Guitarist Steve Vai to perform in Istanbul

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Steve Vai, the virtuoso guitarist and songwriter, will perform in Istanbul at Küçükçiftlik Park on Nov. 2, seven years after his last concert in Turkey.

Vai is famous for his level of musical quality, and his ability to play in infinite music genres and to use progressive elements such as time signature changes, complicated melodies and unusual rhythms in his songs.

Vai took guitar lessons from the legendary Joe Satriani in 1974 and started his music career with Frank Zappa in 1980. He has also played and recorded music with artists and bands such as Whitesnake, Joe Satriani, Public Image Ltd., David Lee Roth, Alcatrazz, Billy Sheehan, Mike Mangini, and Tony Macalpine. He performed in G3 tours with guitarists including John Petrucci, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and Yngwie Malmsteen.

He has so far released nine solo studio albums and written famous songs including “For the Love of God,” “Tender Surrender,” “Building the Church,” “Bad Horsie” and “I Know You’re Here.” Vai has sold over 15 million albums and won three Grammy Awards over the years. He cites his main influences as Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page.