Born in Frauenfeld, Switzerland Yussi began to play guitar in 1985 and studied at the Jazz Conservatory St. Gallen. After formimg and playing in a dozen bands and recording an album with "The Minimals" he moved to Los Angeles to attend Musicians Institute in Hollywood where he graduated with honors. In 1993 he enrolled at L.A.V.C. to study classical guitar, arranging and orchestration, attend master classes and perform recitals. Then, in 94' Yussi began to play mandolin, banjo and other exotic string instruments, developed a strong interest in flamenco guitar and studied with L.A. teachers. While Indian master Hari Har Rao tutored Yussi in the art of sitar playing Narada recording artists Axiom of Choice invited him in 1994 to join the band for their debut album "Beyond Denial." In 95' he designed a series of guitars with Luthier Boaz Elkayam, recorded and released Yussi & Django's album Bandidos de Amor and also played on Ricky Martin's "A Medio Vivir" featuring the hit song "Maria." He was later called up to play on Ricky's Grammy Winning 98 release Vuelve.

Yussi's solo debut "El Pirata" was released in 2000 and he has now finished his second solo album. Since 1995 Yussi played on 80 plus albums, numerous film scores, TV shows and documentaries. He also appears in the movies "Paulie" and "Love and Basketball," recorded two albums with his rumba band Bandidos de Amor and gives more then 230 live performances each year. Yussi has performed or recorded with many Latin and Middle Eastern Stars: Ricky Martin - Cristian Castro - Lucero Nydia Rojas - Robi Rosa - Cheech Marin Fernando Allende - Mostafa Amar - Ragheb Alama - Andy - Faramarz Assef - Baila Habibi - Eden's Crush - El Chicano Other Credits Include: The Mexican - Popstars - Doubletake - Love and Basketball - Paulie - Gunshy - Shasta McNasty - Party of Five

After successful release of "Bandidos De Amor" by Yussi & Django, Yussi releases El Pirata as his first solo album. In this release, Yussi plays an exotic and energetic style of instrumental guitar music that is spiced with fiery improvisations in the tradition of Eastern European Gypsy, Spanish flamenco and American jazz players. His original compositions blend Spanish and Middle Eastern guitar melodies with powerful Latin and Persian rhythms. His music has sweetness, soul, precision, and youthful energy.

Yussi & Django play an exotic and energetic style of instrumental music that is spiced with fiery improvisation in the tradition of Eastern European Gypsy, Spanish flamenco and American jazz players. Their exciting, virtuosic playing is captured on this CD, accompanied by some of Los Angeles' finest young musicians on fretless bass and percussion. Their original compositions blend Spanish and Middle Eastern guitar melodies with powerful Latin and Persian rhythms, and the result is an intriguing and playful sound similar to the Gypsy Kings, Ottmar Liebert, Strunz and Farah (with whom both have studied), and even John McLaughlin. This is an incredibly musical partnership, utilizing fluid ensemble lines and intelligent harmonies to showcase their amazing technical abilities. Theirs is a music with sweetness, soul, precision, and youthful energy.