Guitarist

Experience the talent and creativity of Colburn’s distinguished faculty artists as they perform their own curated programs with friends and students. This concert features an eclectic blend of classical guitar works and jazz tunes.  Additional Colburn faculty on the program include Nancy Yamagata, Cello; Nita Baxani, Soprano; Martin Glicklich, Flute; Jeff Lavner, Piano; Jerry Kalaf, Drums; Denise Scheerer, Tap; and Liz Kinnon, Piano.

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Faculty Recital: Kenton Youngstrom, Guitar

Colburn School

This marks the first time that these long-time friends have toured as a duo-bill. In additional exciting news, for the first time they will collaborate on new music with plans to release just before the tour launches in March. Satch and Vai’s musical careers have been intertwined since their very early days. Satriani served as Vai’s guitar teacher during their teenage years on Long Island, New York. Their connection has continued to evolve over the years, even sharing record labels, starting at Relativity Records in the late 80’s, to both calling Sony/Epic Records home for a significant portion of the 90’s. Together, they have also frequently teamed up with a third guitarist on multiple occasions throughout the span of 29 years, participating in the semi-annual G3 Tours, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Joe Satriani & Steve Vai

Atlanta Symphony Hall

Joe Satriani is the world’s most commercially successful solo guitar performer, with six gold and platinum discs to his credit (including one more gold award for the debut album by his band Chickenfoot), and sales in excess of 10 million copies. Satriani's 19th studio album, The Elephants of Mars, crackles with an exciting new energy, briskly traveling through stylistic roads that feel freshly updated, viewed through new eyes. Forced time away from the road due to the pandemic, allowed for time to deliver an album length journey that never dulls. A virtuoso guitarist, visionary composer, and consummate producer who sculpts musical sound with infinite creativity and technical mastery, Steve Vai has awed fans of all genres with his exceptional guitar skills and musicianship for decades. At age 12, he started taking guitar lessons from Joe Satriani. At 18, he began his professional music career transcribing for, and then playing with, the legendary Frank Zappa. More than three decades, over 15 million in album sales, and three GRAMMY Awards later, Vai has proven himself, in his own right, to be one of music’s true originals. Vai’s work has been recognized with a long list of awards and honors, including over 15 from Guitar Player magazine alone. His career accomplishments have earned him honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music and Musicians Institute. The 2016 Long Island Music Hall of Fame inductee was voted the 10th “Greatest Guitarist” by Guitar World magazine and consistently lands among the best in various lists of the top guitarists of all time

Florida Theatre

For over three decades, the guitar virtuoso has traveled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star “G3” guitar extravaganza. Satriani’s studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. He launched his annual “G4 Experience” in 2014 bringing aspiring guitarists together for four days of workshops, mentor sessions and live performances, providing an exclusive learning platform led by him and his accomplished peers. In 2021, he introduced the “Crystal Planet” comic series, a five-part opus interweaving the realms of music and art. The tour documentary “Beyond the Supernova,” directed by ZZ Satriani and currently available for streaming, offers an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse that intricately chronicles his life, illuminating the profound dedication that fuels his guitar mastery. His side project, Chickenfoot, featuring former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith saw their debut album certified gold and their second studio album debuted at #9. Satriani released his 19th studio album, The Elephants of Mars, in April 2022.

Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson & Steve Vai

Fox Theater

Formed in 2024 after decades of friendship and musical intersections, SATCHVAI brings together two of the most celebrated guitarists of all time—Joe Satriani and Steve Vai—for an unprecedented collaboration. Rounding out the powerhouse lineup are Kenny Aronoff (drums), Marco Mendoza (bass), and Pete Thorn (guitar), creating a stellar quintet of world-class musicians. More than just a band, SATCHVAI is a supercharged fusion of guitar-driven mastery, chemistry, and creative fire.

SatchVai Band ft. Joe Satriani & Steve Vai

Fox Theater Oakland

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai’s Surfing With The Hydra 2026 Tour is coming to Dallas! The Satch/Vai Band is joined by special guest Animals As Leaders!

SatchVai Band Ft Joe Satriani & Steve Vai with Animals As Leaders

Music Hall At Fair Park

SatchVai Band featuring Joe Satriani & Steve Vai will bring the Surfing with the Hydra Tour with special guest Animals As Leaders to The Chicago Theatre on May 3.

SatchVai Band Ft Joe Satriani & Steve Vai

The Chicago Theatre

Legendary guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai are bringing their electrifying SATCHVAI Band to North America for the first time.

SatchVai Band: Surfing With the Hydra 2026 Tour

Meridian Hall

SatchVai Band featuring Joe Satriani & Steve Vai will bring the Surfing with the Hydra Tour with special guest Animals As Leaders to the Beacon Theatre on May 28.

Guitarist

Joe Satriani

Events

Upcoming events

Apr 4, 2026

SatchVai Band ft. Joe Satriani & Steve Vai · Fox Theater Oakland

Apr 17, 2026

SatchVai Band Ft Joe Satriani & Steve Vai with Animals As Leaders · Broadway Dallas

May 3, 2026

SatchVai Band Ft Joe Satriani & Steve Vai · The Chicago Theatre

May 13, 2026

SatchVai Band: Surfing With the Hydra 2026 Tour · TO Live

May 28, 2026

SatchVai Band Ft Joe Satriani & Steve Vai · The Beacon Theatre

Past events

Jan 25, 2025

Faculty Recital: Kenton Youngstrom, Guitar · Colburn School

Mar 27, 2024

Joe Satriani & Steve Vai · Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

About

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