HJGS Newsletter 58 Jul16

7/25/2019 HJGS Newsletter 58 Jul16

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Huddersfield Jazz Guitar Society

Newsletter No. 58 June & July 2016

Contents

Page

1. Meeting Summary...2

2. Members News... 5

3. Swap an Idea.. ......6

4. Membership................ 7

5. Gig List........... 10

6. Reviews.... ...13

7. Of Interest... ..15

8. Tuition... 18

9. Sales/Wants/Trades.....20

10. Charts... .24

11. The lighter side of music......25

12. Services.... 26

13. 2016 Guitar Festival.27

Celebrating the art and craft of jazz guitar


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1. Meeting Summary

Hi Jazz Guitar Fans,

Well, the last couple of months have been very busy both preparing for the festival

and various gigging trips so, unusually this newsletter will combine the Mayand Junemeetings. This is also the last newsletter before the festival so it will also feature all

of the festival news and artist reviews in our dedicatedfestival section.

May 2016 Roundup

The meeting began promptly with a performance by Darren, Kathy Dyson and double bass player

Adrian. The trio began with All The Things You Are

followed by the lovely bossa How Insensitive.

After a brief substitution where Ben took Adrian's

place the trio played Just Friends. After taking solos

in the conventional way all three players then

preceded to scat sing fours laGeorge Benson.

Dave and Chris were next up. The usual duo paring

was augmented by the inclusion of Adrian on double

bass. They began with Night and Day, this contained

quite a chromatic solo from Dave which effectively

outlined the changes. Next was a swinging version of

the Dave Brubeck Classic In Your Own Sweet Way

with some strong playing from Adrian who drove the

tune and some nice soloing from all parties. The finaltune in the selection was Joy Spring, a tricky tune

well executed by the trio.
http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_7/HJGS%20Newsletter_58_Jun_Jul16.docx#GuitFesthttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_7/HJGS%20Newsletter_58_Jun_Jul16.docx#GuitFesthttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_7/HJGS%20Newsletter_58_Jun_Jul16.docx#GuitFesthttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_7/HJGS%20Newsletter_58_Jun_Jul16.docx#GuitFest


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June 2016 Round Up.

This month there were no committee members present due to three of them being in

The Hague and Martin was celebrating his first wedding anniversary. It was a rather quiet night

with only a handful of members in attendance, Dave Allen, Phil, Colin and Charles but it was

by all accounts a productive and fruitful evening with a lot of playing.

Here is an account kindly provided by Charles of what went on.

Colin, Dave and Phil began with the lovely ballad Laurafollowed by Jorduand How High The

Moon.

Charles then joined on bass and Phil switched to guitar for Spring is Here, Heres That Rainy

Day,Corcovadoand All The Things You Are. The evening was rounded off with Blue Bossa.

It all sounds like a lot of fun and many thanks to Dave and Charles for organizing the evening

and providing the opportunity for people to play.

Feb Wave-AC Jobim

Mar Take the A TrainEllington/Strayhorn

Apr There will Never Be Another You - Harry Warren

May How High The MoonMorgan Lewis

Jun Satin Doll- Ellington

Jul Out of Nowhere- Johnny GreenAug Bernies Tune- Bernie Miller

Sep Manha de Carnival- Luiz Bonfa

Oct Billies Bounce- Charlie Parker

Nov Dont Get Around Much Anymore- Ellington

Dec Rhythm-a-ning- Thelonious Monk

A copy of the real book changes will be included in theChartssection of the

newsletter.

A new menu item has been added to the newsletter item 13

2016 Guitar Festival. Here you find details and news of the

festival.

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2. Members News

Call for Membership Participation

We have had a few successful, I believe, examinations/investigations of

members favourite tunes. If you feel you could do a similar job please let me know.

Send an email to [email protected] chat to any of the committee at the

next meeting.

Remember the HJGSexists for the benefit(s) of its members, so we need to hear

from YOU: good, bad, indifferent, news, views, gossip, ideas, viewpoints, gigs, sales

wants, swaps etc,etc!

Please keep us informed of any jazz guitar related gigs, events, sales or other

item of interest, so that we can pass information on to other members. HJGSneeds to

develop its wider network as an important forum for jazz guitar related information and

information exchange, so that we may all benefit from the collective wisdom and

uncoordinated information that undoubtedly exists amongst fans and connoisseurs.

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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3. Swap an Idea

This column appears to be popular so we will keep it for the time being. But, and

this is an important butwe do NEED YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS for this to be successful.

Contributions please [email protected].

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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4. Membership

Some memberships are now falling due for renewal, remember membership lasts

for a full 12 months from the paid up month and the following benefits are only

available to current paid up members.

The following deals have been negotiated for members on production of a current

membership card: -

Bulldog Pickups (Huddersfield) www.bulldogpickups.com

15% off all pickups and repairs/rewinds.

ElectroMusic (Doncaster) www.electromusic.co.uk

Variable discount depending on the item(s) purchased.

The Music Room (Cleckheaton) www.the-music-room.com


Matt Ryan www.guitarrepairer.com

10% off guitar repairs/setups

Ampl ifierCoversOnl ine.com www.amplifiercoversonline.com

Customised Equipment Covers On Demand

Frailers www.frailers.com


Foulds Guitars - Derby www.fouldsmusic.co.uk


The Amp ShackContact Andrew Lazdins

Valve/Solid-State amp and Effect pedal repairs. Discount available.

Phone: +44 (0) 7716 460 163

Email:[email protected]

MicroVox www.westf.demon.co.uk

Acoustic instrument mics. 10% discount Phone: +44 (0) 1924 361550


Mac Amplification www.mac-amps.com

Amplifier + Pedal repairs Phone: 07716 860676Email:[email protected]

Mundo Music Gear www.mundomusicgear.co.uk

An ergonometric revolution for guitarists
http://www.bulldogpickups.com/http://www.bulldogpickups.com/http://www.electromusic.co.uk/http://www.electromusic.co.uk/http://www.the-music-room.com/http://www.the-music-room.com/http://www.guitarrepairer.com/http://www.guitarrepairer.com/http://www.amplifiercoversonline.com/http://www.frailers.com/http://www.frailers.com/http://www.fouldsmusic.co.uk/http://www.fouldsmusic.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.westf.demon.co.uk/http://www.westf.demon.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.mac-amps.com/http://www.mac-amps.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.mundomusicgear.co.uk/http://www.mundomusicgear.co.uk/http://www.mundomusicgear.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]://www.mac-amps.com/http://www.mac-amps.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.westf.demon.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]://www.fouldsmusic.co.uk/http://www.frailers.com/http://www.amplifiercoversonline.com/http://www.guitarrepairer.com/http://www.the-music-room.com/http://www.electromusic.co.uk/http://www.bulldogpickups.com/


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We are actively pursuing other supplier/retailers and will let you know as soon as we

confirm them. Remember also that we welcome your suggestions re the future

direction of HJGS. Please get in touch.

Committee

Martin Chung

Publicity, joint treasurer, website/facebook and development

Darren Dutson Bromley

Newsletter, education, website/facebook and development

Adrian Ingram

Education, international liaison and development

Ian Wroe

Host, joint treasurer, artiste relations, events and development

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meetings

The first Tuesday of the month at: -

The Rat & Ratchet, Huddersfield, 40 Chapel Hill, Huddersfield Road, HD1 3EB

http://www.ossett-brewery.co.uk/pubs/rat-and-ratchet-huddersfield

Remember the society needs YOUR views and input so, if you want to provide a

short introduction/discourse for a tune yourself or make any suggestions for a tune,

please speak to a committee member. We have already had some other interesting

ideas put forward which we are looking into. YOUR ideas are both vital and welcome.

It is YOUR society and the committee is there entirely on YOUR behalf. Please, pleaseget involved if you can!

2016 meetingsDetails may change

Jul 5th - Tune in Focus/Seminar / Players night

July 22to 24thHuddersfield Jazz Guitar Society Summer Festival

Aug 2nd - TBA

Sep 6th - Tune in Focus/Seminar / Players night

Oct 4th

- TBANov 1st - Tune in Focus/Seminar / Players night
http://www.ossett-brewery.co.uk/pubs/rat-and-ratchet-huddersfieldhttp://www.ossett-brewery.co.uk/pubs/rat-and-ratchet-huddersfieldhttp://www.ossett-brewery.co.uk/pubs/rat-and-ratchet-huddersfield


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Dec 6th` - AGM / Players night

Workshop/seminars

Please note that in order to ensure an effective combination of complete

workshop and some time for playing, these sessions will commence at8:30 on the

dot.

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5. Gig List July Got a Gig then let us know

Huddersfield Jazz Guitar Society - Jazz Guitar Fest ival, Rat & Ratchet

Fri 22nd Gypsy Jazz nightfeaturing Gary Potter + Remi Harris,

8:30pm

Sat 23rd Val Bonnetti & Cristiano Da Ros 1:00pm

Charlie Christian Centenary Celebration featuring AlanBarnes, Sam Dunn & Jamie Taylor and the Charlie Christian

Collective. 8:30 pm

Sun 24th Pat Sprakes 1:00pm

Soho Nights featuring Terry Smithwith Paul Baxter and

Paul Smith andAdrian Ingrams Cookbook. 8:30pm

Grove Jazz

The Jazz Dawgs host a regular monthly gig every 1st Sunday (4:00pm

7:00pm) at the Grove, Huddersfield.

The Dawgs feature different guest(s) each month interspersed with the

occasional jam session in which anyone can play, (please bear in mind, however,

that it is ajam session and not an open mic!).

The Grove is considered by many to be the best pub in the area, it certainlyhas the greatest variety of real ales! The roster so far is: -

Jun 12th Guest Jon Taylor (Jons birthday gig)

*************

The Railway, Stockport

Live Jazz every Sunday and Tuesday

74-76 Wellington Road North, Stockport SK4 1HF

Tel 0161 477 3680

9-11pmfree admission

Dear All here are the forthcoming July 2016 dates at the Railway ....plenty of

guitar interest this month (5th, 12th, 19th, 24th, 26th and 31st!)

Sun 3rd George King Trio


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Tues 5th Steve Oakes Band featuring Paul Kilvington

Sun 10th Freddie Garner Quartet

Tues 12th Paul Hartley Quartet featuring Suzanne Mott

Sun 17th Dean Masser Quartet

Tues 19th Uli Elbracht Quartet

Sun 24th Jonny Ford/Harry Maund Quintet

Tues 26th Paul Hartley Quartet featuring Mike Hope

Sun 31st Trefor Owen Trio

*************

Wakefield Jazz

Wakefield jazz have made an offer of a discount on their normal entry price, if

we can block book tickets. We believe the cut-off point is 10 tickets, whichreduces the entry cost to 10 (normally 14).

*************

*************

*************

*************


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From Dave Faulkner (the Cheadle jazz guitar club).

I wondered if anyone in the HJGS would be interested in my friend B.D.Lenz and his band who are on

tour in July. B.D is a very talented guitarist and features an excellent 3 piece band. His style is best described as

Jazz-Rock/Jazz-Funk but hes equally at home with standards such asSolarisas with jazz-rock material such as

John SchofieldsChank. He tends to vary what he does depending on the venue and audience (the latter video

link is to a recording my son made at Granvilles in Stone).

The 8thof July date he will be appearing with my own blues band The Vice Bishops at our regular venue in

Doveridge.

Wed 6 July Granvilles Brasserie + Music Bar- Stone

Thurs 7 July The Boycott ArmsClaverley, Wolverhampton

Fri 8 July Doveridge Village ClubDoveridge, Asbourne

Sat 9 July The LighthouseWalmer, Deal

Sun 10 July Jazz East at The AlexFelixstowe, Suffolk

Mon 11 July The Daffodil-Cheltenham

Tues 12 July The Wig and Pen, Northampton.

Wed 13 July Hawkes HouseThornbury, Bristol

Thurs 14 July Joe's Bar and GrillOxford

Fri 15 July The Pelican ClubNottingham

Sun 17 July Seven Jazz in Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7

Sun 17 July Blakey's Cafe BarNewcastle-Under-Lyme

Mon 18 July The Bell InnBath

Tues 19 July The Bustard InnSouth Rauceby, Lincolnshire

Wed 20 July Jazz After DarkLondon

Thurs 21 July Linden House Stansted

Fri 22 July The Navigation, Stoke Bruerne

Sat 23 July The Verdict Cafe & BarBrighton

Sun 24 July Summertown Wine CafeSummertown

Mon 25 July Clifford ArmsShaldon, South Devon

Wed 27 July

Theoc House

Tewkesbury

Thanks,

Dave

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mrLbAP3FBAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mrLbAP3FBAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mrLbAP3FBAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Knu44DAEUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Knu44DAEUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Knu44DAEUhttps://www.facebook.com/Granvilles.Brasserie/https://www.facebook.com/Granvilles.Brasserie/https://www.facebook.com/Granvilles.Brasserie/https://www.facebook.com/theboycottarms/https://www.facebook.com/theboycottarms/https://www.facebook.com/theboycottarms/https://www.facebook.com/DoveridgeVillageClub/https://www.facebook.com/DoveridgeVillageClub/https://www.facebook.com/DoveridgeVillageClub/https://www.facebook.com/thelighthousedeal/https://www.facebook.com/thelighthousedeal/https://www.facebook.com/thelighthousedeal/https://www.facebook.com/JazzEastAtTheAlex/https://www.facebook.com/JazzEastAtTheAlex/https://www.facebook.com/JazzEastAtTheAlex/https://www.facebook.com/thedaffodil/https://www.facebook.com/thedaffodil/https://www.facebook.com/thedaffodil/https://www.facebook.com/thewigandpennorthampton/https://www.facebook.com/thewigandpennorthampton/https://www.facebook.com/thewigandpennorthampton/https://www.facebook.com/HawkesHouseBar/https://www.facebook.com/HawkesHouseBar/https://www.facebook.com/HawkesHouseBar/https://www.facebook.com/Joes-Bar-and-Grill-150449131671887/https://www.facebook.com/Joes-Bar-and-Grill-150449131671887/https://www.facebook.com/Joes-Bar-and-Grill-150449131671887/https://www.facebook.com/ThePelicanClubNotts/https://www.facebook.com/ThePelicanClubNotts/https://www.facebook.com/ThePelicanClubNotts/https://www.facebook.com/sevenjazzleeds/https://www.facebook.com/sevenjazzleeds/https://www.facebook.com/sevenjazzleeds/https://www.facebook.com/blakeyscafebar/https://www.facebook.com/blakeyscafebar/https://www.facebook.com/blakeyscafebar/https://www.facebook.com/thebellinn/https://www.facebook.com/thebellinn/https://www.facebook.com/thebellinn/https://www.facebook.com/TheBustardInn/https://www.facebook.com/TheBustardInn/https://www.facebook.com/TheBustardInn/https://www.facebook.com/Jazz-After-Dark-560502123968014/https://www.facebook.com/Jazz-After-Dark-560502123968014/https://www.facebook.com/Jazz-After-Dark-560502123968014/https://www.facebook.com/LindenHouseStansted/https://www.facebook.com/LindenHouseStansted/https://www.facebook.com/LindenHouseStansted/https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Navigation-Stoke-Bruerne/148291798539883https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Navigation-Stoke-Bruerne/148291798539883https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Navigation-Stoke-Bruerne/148291798539883https://www.facebook.com/TheVerdictCafe/https://www.facebook.com/TheVerdictCafe/https://www.facebook.com/TheVerdictCafe/https://www.facebook.com/Summertown-Wine-Cafe-158971324115052/https://www.facebook.com/Summertown-Wine-Cafe-158971324115052/https://www.facebook.com/Summertown-Wine-Cafe-158971324115052/https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clifford-Arms/152699781420172https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clifford-Arms/152699781420172https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clifford-Arms/152699781420172https://www.facebook.com/theochouse/https://www.facebook.com/theochouse/https://www.facebook.com/theochouse/https://www.facebook.com/theochouse/https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clifford-Arms/152699781420172https://www.facebook.com/Summertown-Wine-Cafe-158971324115052/https://www.facebook.com/TheVerdictCafe/https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Navigation-Stoke-Bruerne/148291798539883https://www.facebook.com/LindenHouseStansted/https://www.facebook.com/Jazz-After-Dark-560502123968014/https://www.facebook.com/TheBustardInn/https://www.facebook.com/thebellinn/https://www.facebook.com/blakeyscafebar/https://www.facebook.com/sevenjazzleeds/https://www.facebook.com/ThePelicanClubNotts/https://www.facebook.com/Joes-Bar-and-Grill-150449131671887/https://www.facebook.com/HawkesHouseBar/https://www.facebook.com/thewigandpennorthampton/https://www.facebook.com/thedaffodil/https://www.facebook.com/JazzEastAtTheAlex/https://www.facebook.com/thelighthousedeal/https://www.facebook.com/DoveridgeVillageClub/https://www.facebook.com/theboycottarms/https://www.facebook.com/Granvilles.Brasserie/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Knu44DAEUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mrLbAP3FBA


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6. Reviews

THE TERRY SMITH TRIOTENDERLY(Actone ARCD 1002)

Terry Smith - guitar, Pete Whittakerorgan, Don Burrelldrums.

TERRY SMITH QUARTETTHE THIRD FLOOR RICHARD (Actone 1007)

Terry Smith - guitar, Alan Berrypiano, Val Mannix - bass, Don Burrelldrums.

Perhaps it is time for Terry Smith to receive the long

overdue recognition his huge talent deserves. For almost

30 years his reclusive, low-key, on-and-off presence on

the British jazz scene has kept him out of the public eye.

Like Tubby Hayes, those who remember him from the

1960s wax lyrical about his playing; amongst jazz

connoisseurs of the period he is still something of a jazz

guitar legend!

It is fitting, therefore, that drummer Don Burrell has

chosen to put Terry Smith firmly back in the spotlight

again, by recording, producing and releasing two fine CDs on his fledgling ACTONE label. Don

is also featured on both albums, providing excellent, sensitive support to Smiths lyrical guitar

playing.

Recorded four years apart, these recordings present Smith in two distinctly different

settings, the former in a 60s style organ trio and the latter in a, more conventional, piano

quartet. These instrumental groupings are, co-incidentally, the same as those featured on Wes

Mongomerys first two releases for Riverside. Wes was, of course, a pervasive force during

Smiths formative years and many a listener mistook his playing on the classic Fall Out LP for

that of his older and more famous American counterpart.

Octave playing has always been a strong feature of Smiths playing and, on the evidence

of these two ACTONE CDs remains so to this day. It is interesting to note the subtle changes

in tone and style over the years. Perhaps understandably, Smith now plays with less of a young

mans adrenalin fuelled groove, instead there is a maturity and melodic lyricism, born out ofwisdom and experience. And, on these discs there is a greater emphasis on standard tunes,

with rich and interesting chord progressions. Smiths life journey has taken him from the

largely pentatonic based grooves of Grant Green to the, more sophisticated and gentler

melodicism of Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass.

Smiths tone is also markedly different from his 60s period, not quite as dark and full,

yet equally as attractive and rather more acoustic. It certainly sounds as if he has dropped

down a few gauges in string weight. When I saw him in London, a few years back, he was using

a tiny 15 watt, Fender Pro Junior amplifier and this is the signature tone he produces on both


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ACTONE recordings. I also noted that he was using a thumb pick on his right hand first finger,

rather than the heavy ivory picks he used to lovingly fashion from defunct or broken piano

keys!

There is little to choose between Smiths playing on these two CDs. The earliest,

Tenderly, is an organ trio featuring nine tracks, six well-known standards, two jazz standards

and an original, Smith penned, blues.

Third Floor Richard, is a more recent, live, recording

containing twelve tracks. With the exception of pianist

Alan Berrys tune Minor Mode, all selections are either

classic jazz standards such as Tune UP, Ladybirdand Up

Jumped Springor popular standards like, I Fall In Love Too

Easy, You Go To My Head and When Sunny Gets Blue.

Unless you have a particular dislike for the organ trio, an

acquired taste for some, I suggest that you purchase both.

There is so little recorded material available by this great

player that it is absolutely essential to get these CDs while you can!

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7. Of Interest

Found anything on the web or heard of something which may interest our members, then

this is the place for it.

Other Jazz Guitar Clubs/Societies

(We are 1 of on ly 4 jazz guitar soc ieties in England)

Here are a few links: -

http://cheadlejazzguitarclub.wordpress.com/

http://www.southjazzguitar.org

http://www.treforowen.com/index.php?id=38

http://www.meetup.com/LondonJazzGuitarSociety/

http://members.iinet.net.au/~jgswa/index.htm Jazz Guitar Society of Western

AustraliaThe Wirral Jazz Guitar Society.

Sadly, we have received new from Robin Thomas that the Wirral Jazz Guitar Society is no

more. Thanks go to Robin for at least trying to further our mutual cause.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Web Sites

www.mambo-amp.co.uk

www.adrianingram.com

www.jazzdawgs.co.uk

http://jazzguitarscene.wordpress.com/

http://www.joefinn.net/html/jazz_guitar_almanac.html

http://jamieholroydguitar.com

http://www.darrendutsonbromley.comCheck out Darrens pod casts

www.jazzonthetube.com
http://cheadlejazzguitarclub.wordpress.com/http://cheadlejazzguitarclub.wordpress.com/http://www.southjazzguitar.org/http://www.southjazzguitar.org/http://www.treforowen.com/index.php?id=38http://www.treforowen.com/index.php?id=38http://www.meetup.com/LondonJazzGuitarSociety/http://www.mambo-amp.co.uk/http://www.adrianingram.com/http://www.adrianingram.com/http://www.jazzdawgs.co.uk/http://www.jazzdawgs.co.uk/http://jazzguitarscene.wordpress.com/http://jazzguitarscene.wordpress.com/http://www.joefinn.net/html/jazz_guitar_almanac.htmlhttp://www.joefinn.net/html/jazz_guitar_almanac.htmlhttp://jamieholroydguitar.com/http://jamieholroydguitar.com/http://www.darrendutsonbromley.com/http://www.darrendutsonbromley.com/http://www.jazzonthetube.com/http://www.jazzonthetube.com/http://www.jazzonthetube.com/http://www.darrendutsonbromley.com/http://jamieholroydguitar.com/http://www.joefinn.net/html/jazz_guitar_almanac.htmlhttp://jazzguitarscene.wordpress.com/http://www.jazzdawgs.co.uk/http://www.adrianingram.com/http://www.mambo-amp.co.uk/http://www.meetup.com/LondonJazzGuitarSociety/http://www.treforowen.com/index.php?id=38http://www.southjazzguitar.org/http://cheadlejazzguitarclub.wordpress.com/


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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of messages from Branco Stoysin

Hello HJGS crew and Sunny greetings,

Trust all is well and that you're ready for the Spring...Wonder if you've got my NEWS email sent

earlier and if you could mention my new music book (with included album) in your nextnewsletter and what and Who this release celebrates. No Tesla no jazz guitar, nowhere to plug

our beloved amps too, no...no...no...

BIG NEWS:ALONE, the new music book, with included the ultimate solo-guitar acclaimed

album, by Branco Stoysin, is out now. Here's the promo-video, please watch in full, 3:23 of

concise enlightenment (and you'll hear almost entire track Aurora Tesla from the album). The

link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR3ewqz-8Pk

The book is dedicated to Nikola Tesla, marking 160 years since the birth of Tesla and 120 years

since the birth of modern civilization, The Niagara Falls and harnessing of Teslas AC Polyphase

System, the sole event that propelled the world to where it is today. A segment from the book:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR3ewqz-8Pkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR3ewqz-8Pkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR3ewqz-8Pk


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Every pylon everywhere in the world carries Teslas blood, the electricity, to lighten your

existence. Tesla made all the rolling world around us possible yet largely remains unknown and

denied, and knowledge about Him forbidden! This is inhumane.

To purchase the book (CD album included), the link:

http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/apps/webstore/products/show/6776447

Tribute page on Nikola Tesla, the link:

http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/nikolateslageniusofelectricity.htm

CONCERT:I will be promoting my new music book with a solo-guitar concert titled From Serbia

With Love (not a part of James Bond series :>), at prestigious Dillington Classical Guitar

Festival, in beautiful Somerset, on the 4th of August, joined by the festival director Peter Rueffer

on two tunes at the end, and the following day will also perform my So Lovely tune, written for

8 guitars, with whole classical guitar orchestra. The link:

http://www.dillington.com/events/concerts/8/the-22nd-dillington-classical-guitar-festival/813/

If you wish to find out more about this very special music book release/project please read this

press release, it's an interesting read, the link:

http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/ALONE_book_PRESS_RELEASE.pdf

My Jazz Guitar 3 classes at one-and-only City Lit started 17th April, Sunday's at 11 am,

2hours lessons,

http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/jazz-guitar-3/me714-1516

Thank You.

Bestest wishes.

Branco Stoysin"A musical journey to warm the soul"Sarah Ward, Jazz FM.

Sun Recordings, London.http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk for CDs, DVDs, Music Books and

much more.

Discography & Audio clips:

http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/discographyaudioclips.htm

Live shows on You Tube (numerous choice, solo-guitar, trio, Radio interviews etc.):

http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/hearuslivevideos.htm

The new music book "ALONE" marks 160 years since the birth of Nikola Tesla

and 120 years since the birth of modern civilisation.

Video for the "ALONE" new music book:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR3ewqz-8Pk

Video for the album "ALONE":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bf5Zfz07iU&list=UUvR6hNC-zLhdYG-tbsLthsQ

Video for the "Lily of the Valley" music book:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXJSdFsQuO4&list=UUvR6hNC-zLhdYG-tbsLthsQ

Video for the art photography slide show portfolio (watch while you listen to a full solo

guitar track, a real treat!):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBQQpII9_a0

Branco's art photography:
http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/apps/webstore/products/show/6776447http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/apps/webstore/products/show/6776447http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/nikolateslageniusofelectricity.htmhttp://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/nikolateslageniusofelectricity.htmhttp://www.dillington.com/events/concerts/8/the-22nd-dillington-classical-guitar-festival/813/http://www.dillington.com/events/concerts/8/the-22nd-dillington-classical-guitar-festival/813/http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/ALONE_book_PRESS_RELEASE.pdfhttp://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/ALONE_book_PRESS_RELEASE.pdfhttp://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/jazz-guitar-3/me714-1516http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/jazz-guitar-3/me714-1516http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/discographyaudioclips.htmhttp://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/discographyaudioclips.htmhttp://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/hearuslivevideos.htmhttp://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/hearuslivevideos.htmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR3ewqz-8Pkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR3ewqz-8Pkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bf5Zfz07iU&list=UUvR6hNC-zLhdYG-tbsLthsQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bf5Zfz07iU&list=UUvR6hNC-zLhdYG-tbsLthsQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXJSdFsQuO4&list=UUvR6hNC-zLhdYG-tbsLthsQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXJSdFsQuO4&list=UUvR6hNC-zLhdYG-tbsLthsQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBQQpII9_a0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBQQpII9_a0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBQQpII9_a0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXJSdFsQuO4&list=UUvR6hNC-zLhdYG-tbsLthsQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bf5Zfz07iU&list=UUvR6hNC-zLhdYG-tbsLthsQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR3ewqz-8Pkhttp://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/hearuslivevideos.htmhttp://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/discographyaudioclips.htmhttp://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/jazz-guitar-3/me714-1516http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/ALONE_book_PRESS_RELEASE.pdfhttp://www.dillington.com/events/concerts/8/the-22nd-dillington-classical-guitar-festival/813/http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/nikolateslageniusofelectricity.htmhttp://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/apps/webstore/products/show/6776447


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http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/artgalleryphotographs.htm

Here's a Special offer/Competition (please forward to those who may be interested):

To celebrate 160 years since the birth of Nikola Tesla and 120 years since the birth of modern

civilisation (The Niagara Falls and harnessing of Tesla's AC Polyphase System, the sole vent that

prpelled the world to where it's today) Branco Stoysin's Sun Recordings label offer a free CD of

your choice, from our discography, with every purchased music book "ALONE" (with included CD

album "Alone") dedicated to Tesla. All you need to do is to name the 6 appliances/things, all made

possible by Tesla, which sounds you can hear in the promo video for the book, and write them in

the box provided when ordering the book (with the title of your choice of a free CD) or sent us an

email with these details. To watch the video for the book the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR3ewqz-8Pk

To purchase the book (CD album "Alone" included) link:

http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/apps/webstore/products/show/6776447

Cheers.

Branco

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back to Contents
http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/artgalleryphotographs.htmhttp://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/artgalleryphotographs.htmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR3ewqz-8Pkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR3ewqz-8Pkhttp://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/apps/webstore/products/show/6776447http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/apps/webstore/products/show/6776447http://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/apps/webstore/products/show/6776447https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR3ewqz-8Pkhttp://www.brancostoysin.co.uk/artgalleryphotographs.htm


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8. Tuition

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Registry of Guitar Tutors (RGT) Jazz Guitar Diplomas

http://www.rgt.org/exams/jazz-guitar-performance-diploma.php

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Members of the HJGS might be interested in my Mike's Master Classes site

www.mikesmasterclasses.com

- also on FB and I have a Youtube channel "mgellar" that has clips from all of the classes

on there that are available for download.

A message from Jamie Taylor

I have a number of teaching products on sale atwww.mikesmasterclasses.com

which might be of some interest to the members. Anyone who subscribes to Mikes

site receives my Rhythm Changes class for free (about 90 mins worth, plus PDF

booklet) with no obligation to buy anything, and Im always very happy to answer any

queries that arise for people off the back of any of these products.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back to Contents
http://www.rgt.org/exams/jazz-guitar-performance-diploma.phphttp://www.rgt.org/exams/jazz-guitar-performance-diploma.phphttp://www.mikesmasterclasses.com/http://www.mikesmasterclasses.com/http://www.mikesmasterclasses.com/http://www.mikesmasterclasses.com/http://www.mikesmasterclasses.com/http://www.mikesmasterclasses.com/http://www.mikesmasterclasses.com/http://www.rgt.org/exams/jazz-guitar-performance-diploma.php


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9. Sales

Please let me know as soon as items are sold to remove them from the list.

An important message to all contributors to the sales column.

Modern digital cameras take high ly detailed pictures. This detail comes at a cost , namely huge file size.

If this newsletter becomes too big (approximately 6-7 Mb), some email services, particularly academic

inst itutions and businesses, will not deliver it.

If you want to include a picture of the sale item, or indeed item in our swap a lick co lumn, then the pictures

need to be reduced in file size, preferably no more than 100KB per pictu re.

Hints. Try searching for optimis ing images for the webfor help on this.

Crop the image view to show just the item.

I, unfortunately, dont have the time to spend optimising images for the newsletter. If they are too big

they risk getting left out .

Ian

Many guitars have been sold through our monthly sales listings. If an item

is sold, as a direct consequence of an ad being seen in the newsletter, we,

the committee, would be pleased to receive a small contribution to HJGS

funds.

In order to keep the content fresh, we have decided that all ads will run for

THREE editions and wi ll be deleted unless specifically resent.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July16

Eastman AR810CE

Carved solid spruce top, carved solid maple back and sides with Ebony

bridge, tailpiece, pickguard and fretboard. Classic Venetian cutaway,

floating pickup design. 1000 ONO

Joel Felleck 07990 649814


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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ May16

1961 Guild X-500 archtop, with original case

Something of a rarity, this - pure Moonlight In Vermontera Johnny Smith

or, if your prefer, "Cookbook/Uptown"-era George Benson. The serial

number and the DeArmond pickups would indicate that it was made in

1961. Based on appearance, the finish may not be as old as the guitar itself,

but someone has made a lovely job of this at some stage nevertheless. The

hardware and case are all original, and it has a pair of DeArmond singlecoils, which sound a bit like P-90s and are generally considered to be the

best of the various pickups Guild fitted in this era. I will sell it with its

original Gretsch-made Melita bridge, although the one currently fitted is

a rather more practical Tune-O-Matic design. Im loathe to put the Melita

bridge back on because whilst that may be the original, the guitar actually

plays much better with the replacement. Indeed, it really is a players

guitar, with a lovely consistent sound and low action; a vintage instrument

that just asks to be played and gigged. For a guitar of its age, its in very

good condition, with just a couple of little dings. Its main blemish is actually

a birth-defect, I think - there are some splash marks beneath the lacquer

on the top, which are more visible in some lights than others - have a look

at the photos in the Dropbox link below. The frets have just been dressed

and the electrics thoroughly checked out and cleaned up.

Price: 1600 with original hard case.

Ive attached a couple of pics here: -

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ll887la49k7o08h/AABIuTDWsEAsvsBOU21rhWU1a?dl=0

Contact Jamie Taylor


Mobile: 07787 194140.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May16

Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin

Cognac Burst

Has Gibson P90 installed (original Godin P90 included)

Has a padded carry bag
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ll887la49k7o08h/AABIuTDWsEAsvsBOU21rhWU1a?dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ll887la49k7o08h/AABIuTDWsEAsvsBOU21rhWU1a?dl=0mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.dropbox.com/sh/ll887la49k7o08h/AABIuTDWsEAsvsBOU21rhWU1a?dl=0


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Altamira M01 Gypsy Jazz Oval hole

fitted with internal factory-fitted microphone system

includes hard case

Both guitars are immaculate - as good as new.

Contact

Larry Van Kriedt

www.jazzbacks.com

www.soulbacks.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr16

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A message from Roy Sainsbury

Brian Jones, my guitar student and good friend has these guitars available for hire at an

absurdly low rate, i.e. from 35 per month. I am hiring a 1959 Gibson L4c from him at

present.

Here is a list of guitars currently available to your members-
http://www.jazzbacks.com/http://www.jazzbacks.com/http://www.soulbacks.com/http://www.soulbacks.com/http://www.soulbacks.com/http://www.jazzbacks.com/


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Gibson es 175 with P90, c1953

Epiphone Triumph with DeArmond 1000

Ibanez Howard Roberts, c 1978

Epiphone Riviera

Knight Arena, Small archtop

Knight 16" archtop

Schwartz 18"

Eastman AR403

Gibson lap steel with Charlie Christian pickup

Rialto, Beautiful British hand carved archtop with Rialto single coil floating pickup

Vintage Ibanez Joe Pass JP20

Knight JSS 16"

Guild A300, like Artist Award, with DeArmond1100

Moondog Grand Auditorium, Superb Flat Top, built in pickup

Call Roy Sainsbury, 01902 845246 or 07866 430826 to arrange to visit Brian in Codsall, WV8,

to try a selection of instruments at your leisure.

These guitars are also for sale in addition to being available for rental

Heres a message fromDan at Foulds Guitars

I'm running short of jazz guitars again! I've still got a bigger stock than most but decent

jazzers between 300 and 1500 I'm selling everything I get so if you have any

members that would like to move any unwanted guitars on we may be able to help. Of

course I am happy to offer a deal on goods for members, they just need to mention

when enquiring.

Trades

Wants

1. Polytone amps bought/sold/traded2. Musicman RD50 110 and RD50 112 amps wanted

If you have of know the whereabouts of any of the above please contact Adrian Ingram

01484 314529 or [email protected]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back to Contents
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


24/41

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10. Charts

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back to Contents


25/41

25

11. The lighter side of Music

After all of the sweat and tears of practising/playing/hunting gigs we thought a

little humour may not come amiss. If you come across any joke, bon mot, cartoon,

story etc. which tickled your funny bone, then please send it in and share. Here are

this months offerings: -

*****************

In the 18thCentury the Viola player was the butt of musical jokes since viola

players were considered to come from the ranks of failed violinists hence: -

Q. How can you tell if the viola is out of tune?

A. The bow is moving!

Q. What is the difference between a dog and a viola player?

A. The dog can stop scratching!

*****************

Send us yours!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back to Contents


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12. Services

The Amp Shack

The Professional Tone Breakdown Service

Ph: +44 (0) 7716 460 163


*****************

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back to Contents

For all amp (valve and solid state) and effect

pedal repairs.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Gypsy Jazz Night

Concert 14 8:30 Remi Harris +

(HJGSmembers 11) Gary Potterwith

Paul Baxter (dbl bass)

13. 2016 Guitar Festival

This year we have added a day. The Festival starts on Friday evening with

what we hope will be an explosive gypsy jazz night.

Program July 2016

Friday 22nd


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As you will see, i f you have followed the posts over the last couple of

newsletters, Louis Stewart is no longer playing at the festival.

Unfortunately, he is very ill and doesnt think he will be back to full health

in time. We all send him our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

As last year, there will be performances throughout Saturday and Sunday

inside (and outside, weather permitting) with workshops running on both

Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Tickets


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Tickets for the individual evening events are shown above. We are

looking at the possibility of discounted prices for weekend passes and will give

more information in the next newsletter.

Hotels

We have been asked about Hotels/B&Bs and we will try and compile a

list for the next newsletter, this wont be a list of recommendations, simply a list

drawn from search queries based on the pubs location. Alternatively, run yourown favourite search website using the pubs postcode - HD1 3EB.

Workshops

We have been asked about skill levels associated with the workshops,

based on last years comments, everyone got something out of them regardless

of ability.

Raffle

Once again we are holding a fabulous raffle. You could win a

GUITAR


30/41

30

Charlie Christian

In anticipation for the Charlie Christian

celebration at our up and coming guitar

festival here is a short article about the

great man.

For many players Charlie Christian wastheir first influence, the reason they play

jazz guitar. Amazing considering how

short a period Christian was around, he

died at the age of 25 and was essentially

in the limelight for only three years.

Reading interviews with Wes

Montgomery, Barney Kessel, Oscar

Moore and Herb Ellis, they all talk about

the influence of Christian and learningfrom his recordings. Herb Ellis even made

an album called Thank You, Charlie

Christian. Barney Kessel and Charlie

Christian were both from Oklahoma and

in 1940 when Kessel was just 16 he got to jam with the great man. Barneys fond recollections of the

meeting included the advice given to him by Christian.

Charlie told me many things that day, such as the importance of swing when playing jazz. He said

it was important to get some fire going, get an emotion. No matter what else you do, get that

feeling.

Wes Montgomery started learning the six-string guitar at the relatively late age of 20 by listening to and learning the

recordings of Charlie Christian. He was known for his ability to play Christian's solos note for note and was hired by Lionel

Hampton for this ability.

As a guitarist learning in the late 70sand 80sI learned of Charlie Christian second hand after discovering Barney Kessel

and Joe Pass. Recordings of Christian at the time were difficult to come by and I got hold of an album called SoloFlight,

The Genius of Charlie ChristianThis contained most of Christiansfamous recordings from Benny Goodmansband with a

few of the solosspliced together from different takes to make them more substantial. Christiansrecorded output is limitedto mostly the Goodman band apart from Liveat Mintonsa very telling album released in the 1990sand is essentially jam

sessions at the legendary Mintonsjazz club in Harlem. The personal on this album read like a whoswho of bebop including

Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Clarke and Thelonious Monk.

One of the most interesting things about Christian is he was a fully formed electric guitarist and soloist. That isntan unusual

thing today but back then Christian was at the forefront of electric guitar development. The first players to move onto the

electric guitar were acoustic guitarists and banjo players and generally they sound like amplified acoustic guitarists.

Christiansplaying sounded more like a saxophone with flowing lines and an acutely modern harmonic outlook to music.

He cited Lester Young as one of his big influences.


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Christian gained national exposure with Benny Goodmansband. Goodman at the time was the king of swing, running one

of the most successful bands of the late 1930sand 40s.How Charlie arrived in Bennysband is quite a well-known story.

The promoter John Hammond having

discovered Christian in Oklahoma

discussed him with Goodman.

Goodman wasnt interested as the

electric guitar was a relatively new

instrument but Hammond brought

him to Los Angeles anyway. Unknown

to Goodman, Hammond installed

Christian on the bandstand for that

night's set at the Victor Hugo

restaurant. Displeased at the surprise

and giving Hammond the legendary

Goodman stare, Goodman called Rose

Room, a tune he assumed Christian

would be unfamiliar with. Christian

took about twenty choruses, all of

them different, all unlike anything

Goodman had heard before. That

version of Rose Room lasted forty

minutes. By its end, Christian was in

the band. In the course of a few days,

Christian went from making $2.50 a night to $150 a week.

Christian was very influential in the development of bebop and would play frequently after shows with the Goodman band

at Minton's where he had a guitar and amp stored. The influence he had on "Dizzy" Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Thelonious

Monk and Don Byas can be heard on their early "bop" recordings "Blue'n Boogie" and "Salt Peanuts". Other musicians, such

as trumpeter Miles Davis, cite Christian as an early influence. Indeed, Christian's "new" sound influenced jazz as a whole.

He reigned supreme in the jazz guitar polls up to two years after his death.

In the late 1930s Christian had contracted tuberculosis and in early 1940 was hospitalised for a short period when the

Goodman group was on hiatus due to Benny's back trouble. Christian returned home to Oklahoma City, in late July 1940

before returning to New York City in September 1940. In early 1941, Christian resumed his hectic lifestyle, heading to

Harlem for late-night jam sessions after finishing gigs with the Goodman Sextet and Orchestra. In June 1941 he was

admitted to Seaview, a sanitarium on Staten Island in New York City. He was reported to be making progress, and Down

Beatmagazine reported in February 1942 that he and Cootie Williams were starting a band.

After a visit that same month to the hospital by tap dancer and drummer Marion Joseph "Taps" Miller, Christian declined

in health and died March 2, 1942. He was 25 years old. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Bonham, Texas, and a Texas

State Historical Commission Marker and headstone were placed in Gates Hill Cemetery in 1994. The location of the

historical marker and headstone has been disputed.


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Charlie ChristiansGuitar and Amp.

Charlie Christian played a Gibson ES150guitar. The ES150 was the first electric guitar that had commercial

success.

The Gibson ES150 was introduced in 1936 and was an enormous success in the jazz bands of that time

because it produced enough volume to be heard.

Kinds of wood used in the production of the Gibson ES150:

Archtop: solid spruce

Back and sides: solid maple

Neck: mahogany

Fretboard: rosewood

The ES150 has a single-coil pickup in neck

position that is known as the "Charlie

Christian Pickup.

The Gibson EH150 guitar amp came into

existence before the Gibson ES150 (it was used for lap-

steel guitars). The EH150 has a 10" speaker (later a 12") producing

15W. It has 1 microphone input, 3 instrument inputs, volume controls,

a bass-tone expander and an "Echo" speaker jack.

Charlie Christiansplaying style.

Charliespicking technique seemed to be predominantly down strokes and he advocated this as a means

to achieve swing in the music. His melodic lines consisted mostly of 8th notes and while he didnthave the

technical dazzle of players such as Django he did have an advanced harmonic outlook and at times played some

very chromatic lines. It is understandable how he influenced the development of bebop. Ivechosen an excerpt

of a solo from the Goodman tune BreakfastFeudThis was recorded in December 1940 and is based around a

head arrangement with solos. Harmonically the piece is very simple and the solos are based on a blues

progression. This was one of the first Christian solos I learned and while at the time I had a lot of fun playing it,

it wasntuntil much later that I realised how melodically advanced this solo is. Christiansuse of chromaticismis extensive, check out the G diminished arpeggio superimposed over the F7 chord which resolves chromatically

down to the F root. The use of moving into chord tones via chromatic approach notes is one of the techniques

used by players such as Charlie Parker.


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Breakfast Feud (2nd half of solo)

Quotes from other players about Charlie Christian

Wes Montgomery(Guitar Player '73)

How did you get interested in the guitar: Charlie Christian, like all other guitar players. There was no way out. That cat

tore everybody's head up. I never saw him in my life, but he said so much on records. I don't care what instrument a cat

played, if he didn't understand and feel the things that Charlie Christian was doing, he was a pretty poor musician.

"Solo Flight" - boy that was too much! I still hear it. He was IT for me. I didn't hear anybody else after that for about a

year. I listened to (Charlie Christian's records) real good, and I knew that everything done on his guitar could be done on

mine. About six or eight months after I started playing I had taken all the solos off the records and got a job in a club just

playing them. I'd play Charlie Christian's solos then lay out.

Joe Pass(Down Beat)

I first heard Charlie Christian in about 1942 - on record - I never did hear him live. His sound was just great. How, with a

little amplifier without any gimmicks or anything, he gets that sound! Today we have all this equipment, all special kinds

of pickups and amplifiers.....and still can't get that sound! I think it has to do with the person that's playing, probably.

Joe Pass(Melody Maker April 1974)

I think there are three guitarists who left an impression on the Guitar: Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian and Wes

Montgomery.

Tal Farlow (BMG Dec 1959)


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I was curious to know how he (Charlie Christian) achieved such a full, firm swinging sound - and I still am - so I began

learning those choruses note for note. Charlie's playing was so strong and clean that memorising the notes was not so

difficult so I just had to work out the fingerings for the phrases.

Tal Farlow (Down Beat 1969)

Christian made music important to me. I rearranged the schedule at my shop so I could work nights and listen to band

remotes (broadcasts)....Christian was the one who got me going. I bought all the Goodman/Christian recordings and

memorised Charlie's choruses, playing them on a second hand $14 guitar and $20 amplifier.

Russell Malone(Down Beat July '99):

When I was younger, it took me a little longer to track down Charlie Christian. I came to him through listening to

guitarists such as Barney Kessel, Tal Farlow and Herb Ellis. I first heard Charlie on a Benny Goodman record. I liked him

immediately. His playing really got to me.........

No one swung like Charlie Christian. It's safe to say that he was one of the founders of the bebop movement. You listen

to what he was playing back then on an album like Live Sessions at Mintons Playhouse, and you hear it still being played

today.....

You've got to check out his solo on Stompin' At The Savoy What drive, what swing! He had a great sense of time and

every note had definition, thanks in large part to the fact that he used all down strokes.......Charlie's influence is

everywhere!

Roy Clark(Guitar Player June '70)

I was working in Oklahaoma City, where Charlie lived. A guy called Benny Garcia had acquired Charlie's guitar.........He

brought to me one night to play. The guitar had that filed bar pickup on it and there was a big bubble in the back of the

body. But I could just FEEL the vibrations in that guitar, like Charlie's music was still in it somewhere. It was a beautiful

instrument. I'll never forget that feeling....of playing Charlie Christian's own guitar.

Barney Kessel (Guitar Player Oct '70)

I had the fortune to work with Charlie Christian and he was more aggressive, forceful and louder than I was. I said to him:

"You play loud" - not as a criticism or anything. He said: "I like to hear myself!"

Charlie played probably 95% down strokes, and held a very stiff, big triangular pick very tightly between his thumb and

first finger. He rested his 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers on the pick-guard. He anchored them there so tensely that it was likethere almost wasn't a break in the joint. He almost never used the 4th finger of his left hand.

B B King(Guitar Player March '75)

Charlie Christian was amazing. I first heard him around '41 or'42. There were 10 cent vending machines then, just like

juke boxes but with pictures......and that's how I saw Charlie Christian I was still in Indianola Mississippi at the time. To

me, he was a master of diminished chords. A master at new ideas too. Barney Kessel plays a lot like him but with ideas

that are more of today. Charlie didn't fluff notes much...he was so sure.

Mary Osborne(Guitar Player Feb '74)

...some musicians told me to drop by a place called The Dome to hear this guitarist who was working with the Al Trent

Sextet which was passing through town (Bismark, North Dakota). The man was Charlie Christian. It was the most startling

thing I had ever heard. I had listened to all the jazz guitarists of the time.... but they all played acoustic. And here was

Charlie Christian playing Django's "St. Louis Blues" note for note, but with an electric guitar. I'll never forget that day.

Darren Dutson Bromley


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The 10 most popular jazz guitars of all time

Adrian Ingram

Number 4: The 1936 1940 Gibson ES150

It could be said that the 1936-1940 ES150 is THE

most important jazz guitar of all time. It is easily as pivotal

to the development and growth of electric jazz guitar

playing as the various, Reinhardt associated, Selmers and

Maccaferris were to the Gypsy Jazz style. Just as Django

Reinhardt inspires thousands of players to adopt his choice

of instrument, one player, Charlie Christian, did the same

for the late 30s ES150!

Charlie Christian is undoubtedly the father of

modern jazz guitarand throughout his brief, but stellar,career he almost exclusively played the ES150 and the

more elaborate (and more expensive) ES250. Most

importantly, and extremely influential, was the guitarsprincipal feature, the clumsy, heavy

and frankly quite Heath Robinson pickup unit. However, these heavy, crude, units, with their

oversized magnets and primitive method of installation, sounded absolutely wonderful: thick,

fat, full, throaty, warm articulate and delicately responsive. Many players still feel that this

pickup, generally called either the bar-magnet pickup or, in deference to its first great

proponent, the Charlie Christian, has yet to be improved upon. Consequently, the pickup hasbecome as influential and important in the history of electric jazz guitar as the ES150 guitar in

itself. This is immediately evident from the sheer number of players in favour of the later stock

pickup units. There you have it, it wasntDiMarzio and Seymour Duncan that created the trend

for swapping out pickups but Charlie Christian back in the late 30s!! Notable players to adopt

the pickups were Barney Kessel, Tal Farlow, Kenny Burrell, Hank Garland, Les Spann, Oscar

Moore, Mundell Lowe, Barry Galbraith, et al. Players who adopted the actual ES150 guitar for

a substantial time period included: Jimmy Raney, Jimmy Gourley, Ronnie Singer, Rene Thomas

and Dennis Budimir. Literally dozens of others started out with 150s and later traded up to

higher-end L5s and Super 400s or, for easier access to the upper positions, cutaway models

such as the L5 and Super 400 CES, ES300s, 350s and the extremely popular ES175 which,

incidentally, was available for a limited period (1979) with a Charlie Christian pickup.

The ES150 itself was quite a basic instrument with dot markers, nickel hardware and

simple binding. It did, however, have a carved, solid timber, top which added considerably to

the tone. It carried two controls, tone and volume and the jack-socket was situated at the

bottom of the guitar (just below the basic, trapeze style, tailpiece. It was small bodied (16

lower bout) and had the softer 24 scale length, used later on Les Pauls, 335s etc., all of whichmade the ES150 a very comfortable guitar to play.


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The ES150 was not made in huge numbers as it was something of a pioneering venture.

I have owned several and seen several more over the years, I also know a few players that

currently own them. The sleeve notes on Rene Thomas fantastic album Guitar Groove

(Jazzland OJCCD 1725-2) suggest that there are no more than 4 in existence which is obviously,

as evidence suggests, incorrect. They are, however extremely rare and when asked, dealers

(those savvy enough to know what a Charlie Christian ES150 is) are likely to retort rareas

chicken lips,rareas hensteeth,rareas rocking horse droppingsetc., etc. Should you get

a chance to play one, dont pass it up. If you listen to any of the recommended ES150

recordings you WILL want one!

Charlie Christian

All of Charlie Christiansrecordings have been

re-packaged in various forms.

Hank Garland

Winds from a New Direction Columbia, JCS 8372Jazz

Rene Thomas Quintet

Guitar GrooveOriginal Jazz Classics,

OJCCD-1725-2, JLP-927

Jimmy Raney

Four Classic AlbumsAvid Jazz, AMSC1051

Visits ParisFresh Sounds Records, FSR-CD89


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Stan GetzStoryville Vol 1, Roulette Jazz, Rou 1016

Tal Farlow (with Red Norvo Trio)

MoveOriole Records, Ltd RM 158

Red Norvo Vol 2Vintage Jazz Classics,

VJC-1008-2

Bill Dillard

Vibrations Red Norvo in Hi-FiLondon Records, LZ-UI4039

Dennis Budimer

Alone TogetherJazz Workshop, JLP 7008

A Second Coming - Revelation records, Rev-4

(The acoustic 12 string, on the cover, isnt played on the album!!)


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Remi HarrisRemi Harris is regarded by many as one of the UK's top up and coming young jazz guitarists. Aged

twenty-seven he has a phenomenal technique and highly developed improvisational skills. Currently

he is known as a gypsy jazz guitarist although his latest album Ninick incorporates bebop, blues and

even a Beatles tune although still under the gypsy jazz guise. Darren Dutson Bromley caught up with

Remi at the Huddersfield Jazz Guitar Society festival in the UK where he was both giving a workshop

and performing both as a duo with guitarist Caley Groves and with the Remi Harris trio.

DDB How did you become interested in playing the

guitar, and at what age?

RH I started playing guitar when I was seven, I got my

first real guitar for Christmas. My dad played a bit of

guitar. He used to learn from guitar magazines and

they'd be all dotted around the house and in the

evenings hed be watching videos like Jimi Hendrix at

Woodstock, so I was surrounded by the guitar from a

young age. I was always hearing the Beatles and all

these great guitar bands from the sixties and seventies,

Lynyrd Skynyrd and stuff like that. I used to have toy

guitars when I was three and four but then I got my first

proper guitar when I was seven.

DDB Did you have formal lessons or did your dad coach

you?

RH Lessons weren't really an option, Dad was a bit

hard up. He showed me a few chords and left me to get

on with it. Occasionally he would help me if I was stuck on something. He was self -taught and learned

through guitar magazines so he essentially showed me how to read the tablature and just left me too

it.

DDB Do you read notation as well as tablature?

RH Very slowly. I wouldn't say I sight-read but

I can go away and figure something out. I kind of

learned how to do it when I was around sixteen

just to get by but Ive never really practiced sight-

reading.

DDB Who were your early influences?


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RH Early influences would have been Peter Green, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix. I love the Beatles and

Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd, I went to see them on their Union tour when I was about nine years

old. I was also into AC/DC and Eric Clapton.

DDB I can hear those influences in your playing now. The only thing that makes sound really sound

like gypsy jazz is the guitar tone. You can hear the bebop lines and you can hear some rock lines and

Hendrix quotes, I personally think thats what makes it unique, its gypsy jazz for now rather than trying

to recreate something from the 1930s and 40s.

RH Yes, thats it. Ivebeen through the phase where Ive learned loads of Django solos but Ive

always wanted to make it a melting pot of everything and not feel like Im confined to acertain playing

style.

DDB How did you develop your improvisational style?

RH I was into blues playing early on which is largely based on improvisation all be it different way

to jazz, you dont play through changes in the same way. Up until the age of twenty I spent a lot of

time playing rock and blues and I played in bands which would jam a lot. Although we werent

necessarily playing jazz music we were improvising so we were thinking on the same lines as a jazz

musician. It came to a point where I wanted to learn more about improvising and get out of the typical

pentatonic based playing that you do when you are a blues player so I started transcribing anything

that appealed to me.

DDB How did you get into playing the gypsy jazz style?

RH I had a friend who was getting into gypsy jazz and we used to jam a bit. I went to my first Samois

and then got hooked on the whole culture of it and I love the gypsy scene, its very close -knit and I

enjoyed getting to know all the people in it. I also liked the idea of leaving all the amps behind and just

going with an acoustic guitar and playing anywhere.

DDB Which other jazz guitarists do you admire?

RH Wes Montgomery is my favourite guitar player altogether. I also love John Scofield and

obviously Django. There are some great gypsy players like Birli Lagrne and theres the new school of

gypsy jazz in Paris which has been happening for the past ten years or so. I also love Joe Pass,

particularly the Virtuoso records.

DDB Do you teach at all?

RH I do, yes. Ivebeen teaching for quite some time now, private lessons.

DDB What is the balance between teaching and performing?

RH Mostly performing. I live in a rural area which is not so accessible and the nearby cities have

their own teachers. People I teach specifically want jazz guitar lessons or particularly want to have

lessons with me. I do more workshops when Im out and about.


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DDB Letstalk about the guitars you play?

RH My gypsy guitar is made by Fylde and is a Selmer replica, on that I use Argentine 10 gauge

strings. I throw away the wound third and use a plain one. Ive an Ibanez arch top on which I use 11

gauge strings. I use a modelling pedal for all my electric guitar sounds, so I don't have an actual guitar

amp anymore. I do it so I can get good sounds at low volumes. Sometimes I might want the sound of a

cranked Fender amp, even with a gypsy trio. The emulation I use for the jazz is a Fender Twin and

maybe a Bass Man setting for the more bluesy side of things.

DDB Have you any recording projects in the pipeline?

RH Im more than halfway through recording my next record. Its been very busy this summer so

Ill probably get back to it in a month or so.

DDB Are you recording in a studio or at home?

RH Yes, in a studio. On this one Im playing all the guitars. Its a slightly different approach, Im

recording the lead parts first over a guide rhythm track and then playing the rhythm guitar around the

lead so I can react like a drummer would to a soloist. Most people do it the other way round but theresno feedback, if the lead player does something you want the rhythm section to jump in on it.

DDB Do you compose?

RH Yes, I like to write music as much often possible.

DDB Do you write with the instrument or do you write in your head and then translate the ideas

onto the instrument?

RH A bit of both. Without the guitar I like to think more rhythmically and imagine shapes rather

than exact notes. Ill have a rhythmic figure and shape of the melody and then Ill get the guitar and

figure out what notes work.

DDB. Have you received any advice that you think will be valuable to readers of this magazine ?

RH A trumpet player called Roy Hargrove once said look after the music and the music will look

after you. I like that, just concentrate on you playing and let the rest happen.

DDB Final question. If you were stranded on a desert island what three jazz guitar records would

you like to have with you?

RH Virtuoso by Joe Pass, The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery and probably John

Scofields album This Meets That.

DDB Many thanks for talking to me Remi.


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Ian
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HJGS Newsletter 58 Jul16