Can I Tell You Something? Mark Lettieri

• 1Dragonfly05:17
• 2Canyon Run04:40
• 3Black Iris06:18
• 4Blankworld05:19
• 5Time After Time05:38
• 6Shimmy Tiger06:27
• 7Saturday Stuff04:28
• 8Greenspace05:31
• 9Neural Net04:56
• 10Gemstone04:42
• Total Runtime53:16

Info for Can I Tell You Something?

Can I Tell You Something? is the latest release from five-time GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist and composer, Mark Lettieri. The acclaimed musician, known for his work with leading instrumental bands Snarky Puppy and The Fearless Flyers, produced ten tracks spanning his trademark kaleidoscope of tones and textures. The songs range from the fiery riff-rock of "Dragonfly" and the 80's pop hooks of "Shimmy Tiger," to the psychedelic balladry of "Black Iris" and the baritone-fueled heavy funk of "Saturday Stuff." Lettieri even tackles the Cyndi Lauper classic "Time After Time," reworking it into a detailed symphony of guitar orchestration. His longtime rhythm section from the Mark Lettieri Group backs him up on all tracks, and the band features on the smoldering bonus cut "Voyager One," from the GRAMMY-nominated Deep: The Baritone Sessions, Vol. 2, recorded live at the famed Iridium in New York, NY. The album even plays down like a two halves of the same brain: one side showcases Lettieri's deft ability at crafting intelligent rock and pop, while the other finds him digging deep into his bag of groove. Can I Tell You Something? provides a comprehensive into the guitar instrumentalist's chameleonic musical aura, proving to be a landmark release in Lettieri's ascending trajectory.

Mark Lettieri, electric, baritone electric, and acoustic guitars, bass VI (tracks 3 & 5), keyboards, programming
Jason “JT” Thomas, drums
Daniel Porter, keyboards (tracks 2, 3, 6, 7, 9 & 10)
Wes Stephenson, bass
Bobby Sparks, organ (tracks 7 & 9), Mini-Moog (track 9)
Zach Brock, violin (track 3)

Mark Lettieri
is a five-time GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist, composer, producer, and instructor based in Fort Worth, TX. He creates acclaimed guitar-based instrumental music, and is a member of leading instrumental bands Snarky Puppy and The Fearless Flyers. As a session musician proficient in a multitude of styles, he has recorded and performed in virtually every genre of popular music with both independent and major-label artists.

Lettieri has released seven albums as a leader: Knows (2011), Futurefun (2013), Spark and Echo (2016) Deep: The Baritone Sessions in (2019), Things of That Nature (2019), Deep: The Baritone Sessions, Vol. 2 (2021), and Fly Through It (EP, 2022). Deep: The Baritone Sessions, Vol. 2 earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, giving Lettieri his first nomination as a solo artist. He tours this material internationally with his quartet, the Mark Lettieri Group.

Playing in the vibrant Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex gospel and R&B scene led Lettieri to join Snarky Puppy in 2008, and he remains active with the band as a writer, arranger, session player, and touring member. His work with the group has resulted in five GRAMMY Awards: Best R&B Performance for "Something" feat. Lalah Hathaway in 2014, and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (Sylva in 2016, Culcha Vulcha in 2017, Live at the Royal Albert Hall in 2021, and Empire Central in 2023).

In 2018, Lettieri helped form The Fearless Flyers, with Cory Wong, Nate Smith, and Joe Dart. The Vulfpeck-adjacent quartet has four releases to date: The Fearless Flyers (2018), The Fearless Flyers II (2019), Tailwinds (2020), Live at Madison Square Garden (2021), and The Fearless Flyers III (2022). The band is a regular presence on the jazz and jam-band festival scene.

As a sideman, Lettieri has performed and/or recorded with a myriad of artists including Erykah Badu, David Crosby, Kirk Franklin, The Jacksons, Fred Hammond, Tori Kelly, 50 Cent, Ledisi, Tamela Mann, Lecrae, Lupe Fiasco, Keyshia Cole, Xzibit, Anthony Evans, Phillip Phillips, Nelly, Chrisette Michele, Myron Butler, and even alongside comedians Dave Chappelle and Harry Shearer. For a sizable sampling of Lettieri’s session work, visit this Spotify playlist.

In addition to his recording and performing career, Lettieri is involved with the development and demonstration of various musical equipment with a number of brands. In recent years, he has teamed up with Paul Reed Smith Guitars to create his signature model Fiore electric guitar, the MeLody overdrive pedal with J. Rockett Audio Designs, and the NewWave chorus pedal with Jackson Audio. Lettieri has also collaborated with Apple, Inc. to create a package of downloadable guitar loops for the digital audio workstations Logic Pro and Garageband.

As an instructor, Lettieri has released online guitar instructional courses through outlets such as JamPlay, Brett Papa, Guitareo, and Soundslice, as well as print lessons available from Premier Guitar Magazine.

On a personal note, Lettieri was born in the San Francisco Bay Area, and came to Texas via Texas Christian University (TCU). There, he matriculated in advertising and public relations, competed in track and field, and began dipping his toes in the local music scene. A passionate guitarist since middle school, he began his music career upon graduating from TCU. An avid lover of food, travel, and doing his best to keep an active lifestyle, he resides with his wife, daughter, three cats, and a hamster.

This album contains no booklet.