Vital Information will be introducing a new band member to audiences in the USA starting on July 5th and 6th at Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland, CA. Vinny Valentino, a talented guitarist and composer, has joined Vital Information for touring and an upcoming new recording.

In the Autumn of 2004, Vinny filled in at the last minute for longtime Vital Information guitarist Frank Gambale on a European tour. Frank was called away just two weeks before the tour began on an urgent family matter. Frank and saxophonist Bill Evans both recommended Vinny for the tour. Vinny was on tour in Siberia at the time and learned the Vital Information tunes on overnight train rides in Russia. Vinny did an excellent job playing the music on the four-week tour, injecting his own unique personality into the group’s sound.

After 19 years of Frank being an integral member of Vital Information, he has left the band in order to spend more time developing his solo career. Vinny was the logical choice to step in on guitar and bring new energy and ideas to the band. Vital Information bandleader Steve Smith says, "We are all thrilled that Vinny has joined the group. He is a world-class improviser and composer, swings hard, has a beautiful sound and is super funky."

For more biographical and recording info, visit Vinny's Web site.