Joseph Louis Diorio (born August 6, 1936, Waterbury , Connecticut , USA ) is an American jazz guitarist. He has performed with legends of jazz like Sonny Stitt , Eddie Harris , Ira Sullivan , Stan Getz , Pat Metheny , Horace Silver , and Freddie Hubbard . In recent years he also recorded albums with modern performers like Robben Ford , Gary Willis , David Becker and fellow guitar education legend Mick Goodrick . Following in the footsteps of an uncle, Diorio took up the guitar, studying formally in the early 50s at a local music school. He worked for a while with local bands, but in the early 60s he ventured into New York City where he played with several jazz musicians. In April 2005 he struggled to regain the full use of his left hand following a stroke he suffered at his West Coast residence in San Clemente. Diorio currently teaches at the University of Southern California . He was also one of the first instructors for the Guitar Institute of Technology . He has published several instructional books and videos, and has released 10 albums under his name.