BIO
“Seasoned, articulate playing and thoughtful compositions.” - Oscar Jordan, Vintage Guitar Magazine
“Builds on the foundation laid by jazz fusion titans like Beck and McLaughlin, then takes everything one step further.” - Pat Moran, Creative Loafing
“Dustin Hofsess is an artist of the highest form.” - Mary London, It’s All About the Guitar
The “Formal” Bio
Dustin Hofsess is a seasoned guitarist, educator, and producer based in Boone, NC. With over 25 years of experience, Dustin has balanced a dynamic career performing, recording, producing, and teaching guitar. He’s toured nationally, performed across the Southeast with diverse groups, and played alongside renowned artists like John Scofield, Grover Washington Jr., Darius Rucker, and Edwin McCain.
As an engaging and dedicated teacher, Dustin spent over a decade as Instructor of Guitar & Bass (Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Contemporary Music) at Davidson College. He’s guided thousands of students through tens of thousands of private lessons, both in-person and online, helping them unlock their potential on the instrument.
Dustin has contributed to hundreds of recording projects, collaborating with artists such as Jim Brock and Tim Cashion. His own discography includes five self-produced albums, including Green Light and Automatic Chi. His recent solo recording, Short Stories, showcases his original compositions and features world-class musicians George Porter Jr. (The Meters) and Jim Brock (Indigo Girls, Joe Walsh). He also composed four original pieces for the award-winning documentary Walking the West.
Dustin also worked as one of the studio guitarists at Sound Choice Studios, the world’s largest producer of karaoke tracks. There, he learned and replicated guitar parts from hundreds of iconic recordings. This unique experience refined his versatility, deepened his knowledge of countless styles, and taught him how to craft an array of guitar tones with precision.
A lifelong student of music, Dustin studied under Tim Murray at The Guitar Workshop, Classical Guitar at UNC Charlotte, and Jazz Guitar with Tomo Fujita (Berklee College of Music), Oz Noy, Jim Campilongo, and Joel Harrison.
Dustin’s career has taken him to iconic venues such as NYC’s Knitting Factory, New Orleans’ DBA, San Francisco’s Boom Boom Room, and Santa Barbara’s SOHO. Whether performing for intimate crowds or sharing the stage with legends, Dustin brings a unique voice and passion to every note he plays.