At age 11, Ari Teitel was invited to sit in with Robert Randolph at the Michigan Theater. Before he even knew what was happening, a then 4-foot Teitel was hoisted up above Robert Randolph’s head while he wailed away on the guitar. Now 23, he hasn’t put down his instrument since.  

As an active professional guitarist and vocalist, Teitel leads a funk & soul band and organ trio alongside a full schedule as a sideman. A versatile musician hailing from Detroit, MI, he is skilled at playing jazz, rock, soul, R&B, funk, fusion, blues, gospel, country, and folk -- and he has the gigging experience to prove it. Teitel has played at legendary venues such as Kingston Mines in Chicago, IL, Antone's in Austin, TX, the Detroit International Jazz Festival, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival as well as frequent shows at The Maple Leaf and Tipitina's in New…