Brian Stoltz has been gathering fans around the world and with the release of his two solo CD's, East Of Rampart Street and God, Guns & Money, he is becoming known as New Orleans' premiere guitarist and songwriter. He has, in equal measure, based his career on virtuosity, raw emotion and a blistering signature style. While touring and recording for 10 years with the world renowned Neville Brothers, he has created fluid and coherent bodies of work on his own. In addition to being in demand as a phenomenal guitarist, his skill as a songwriter has caught the attention of artists like Aaron Neville, the Neville Brothers, blues artist Coco Montoya, The Wild Magnolias, zydeco artist Zachary Richard and writer/film director John Sayles. Brian has continually fought to break the stereotype as a mere funk guitarist. Playing with articulate schemes - as Bob Dylan described him - his awesome virtuosity and unmistakable sound has been featured on recordings by artists as diverse as Dylan, Edie Brickell, Linda Ronstadt, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, the funky Meters and Aaron Neville, to name a few. His television appearances includes The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman, Austin City Limits, Cinemax and Showtime specials, and concerts with the Grateful Dead. Ever socially conscious, Brian toured, along with the Neville Brothers, U2, Peter Gabriel, the Police and Lou Reed as the torch-bearers of the first Amnesty International Tour in 1986 to raise consciousness of the fate of political prisoners around the world. He has received awards from CMJ (College Music Journal) and the New Music Corporation for Lifetime Achievement. His co-written Healing Chant, performed by the Neville Brothers, won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental in 1991. Brian was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the Best Traditional Blues category for his solo rendition of You Gotta Move on Telarc Records' Preachin' The Blues: The Music Of Mississippi Fred McDowell. He has performed on numerous music videos and his songs and performances have been called the highlight of film soundtracks such as the legendary John Sayles' City of Hope and Robert Townsend's The Mighty Quinn. Brian now shares his time between writing and touring with Porter-Batiste-Stoltz and his ongoing explorations as a writer for his individual projects.