Guitarist Matt Hartle, a Pennsylvania native now based in Santa Cruz, CA, channels the spirit of the San Francisco Bay Area’s rich musical legacy. With a background in jazz and a passion for blending rock, blues, folk, and improvisation, his fluid, expressive style has drawn comparisons to Jerry Garcia and Carlos Santana—though his voice remains uniquely his own. A key figure in bands like Shady Groove, Painted Mandolin, Spirit of '76, and The China Cats, Hartle also leads the popular “Grateful Sundays” series and shares his love of music through teaching guitar and piano.