Chieli Minucci

by Scott Yanow For 14 years (1982-1996), guitarist Chieli Minucci was half of the popular World Fusion band Special EFX, forming a musical partnership with percussionist George Jinda and creating accessible yet slightly unusual music. Minucci attended Ithica College, playing guitar in a variety of rock and pop groups, and had developed his own approach to the guitar when he met up with Jinda in 1982. Their band recorded extensively with GRP (1984-1992) and also made three CDs for JVC (1993-1995) before finally breaking up. Minucci in the 1980s and 90s also worked as a producer and writer for other musicians including Deborah Henson-Conant and Kim Pensyl, plus he worked in the studios. Minucci appeared on a variety of R&B dates by the likes of Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, Noel Pointer, and Angela Bofill and began his solo career in 1995, cutting three CDs as a leader without Jinda for JVC during 1995-1997. Since that time, Minucci has continued to release albums, some of which include Sweet on You in 2000, Night Grooves in 2003, and Sweet Surrender in 2007.