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Evening Distractions lead to Oliver Wakeman and Steve Howe and some great jazz guitar!!

So I came home tonight from being outside all day doing a percolation test in Howell Township, all ready to write about the albums that I listened to on the way to, and from the site, and then……

I was researching the album Ravens & Lullabies from Gordon Giltrap and Oliver Wakeman. As part of the research, I went to Oliver’s page on Spotify and found a great album The 3 Ages of Magick- wait Oliver Wakeman and Steve Howe?? The light bulb goes off over the dim old man’s head…….and at AllMusic I read this about the album…… read more

The Safari goes up the NJ Turnpike to find Jazz Guitarist – Bob DeVos’ – Shadow Box

So this week on the JazzWeek Radio Chart ar No 30 is Bob DeVos and his current release Shadow Box. As usual the Safari asks the questions – Who is this Bob Devos, What does he play?? Where is he from?? Turns out the answer to the last question is, just northeast of me in Patterson, New Jersey! What and Who is Bob? Bob is as the title of his website reads a “Jazz Guitarist. His biography at Wikipedia says that his playing style is similar to the playing of Kenny Burrell and Wes Montgomery-( DeVos moves the ball to the 40 yard line) – and he is most noted for his work with organist Richard “Groove” Homes -( he’s over mid field and into the red zone)!!! In his biography below I read “Mr. DeVos has headed his own modern, powerhouse Bob DeVos Organ Trio with Dan Kostelnik on Hammond B3 organ and Steve Johns on drums.” read more

Today in Music – Dec 5, 1947 – Happy Birthday, Egberto Gismonti !!

Somewhere over the last several weeks I came across the name of Egberto Gismonti and even listened to his 1980 release Circense. From AllMusic guide….

This excellent release by Egberto Gismonti was conceived under the concept of a circus, an institution that has the ambivalent quality of being at the same time universal and regional; the “circense” tradition exists in almost all parts of the globe, but it is enriched by the smaller companies that keep struggling to survive in poorer setups, adding regional elements to the whole. It fits like a glove for the music of Gismonti, which also aims to enrich Brazilian musical tradition with elements of worldwide classical and popular acquisitions. More at MOG read more

Today in Music – November 28 – Happy Birthday Goh Kurosawa!

So I started this mornings birthday reviews at All About Jazz by looking for a younger jazz artists and one that caught my eye because of his name was Goh Kurosawa. I went to his page at All About Jazz where I read:

”It has been often said that to listen to Goh Kurosawa is to force oneself to abandon any notion of category or genre. While it is true that he flows effortlessly between flamenco, jazz, rock, samba and even classical, it should not be said that Goh has not firmly planted his flag in the fabled land of jazz. It should not be mistaken that he is not a jazz player…Continue Reading ” read more

Exploring the Music of Russell Malone – finding Dianne Reeves – together they perform “You’ve Got a Friend”

Ok so to honor Russell Malone on his birthday today, I said I would listen to his 2010 release Triple Play. But when I went to MOG, there was a 2013 release listed at the top of his discography, so I downloaded that and listened to it! It was great! I came home tonight and discovered that, the album I listened to was Playground which was actually released in 2004! I don’t know why it’s listed as 2013 unless it has been re-released??? The last song on Playground is Carol King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” a song that won both James Taylor and Carol Grammys! Now hearing Malone’s guitari instrumental version of the song was great, but earlier in the day I had watch portions of a video of a performance of the song with Russell playing guitar and Dianne Reeves providing the vocals. Now I didn’t know anything about Ms. Reeves, but I certainly want to find out more about her! What a wonderful voice, so rich, so soulful. Well I’ll just let you decide for yourselves as we go “into the morning” with the guitar of Russell Malone and the voice and soul of Dianne Reeves and the equally wonderful songwriting of Carole King (her Tapestry album is in my vinyl collection and millions of other people’s collections throughout the world ) read more

Today in Music – November 8, 1963 – Happy 50th Birthday Russell Malone!!

The first time I really heard the guitar of Russell Malone was one night a while back when I stumbled upon this video of Malone, Christian McBride and Benn Green performing Wes Montgomery;s “Jingles” and I was blown away by his talent!! (and McBride and Green’s talent too!!)

Anyway, today I get to say Happy Birthday to Mr Malone!

Russell Malone was born on this date in 1963 in Albany Georgia…and is

is an essentially self-taught[1] swing and bebop jazz guitarist. He began working with Jimmy Smith in 1988, and went on to work with Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall throughout the 1990s.[2] read more

Jazz Guitar from Graham Dechter – Takin’ It There

At number 48 on the Roots Music Report Jazz Chart this week sits the latest release from jazz guitarist, Graham Dechter, Takin’ It There. The first track on the album is titled “Road Song” Hum, could this be Wes Montgomery’s “Road Song”? After the first few notes, it was obvious that it was!! Here’s a bit about the Takin’ It There from AllMusic….

….Guitarist Graham Dechter’s follow-up to his strong debut recording is another fine effort, utilizing the same rhythm section, consisting of pianist Tamir Hendelman, bassist John Clayton, and drummer Jeff Hamilton. Unlike many young instrumentalists, Dechter isn’t one to overplay or sound like a clone of his favorite stylists, allowing the music to breathe and taking full advantage of his skilled supporting cast. Opening with a funky take of Wes Montgomery’s infrequently recorded “Road Song,” he then turns his attention to Barney Kessel’s obscure bluesy bop vehicle “Be Deedle Dee Do,” sharing the spotlight with Clayton in a tasty performance. Dechter’s breezy interpretation of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Chega de Saudade [No More Blues]” features his intricate solo….. read more

Today in Music – Oct 22, 1973 – Nick Andrew is born: Discovering Nick leads to a Music Filled Morning!!

When I looked down the list of musicians who were born on this day the first one that caught my eye had the same first name my first son – Nick, Then I looked at his last name and it’s my second son’s first name Andrew now I was really intrigued! A look at his instrument, the electric guitar sealed the deal ! I was going to check out Mr Nick Andrew. My first stop was his website, where I read…..

Nick is a remarkably accomplished guitarist who takes ‘Fusion’ to another level with his range encompassing the full spectrum from flamenco and classical to jazz and rock and is not only a dazzling soloist but also an intuitive and creative rhythm player whether on acoustic, electric or MIDI instruments. read more

Yesterday in Music – Oct 20, 1957 – Happy Birthday – Anouar Brahem!

The second name on today’s list of jazz musician birthdays at All About Jazz was Anouar Brahem. The thing that caught my attention about Anouar was the instrument he was holding an Oud! Time out let;s first explore the Oud before finding out about Mr Brahem. From Wikipedia:

The Oud is a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in Arabic, Hebrew/Jewish, Greek, Turkish, Byzantine, North African (Chaabi, Classical, and Andalusian),Somali and Middle Eastern music. Construction of the oud is similar to that of the lute.^[2] The modern oud and the European lute both descend from a common ancestor via diverging paths. The oud is readily distinguished by its lack offrets and smaller neck. It is considered an ancestor of the guitar.^[3] According to Farabi, the oud was invented by Lamech, the sixth grandson ofAdam. The legend tells that the grieving Lamech hung the body of his dead son from a tree. The first oud was inspired by the shape of his son’s bleached skeleton.^[7] The oldest pictorial record of a lute dates back to the Uruk period in SouthernMesopotamia (modern Nasiriyah city), over 5000 years ago on a cylinder seal acquired by Dr. Dominique Collon and currently housed at the British Museum.^[8] The Turkic peoples had a similar instrument called the kopuz. This instrument was thought to have magical powers and was brought to wars and used in military bands. This is noted in the Göktürk monument inscriptions, the military band was later used by other Turkic state’s armies and later by Europeans.^[9]According to musicologist Çinuçen Tanrıkorur today’s oud was derived from the kopuz by Turks near Central Asia and additional strings were added by them.^{[citation needed]} A plectrum called a risha is used to play the oud. Traditionally the risha were made of eagle feathers and tortoise or sea-turtle shell as well as cowhorn.^[10]Cowhorn rishas are commercially available today. The horns are sliced into strips and shaped, then sanded. Modern picks are also made of cellulose plastic. Those who prefer cowhorn rishas to plastic say they make a different quality of sound Read More read more

Today in Music – Oct 20, 1956 – British Jazz Guitarist Martin Taylor is born!

Among the jazz artists who are celebrating their birthdays today is guitarist Martin Taylor. Taylor was born on October 20, 1956 and is the son of bassist William ‘Buck’ Taylor. After listening to his father play the music of the Quintette du Hot Club de France, Martin became inspired by the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt. “Buck” set Martin’s career path early in his life, giving him his first guitar at the age of four, by the age of eight Martin was playing in his father’s band and at fifteen he quit school with the intent of becoming a professional musician. Boy has he done that and done it well!! Martin is best known for his solo fingerstyle performances, where he provides bass and chordal accompaniment as well as a melody. Throughout his career, Martin has played in groups, guitar ensembles and as an accompanist. He has recorded with musicians that are spread across many genres including: Stephane Grappelli, Jeff Beck, Chet Atkins, Bill Wyman, George Harrison, Dionne Warwick, Diane Schuur and Jamie Cullum. And those musicians can attest to his greatness…. read more

Category: Guitar