On The Grande Passion, guitarist extraordinaire Al Di Meola explores melody and rhythmic diversity with the help of his acoustic group, World Sinfonia.

A legendary figure in jazz and progressive rock, Di Meola continues his tradition of mixing the sounds of world music together with his own contemporary vision. His latest edition of World Sinfonia spotlights a group of internationally renowned players, including pianist Mario Parmisano, bassist John Pattitucci, guitarist/vocalist Hernan Romero, and percussionists Arto Tuncboyacian, Gilad, and Gumbi Ortiz.

The Grande Passion includes six Di Meola originals and three compositions by the late Argentine tango master Astor Piazzolla ("Double Concerto," "Soledad," and "Libertango"). Di Meola’s friendship with Piazzolla before his death had a profound effect on the guitarist, deepening his ties to the music of South America.

First tapped by Chick Corea in 1974 for Return to Forever, Al Di Meola’s fruitful career spans a range of styles, emotions, and instruments. From the velocity and heat of his solo efforts to his challenging work with the Guitar Trio and beyond, Di Meola has matured into a composer of deepening grace and lyricism who consistently breaks new ground.

Di Meola’s critically acclaimed Winter Nights (CD-83458), with Peter Gabriel’s "Mercy Street" and Paul Simon’s "Scarborough Fair," was his first ever Christmas CD. His Telarc debut, The Infinite Desire (CD-83433), has sold more than 100,000 copies to date and spent over 3 months on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. In Germany, The Infinite Desire spent over 20 weeks on the jazz chart, rising to #3. In Italy, it reached #1 and spent 8 weeks on the jazz chart.