Multi-genre live guitarist and session artist Mike Vincitore began playing guitar and developing his own style in the early 1980’s. He co-founded his first band, Red Light District in 1992 at Saint Bonaventure University, an original alternative groove rock group. RLD recorded 4 original albums. Vincitore was a co-founder of Dark Hollow in 1995 in Syracuse, one of the earliest and longest performing Grateful Dead tribute bands in Upstate NY, still performing today! He was invited to be in the original lineup of The Family Dawgz, an Upstate NY Grateful Dead collective. Vincitore also recorded an alternative Americana solo debut record under his MVP moniker. Next came the Lightkeepers in 2014, a successful funk/R&B/ soul jam fusion band, who recorded three original albums. He more recently branched out in into Blues and Jazz with the Fillmore Blues Band as well as Honey Jar Habit, and co-founded a Grateful Dead collective band, Half Past Dead.

Vincitore is a multiple nominated and SAMMY award recipient. He’s a three-time New York State Blues Fest performer as well as a two-time Blues in the Schools performer, who has also worked with special needs students for over 30 years.

Vincitore has had the great fortune to perform with many musical legends including being a supporting act for Melvin Seals (JGB), New Riders of the Purple Sage, MOE.,The Original Wailers, Edgar Winter, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Willie Nelson, Joe Bonamassa, Donna Jean Godchaux, Robert Randolph, Rusted Root, Donna the Buffalo, Max Creek and Keller Williams.

Vincitore was asked to play backup for Vince Welnick (6 shows), Garth Hudson (Bob Dylan and the Band), G-Love and Burning Spear. He also was a musical guest for 3 nights on Big Steve Parish’s North American Tour. Vincitore’s latest exciting project is an original album, the culmination of a decade of songwriting with Dark Hollow’s co-founder and lead singer Michael O’Hara in the Mike O’Hara Band/Mojo Hand.