JOSEPH "JOE" SGRO

My last lesson with Joe was in the late 60's and today I still practice the lessons that I learned with Joe. I have been living and performing in New Orleans for most of my adult life but I don't think that it would of happened without Joe. Recently I watched a YouTube video of Joe talking about some of his ideas. Even now I am still learning from the Master .

More than guitar technique and virtuosity, my Monday lessons with Joe Sgro in the
Mid 1980’s was about human kindness. His smile and willingness to give all that he had was infectious. In the highly competitive world of the music industry, he taught me to balance what was in my heart with what was in my fingers and my mind. Joe was simply the best.
-Jon Dichter

Still and will always be my beloved teacher, I think of you every day with loving memories, Sonny Troy(Gagliardi)

Amazing, It has been 50 years since my last lesson with Joe, to this day I cannot pick up my guitar to practice or perform without thinking of Joe. I am reminded of the proper way to hold the guitar and I still practice his finger exercises, scales, arpeggios and chord scales. No teacher that I have ever met is more effective in getting his message across to his students. Without Joe I do not believe I could have had a career as a guitarist.

Joe was my guitar teacher in the late sixties. I studied with him for several years and as result of my time spent with him I went on to make my living as a professional guitarist and I am still at it today. I was always amazed how he could get so much out of his students and how many went on to be world class player.

I studied with Joe back in the mid-70's, and will be forever influenced--and humbled--by his virtuosity, his passion for music, and his kindness. He was truly a special person, not just for his astounding musicianship but also for the unique and gentle way he communicated with his students.
I remember seeing the great Pat Martino in concert a few years ago and got a chance to meet him backstage. When I mentioned Joe Sgro, Pat's face lit up with a huge smile and he spent the next several...

My mentor, my one and only teacher

it is with tears in my eyes that I write this - I studied with Joe in the late 80's and still practice and teach the techniques he taught me to this day- I will never forget him

TO THE SGRO FAMILY. I STUDIED WITH MR. SGRO IN THE EARLY 80'S. NOT ONLY WAS HE A GREAT TEACHER BUT A FINE HUMAN BEING. EVEN THOUGH I DO NOT PLAY MUCH NOW I STILL HAVE HIS HAND WRITTEN LESSONS. WHAT A MAN AND WHAT A MUSICIAN. THE BEST! HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED. WHEN HE GAVE YOU A LESSON YOU BETTER BE PRACTICING AT LEAST 6 HRS A DAY OR YOU WOULD HEAR ABOUT IT. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO ALL.