Carl Amundson & The Modern Guitar Quintet: “Guitarists!”

It’s always a great day when you discover a first-rate guitarist like Carl Amundson, but when he comes along with two other great players, well then it’s a rare day indeed. That’s just what happened one day when I was listening to the Bay Area’s Jazz radio station KCSM. I heard this hip tune which I recognized as Wes Montgomery’s “Far Wes” but the arrangement was something I had never heard before and I immediately had to track it down.

After checking the KCSM play-list I found that it was a cut by Florida Jazz Guitarist Carl Amundson and his Modern Guitar Quintet. I took no haste in contacting Amundson and he was kind enough to send me a copy for possible review.

What makes this CD so special is that there are three very fine guitarists on this session, Carl Amundson, Aaron Watson, and Nate Najar, playing cool arrangements by Amundson of tunes composed by other well known guitarists, hence the title of the CD “Guitarists!”

“Guitarists!” features twelve tunes from the pens of the leading Jazz Guitarists of the 20th Century. Featured compositions are “I Told You I Love You, Now Get Out”- Herb Ellis, “All Across The City” – Jim Hall, “Walk, Don’t Run” – Johnny Smith, “Bluesette” – Toots Thielemnas, “Far Wes” – Wes Montgomery, “Dirty Old Bossa Nova” – Howard Roberts, “Nocturna” – Laurinda Almeida, “You’re The One For Me” – Barney Kessel, “Swing 59” – Charlie Byrd, “Kenya” – Oscar Moore, “Motion” – Jimmy Raney, and a sweet tune titled "Earth to Frank" by Jazz Guitarist and educator Frank Mullen who was Carl Amundson’ mentor and teacher.

Surprisingly, given the subject matter of this CD, and the fact that there are three guitarists handling the guitar chair, there are no ego issues or pretentious playing. Amundson has managed to keep it all together as everyone plays their assigned charts. And when it’s time to solo, they don’t get carried away. That’s not to say that there isn’t any excitement going on during the improv sections, just that these boys are well behaved, choosing to stick close to the spirit of the tune they solo on, thus making this a definite group effort. That being said however, I would have to say that I really enjoyed Amundson’s solo on “Motion”, Watson’s solo on “Swing 59”, and Najar’s solo on “Far Wes”, and of course the tracks where all three are featured. And of course I can’t miss the musical accompaniments of bassist Bob Massicotte and drummer Stephen Bucholtz. They both provide the support needed to make the arrangements come alive with enthusiasm and talent.

There’s some really nice playing by all three on this CD but it should be kept in mind that this is pretty much “old school” playing with solid arrangements and plenty of swing, more in line with The Great Guitars (Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel), than with the New York Guitar Trio (Ben Monder, Bruce Saunders, Steve Cardenas).

So if you like your Jazz Guitar music swingin’, straight ahead and hip with no posturing, then “Guitarists!” is an album that you need to check out, especially if you are a student of Jazz Guitar and its history, or if you are studying arranging. Whatever the reason, this CD is a definite buy. Thanks Carl!

Go to www.modernguitarquintet.com to purchase "Guitarists!" or to see what else Carl Amundson & the Modern Guitar Quintet has to offer.

Lyle Robinson