Bio:
Brian Stoltz has released four solo albums, has toured and recorded with Rock ‘n Roll Royalty and has performed on a string of recordings – playing, producing and writing for various artists. Basing his art on street virtuosity, raw emotion and a stinging signature style, he is New Orleans’ premiere guitarist and songwriter extraordinaire.
While touring, writing and recording throughout the 80′s with the world-renowned Neville Brothers Band and for fourteen years with The 'funky' Meters, Brian has created unique bodies of work. In addition to being in demand as a phenomenal guitarist, his skill as a songwriter has caught the attention of artists like Aaron Neville, The Neville Brothers, Coco Montoya, The Wild Magnolias, Zydeco artist Zachary Richard and writer/film director John Sayles.
Stoltz's guitar style evolved naturally from growing up on 60's pop/r&b radio and from traveling the dark roads of South Louisiana up through the Mississippi Delta, absorbing the many musical genres and haunting styles of the deep south. In reviewing Bob Dylan's album, Oh Mercy, UK writer Andy Gil of Q Magazine best described it when he wrote, "Stoltz's guitar is like stinging rain pinging on a barbed-wire fence." His unmistakable sound is featured on recordings by artists as diverse as Dylan, Edie Brickell, Dr. John, Linda Ronstadt and the Neville Brothers. Stoltz's discography also includes the release of four solo albums: Up All Night/Live (2007), God, Guns & Money (2005) and East Of Rampart Street (2003) and the now out-of-print Starving Buddha (1999).
His television appearances include The Tonight Show (with Jay Leno & Johnny Carson), Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman, Austin City Limits, Cinemax and Showtime specials, and concerts with the Grateful Dead.
Ever socially conscious, Brian toured, along with the Neville Brothers, U2, Peter Gabriel, the Police and Lou Reed as the torch-bearers of the first Amnesty International Tour in 1986 to raise consciousness of the fate of political prisoners around the world.
Stoltz has received awards from CMJ (College Music Journal) and the New Music Corporation for Lifetime Achievement. His co-written Healing Chant, performed by the Neville Brothers, won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental in 1991and Brian was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the Best Traditional Blues category for his solo rendition of You Gotta Move on Telarc Records’ Preachin’ The Blues: The Music Of Mississippi Fred McDowell.
He has performed in numerous music videos and his songs and performances have found their way to film soundtracks such as The Mighty Quinn, John Sayles’ City of Hope, post-Hurricane Katrina film, 'Desert Bayou', nominated for the 2008 Image Award (theatrical and television) and the Harry Shearer film, The Big Uneasy.