Over the years, guitarist have always played and integral role as the "front person" in music. Whether it's rock, blues, country or jazz the guitar has always set the mood of a song.

Enter New York's own Rob Balducci. At the age of 10, Rob got his first taste of music through his sister, a musician herself, who influenced and taught her brother to play acoustic guitar. Just three years later, Rob started to get involved with putting together local garage bands. Being the youngest member in his first group, Visions (his other friends being 18 and 19), Rob started playing at clubs in his area; The Fields, Beggar's Opera, the popular LaMour, and others.

About a year and several bands later, it was in the latter part of the '80's that Rob answered an ad in a local newspaper. A band by the name of Project X was looking for a lead guitarist. Rob auditioned and was instantly made their "front man."

Happy to be playing, but tired of just being a local favorite, Rob decided it was time to become more seriously involved with the recording side of music. With hardly any money, but rich with integrity, he felt it was time to put his gifted talent on wax.

He started entering guitar contests and among the many he won, the most outstanding was his 1990 New York's Best Guitarist award sponsored by Guitar For The Practicing Musician, D'Addario and Marshall.

Rob's talent and perseverance finally paid off, giving him the opportunity to work with such companies as D'Addario, Ibanez, DiMarzio, and Eventide, endorsing their products.

Rob's style is unique. It's a combination of hard rock, metal and blues. His indie demo has garnered praise by critics as well. One writer stating, "Balducci possesses an emotional feel that is rare in music...it's fascinating how well Balducci is able to express himself through his music without using a single word. His talent is well on the way to much broader horizons."

In 1994, Rob decided it was time to get into the studio. With help of well-known producer/engineer, Ben Fowler (Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pat Metheney and Little Steven), Rob entered New York's Power Station studio and began working on his debut album, Balance on Circumstantial Records. The lineup of musicians who felt strong enough to be part of his first solo effort in itself shows the faith in Rob's song-writing capability. Keyboardist, Jeff Bova (Meatloaf, Michael McDonald, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood), percussionist, Caf'e (David Byrne, Peter Gabriel) and bassist Dan Miranda and drummer Keith Ciaramello.

Balance, is ten melodic tracks full of energy and substance.

Rob's most recent release Mantra keeps this tradition alive, yet offers so much more. On Mantra, Rob Balducci comes into his own. His songwriting style, multi-layered instrumental, has you believing that the guitar is his voice. There is enough guitar playing on this record to satisfy all fans of the genre, and the songs are so melodic that even if you are not a musician you will be enthralled by the melodies and moods he creates.