Geoff Hartwell
Geoff Hartwell is a scorching guitar player, songwriter, teacher and clinician.
Recent shows have included performances with legends such as Gregg Allman, Sonny Landreth, Tab Benoit and John Hammond and touring/recording with Andy Aledort and Yonrico Scott (of the Derek Trucks Band), and also Alan Evans of Soulive.
Growing up, Hartwell studied guitar fiercely and was playing NYC venues like CBGB's, Kennys Castaways and the Lion's Den by the time he was in his teens. In addition to studying music full-time at Hartwick College, he was also a Samuel J. Nelson scholarship recipient in recognition of his academic aptitude. After music school, Hartwell toured internationally in Europe with a rock musical production of "The Birds" and travelled through Australia and New Zealand.
Geoff Hartwell began to acquire his skills in the recording studio at The Loft Recording Studios while working on Shanachie Records sessions for Debbie Davies' "Round Every Corner" and The New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars' "Fresh Out the Past" albums in addition to sessions produced by Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, Richard Shindell).
Geoff Hartwell is a long-time faculty member at the National Guitar Workshop where he's taught seminars in Austin, Texas and Chicago, Illinois with special guests Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar. At NGW he's also shared the stage with Blues Legends such as Jimmy Thackery, formerly of Muddy Waters' Band. Geoff was excited to share the stage again with Sonny on tour dates including B.B. King's in NYC, and to collaborate with him on the recordings which yielded the new CD, "Hate To See You Go".
Geoff Hartwell has appeared in international magazines such as Guitar World and Vintage Guitar Magazine. Recent television performances include appearing as a “Naked Hippie” in a hugely popular skit on Saturday Night Live (which was chosen to open the “Best of the Year” DVD), and playing guitar for the theme to the Discovery Channel show “Outward Bound”, as well as interview/performances on "Poughkeepsie Live!", The Guitar Show with Mike Byrnes, and "The Listening Room" on RNN.
Geoff Hartwell has a Keyman endorsement with Hamer Guitars. He also proudly endorses D'Addario strings, Gold Tone Acoustic Instruments and Pigtronix Effects and is sponsored by Sam Ash Music.
In addition to maintaining a busy clinic and teaching schedule, Geoff Hartwell continues to perform up to 200 nights per year.
