billboard blues charts for six weeks, in addition to daily rotation on Sirius Satellite radio.
« Pearl River » followed in 2009, bringing Zito’s guitar back to the forefront, while still maintaining an emphasis on his affective songwriting. The result was a rollicking slice of Americana served up with heaping slabs of greasy New Orleans funk, gritty blues and good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll. The album was additionally bolstered by an all-star cast that featured Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, Reese Wynans, Susan Cowsill, Lynwood Slim and Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone. His collaboration with Cyril Neville on the album’s title track « Pearl River, » nabbed him a 2010 Blues Music Award for Song of the Year.
His latest release « Greyhound »- produced by Grammy-Award winning guitarist/singer/songwriter Anders Osborne – is the continuation of the songwriting process established by Zito on his two previous and critically acclaimed recordings on Eclecto Groove Records. His music still retains its bluesy Americana charm while also emphasizing that dusty, big wide-open Texas sound. Here, we find Zito exploring more personal and introspective themes; inspired by the Greyhound bus that helped carry him on his way out of town as a young man, ultimately steering him onto his current pathway and direction in life.

Mike Zito is set to perform in the heart of New York’s Union Square on the Best Buy « LIVE » stage located in the only 24 hour Best Buy store in the country. This unique performance on their flagship live stage will take place on July 11th at 4pm and will be streamed live on their website (www.liveatbestbuy.com). Zito will soon join the ranks of a selected group of musicians to perform on this stage which include David Cook, Panic at the Disco, New York Dollas, and Lady Gaga. This performance is part of a program conceived in 2009 by Best Buy to create a platform for musicians to be seen and heard by a global audience. For more information vist: www.liveatbestbuy.com