
"In the Pocket Series": Oz Noy Trio featuring Mike Lettieri

Upcoming
September 10th, 2026
About the Artist
BIOGRAPHY
MARK LETTIERI
Mark Lettieri is a multi 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 nine 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), Fly Through It (EP, 2022), Out by Midnight: Live at the Iridium (2023), Can I Tell You Something? (2024), and Mark Lettieri Group Meets WDR Big Band at Studio 4 (2025). 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 around the globe 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 eight releases to date: The Fearless Flyers (2018), The Fearless Flyers II (2019), Tailwinds (2020), Live at Madison Square Garden (2021), The Fearless Flyers III (2022), The Fearless Flyers IV (2024), The Fearless Flyers V (2025), and Live in Italy (2025). The band is a regular presence on the international jazz and jam-band festival scene.
In 2026, Lettieri teamed up with Mumbai, India-based sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee, to release the duo project Feathered Creatures - an instrumental blend of Indian classical music with EDM and progressive rock.
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, Jeff Lorber, Randy Brecker, 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 pieces of musical equipment with a number of brands. In recent years, he has teamed up with Paul Reed Smith Guitars to create his Fiore model line of signature electric guitars, 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 TrueFire, 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, two daughters, and three cats.
OZ NOY
Virtuoso guitarist and composer Oz Noy has carved out a distinctive niche within the contemporary music landscape by creating an electrifying fusion of jazz, funk, rock, blues, and R&B. His innovative approach, described succinctly by Noy himself as “Jazz—it just doesn’t sound like it,” has captivated audiences worldwide and earned him widespread acclaim among fans, critics, and fellow musicians alike.
Born in Israel, Oz embarked on his professional music career at the remarkably young age of 13, swiftly distinguishing himself across multiple genres. By age 16, he had already established himself as a leading guitarist, performing alongside many of Israel’s most prominent artists. By age 24, Oz had become one of the most in-demand session guitarists in the country and held a pivotal role as a member of the house band on Israel’s top-rated television show for over two years.
Oz’s artistic journey took a transformative leap when he relocated to New York City in 1996. His arrival in the vibrant music scene of New York marked the beginning of a prolific career, characterized by an infectious groove and genre-defying sonic explorations. Quickly making his mark, he began collaborating with some of the most revered musicians in the industry, including drummers Keith Carlock, Anton Fig, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Dave Weckl, as well as bassists Will Lee, James Genus, and Reggie Washington.
In 2003, Oz introduced himself formally to the music world with his debut album, “Oz Live!”, recorded at the legendary Bitter End in Greenwich Village. His breakthrough came shortly thereafter, signing with Magna Carta Records and releasing his critically acclaimed studio debut “Ha!” in 2005. This groundbreaking release featured his signature all-star lineup, including Anton Fig, Keith Carlock, Will Lee, and James Genus, and boasted special guest appearances by Mike Stern and George Whitty.
Oz’s discography rapidly expanded with celebrated albums such as “Fuzzy” (2007), featuring the talents of Vinnie Colaiuta, Jimmy Johnson, and Jim Beard, and “Schizophrenic” (2009), which included guest musician Steve Lukather. He then ventured into blues-infused territories with “Twisted Blues Vol. 1” (2011) and “Twisted Blues Vol. 2” (2014), highlighting collaborations with esteemed artists Eric Johnson, Allen Toussaint, Warren Haynes, Chick Corea, John Medeski, and Gregoire Maret.
In subsequent years, Oz continued his sonic experimentation with releases such as the live “Asian Twistz” (2015), recorded during an acclaimed Asian tour, and “Who Gives A Funk” (2016), featuring celebrated musicians Joe Bonamassa, Robben Ford, and Dweezil Zappa, among others. His innovative trio, Ozone Squeeze, debuted in 2017, showcasing fresh creative directions alongside drummer Darren Stanley and vocalist-keyboardist Rai Thistlethwayte. Sara Niemietz joined the band for their second album, “Squeeze It!”
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“It’s Jazz—it just doesn’t sound like it.”
