Scott Card and Russell Kniffin have a unique connection, having been friends for the past decade. Both having grown up as young musicians from Groton, Massachusetts, both with vast musical backgrounds and taste. But their adaptive and creative abilities have led them to create a simple, expressive and comprehensive sound that captures the essence of the guitar as an instrument that has not quite been heard in today’s music.
Kniffin grew up on a wide mix of acoustic blues and rock and roll, and soon he was playing hours of “folky” finger-picking acoustic guitar. But in his more mature years he developed an ear for the intensely emotional and involved melodies of metal music, from which he produced a playing style and sound like no other. He began to compose and spent all of his time on the instrument creating unique compositions for the acoustic guitar. Currently, he continues to explore the emotions and complexities of music at Ithaca College as a classical guitar performance major under the instruction of Dr. Pablo Cohen.
Card was also a rock and roller in his young years as well, following the meaty rock of the Seventies and the speedy licks of Steve Vai and contemporary rock. He played the electric guitar and developed an affinity to expressive improvisation and melody writing. In combination with the rock and blues influences in his musical career, along with new influences of jazz, Card created visceral, powerful, and emotional melodies and improvised lines. Card is currently expanding his musical even further at Ithaca College, where he is a Jazz Studies major, and also studies classical guitar under Dr. Pablo Cohen.
In 2009, they came together to record their debut instrumental album, At a Loss for Words, featuring only two guitars in each piece. With Producer Berklee College of Music alumnus and accomplished guitarist Chris McDermott captured the complete and unadulterated sound of the guitar while featuring compositions from a wide array of influences and playing styles.
Scott Card and Russell Kniffin have showcased their music at numerous local events all over New England, and have received warm reception to their compositions.
In addition to their talents as guitarists and songwriters, Scott & Russell are gifted young film composers. Their talent is evident from the movie samples "Lovefield" & "Wrong Side of the Bed".
Scott Card and Russell Kniffin have a unique connection, having been friends for the past decade. Both having grown up as young musicians from Groton, Massachusetts, both with vast musical backgrounds and taste. But their adaptive and creative abilities have led them to create a simple, expressive and comprehensive sound that captures the essence of the guitar as an instrument that has not quite been heard in today’s music. 