San Diego Music Hall of Fame®

Inducted 2023

Fred Benedetti began studies of classical guitar at the age of 16 and by age 26 was one of 12 guitarists worldwide to perform in one of the last masterclasses of Maestro Andres Segovia. Fred has performed in the United States, England, Germany, the Czech Republic, Canada, Taiwan, and Mexico. He’s performed locally with the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Opera, the Starlight Opera, the American Ballet Company, the Old Globe Theatre, Luciano Pavarotti, and jazz artist Dave Brubeck. He has performed for dignitaries such as the King & Queen of Malaysia, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Ravi Shankar.

Equally at home playing classical or contemporary music, Benedetti records on the SBE label and Domo Records as a solo artist and with noted ensembles: Camarada (chamber ensemble), Hot Pstromi (a klezmer band), Keltik Kharma (a celtic band), The Odeum Guitar Duo (given the honor by the magazine Acoustic Guitar), and the acclaimed Benedetti/Svoboda Guitar Duo.

Benedetti is also an emeritus professor of music at Grossmont College where was the head of the guitar studies program. He is part of the guitar program at San Diego State University with colleagues Robert Wetzel and Sean Bassett. Recipient of multiple awards for his teaching, his students benefit from his lifetime of excellent experience.

As a BMI affiliated composer, Fred has written numerous contemporary pieces for the international CD library company Network Productions and as a studio musician for 35 years his playing is featured on over 100 CD’s, numerous movie soundtracks, and TV commercials. He has shared the stage with countless legends and is truly a legend himself.

Excerpts from fredbenedetti.com