The extraordinary pairing of Jim Campilongo and Steve Cardenas has been a
rewarding one for the two guitarists, who have been performing in tandem
for the past twenty years. Though they have recorded together before, the pair
had never released an album of this grouping. The opportunity was seized when
Campilongo was planning his return to the Bay Area, the pair realizing the project
that was always simmering and needed to be put to a boil. The result is their fantastic
new album, New Year.
Campilongo moved to New York City from California in 2002, becoming enmeshed
in the local rock and singer/songwriter scene, most notably with his
own trio and as a member of The Little Willies with Norah Jones. It was around
this time that he was introduced to Cardenas, through a mutual friend singer/
songwriter Richard Julian. The two immediately connected and a fast friendship
turned into a mutual admiration society from their first time playing together. It
was Campilongo who initially suggested that they get together and they quickly
developed a working chemistry. They also decided to focus on playing only acoustic
guitars in their duo, Campilongo on steel string and Cardenas on nylon string.
Soon after, the duo began playing gigs at Rockwood Music Hall, the 55 Bar, and
Barbès.