Memphis, Tennessee Guitar · Production · Songs · Teaching
Ori Naftaly.
I play guitar, write songs, produce records and teach. I co-founded Southern Avenue. I work with artists and guitar students in Memphis and online.
Selected recognition / Southern Avenue
recordings
winner
2017 debut
Keep On
Band awards and chart rankings are attributed to Southern Avenue. Ori’s individual Recording Academy profile lists two nominations.
01 Selected recordings
The records.
Five releases, different roles. These recordings document guitar, songwriting, co-production and production, with each contribution stated separately.
Full credits and listening room
Family
Guitar and co-writing. Produced by John Burk. GRAMMY-nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Listen to the album ↗
02 / 2021 · RENEW / BMGBe the Love You WantCo-produced with Steve Berlin · guitarListen ↗
03 / 2022 · COLOR REDThat's AllProduced by Ori Naftaly · guitarListen ↗
04 / 2019 · CONCORDKeep OnGuitar · GRAMMY-nominated · No. 5 Billboard Blues AlbumsListen ↗
05 / 2017 · STAXSouthern AvenueDebut album · guitar · No. 1 iTunes Blues · Blues Music Award winnerCredits and listening ↗
Artwork is original release artwork where available. Be the Love You Want is shown with tour artwork by choice.
02 Music production
From demo
to record.
I work from the song outward, whether a project starts with a rough demo or a plan to record.
I'm a Memphis music producer working with artists on pre-production, musical arrangements, creative direction and guitar for recording projects. My involvement depends on the music and the team already in place.
Production details and selected credits
Production credits are specific to these releases. The artwork for Be the Love You Want comes from the tour campaign.
03 Songwriting
Songs, riffs
and ideas.
I write and co-write songs, from the first riff or lyric to the arrangement. The work can start with a new idea or a song already in progress.
Songwriting and co-writing details
Selected songwriting credits
With Tierinii Jackson, Tikyra Jackson and Adam Hambrick · Family (2025).
With Tierinii Jackson, Tikyra Jackson, Dylan Altman and Marshall Altman · Family (2025).
Written by Ori Naftaly · Southern Avenue (2017).
04 Guitar lessons
Learn guitar.
Make music.
Private guitar lessons in Memphis and live online, for beginners, returning players and developing musicians.
Adults, children, and teenagers can work on acoustic or electric guitar, blues, soul, rock, rhythm, improvisation, songwriting, and their own musical goals. I bring experience from recording, touring with Southern Avenue, and teaching in Memphis classrooms.
Age-appropriate lessons, rhythm, chords and musical confidence.
First chords, returning to guitar, blues phrasing and improvisation.
Timing, listening and playing together, subject to group fit.
Songwriting, arranging, live performance and musical collaboration.
In-person lessons by arrangement across Memphis and nearby communities, including Bartlett, Cordova, Germantown, Collierville, Lakeland and Arlington. Live online sessions are available beyond Memphis.
Ask about 30-, 45-, or 60-minute lessons and scheduling. No payment or reservation is taken on the website.
05 On stage and in the studio
Guitar on
stage and
record.
I play electric and acoustic guitar for studio sessions, selected live performances and collaborative projects. Rhythm, feel, tone, space and listening to the other musicians matter more to me than filling every moment.
ORI NAFTALY / MEMPHIS06 About
Memphis
is home.
I moved to Memphis in 2013 to build a life around blues, soul and music.
I co-founded Southern Avenue. We've recorded albums, toured internationally and earned recognition together, including GRAMMY nominations and a Blues Music Award. That experience continues to shape the records I help make, the guitar parts I play and the way I teach.
I'm interested in good songs, strong musical relationships and the work of making something real with other people.
Read the full story and timeline ↗MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
07 Get in touch
Let's talk.
Tell me what you're making, playing or hoping to learn. I'll personally follow up. You can also write to naftalyblues@gmail.com.
For artists, producers and event organizers
Project inquiry
Recording, songwriting, session guitar, performances or workshops.
Having trouble sending? Email me directly.
For prospective students and parents
Lesson inquiry
Guitar lessons in the Memphis area or live online.
Having trouble sending? Email me directly.
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