As a touring guitar musician, performer, and educator, guitarist Vinny Raniolo keeps a busy touring schedule in a variety of musical settings.  His dynamic playing has brought him to 18 countries.  His musical collaborations include those with Frank Vignola, Tommy Emmanuel, Bucky Pizzarelli, Vince Giordano and Deana Martin to name a few.  He has also become a familiar figure on PBS being featured on three popular shows, including the heavily programmed Tommy Emmanuel and Friends, in Frank Vignola's Four Generations of Guitar as the youngest generation in the lineage of jazz guitarists with veteran Bucky Pizzarelli, and in the Music Gone Public series.   Film and recording credits include soundtracks and on-screen appearances for HBO's “Boardwalk Empire”, Woody Allen's film “Café Society” and Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film “The Irishman.”

Vinny has always had a close relationship with aviation through family members’ association with a charter and flight school.  Growing up around pilots and aviation professionals has led to some amazingly fortunate experiences flying in small planes and lear jets.  It is somewhat surprising that the aviation bug didn’t bite sooner.  Guitar and music were his main passions until about three years ago after taking his first flight lesson in a Piper Warrior.  It was then that another passion began.  Determined to finish what was started, Vinny is now an instrument rated pilot working on his commercial certificate.  He plans to continue education in aviation making flying an important part of his life.  Vinny’s latest musical CD, “Air Guitar” combines his two passions with a performance of aviation inspired songs from the early jazz era.