As the subject line states, I was in Jazz Guitar Heaven this morning as I listened to eight wonderful players on my fav Jazz Radio station KCSM. As I sat at my computer, working from home, I was constantly distracted, in a good way, by how much great Jazz Guitar music there was happening on the radio.

First up was a Jazz Guitarist I have never heard of. His name is Bill Boris and he was featured on the Charles Earland CD “Stomp“. Bill is a great straight-ahead player, with some nice note choices. I did a Google search on him but didn’t come up with much. If anyone knows Bill please feel free to send him my way for an interview on Jazz Guitar Life…:)

Next up was a Guitarist I was aware of back in the mid to late seventies but hadn’t heard much from since: Ryo Kawasaki. I really liked the track I heard which was from a session led by the Jazz Flute player Chip Shelton. Ryo played some nice lines and I was glad to hear and see that he’s still playing.

After that came the wonderful line-man Grant Green. There’s probably nothing I can say that you all don’t already know so suffice it to say he was smokin’ as usual as he played through the tune “Hip Funk” from the album “Oleo“. Definitely a master of the improvised line.

Essential Jazz Lines in the Style of Grant Green for Guitar By Corey Christiansen. For Guitar (All). Improvisation. Essential Jazz Lines. Jazz play along. Book/CD Set. 56 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (99964BCD) Level: Intermediate. See more info…

The next Jazz Guitarist I heard was a man named Tony Lombardozzi. I had never heard of Tony before but he was playing some tasty Blues/Jazz lines alongside Jazz vocalist Giacomo Gates. Great playing and I look forward to hearing more form this swinging cat.

Larry Koonse was after Tony on a CD by the group TOMO. Larry’s playing was so sweet and his tone was gorgeous as he played through the changes in a smooth and silky fashion. Larry is one cat I’d love to interview so if anyone knows him please feel free to let Larry know about Jazz Guitar Life.

As I was about to make a call to a client, a tune came on that I immediately knew. Not many people would have known it but I recognized instantly because it is a CD I am currently writing a review for. It is by the Canadian Jazz Guitarist Mike Rud who was one of the first Jazz Guitarists interviewed on Jazz Guitar Life. And even though I have been listening to his CD (Live From Lotusland) for a while I still had to put the phone down to listen to Mike’s wonderful playing.

Then there was Michael Jackson. “What!?” MJ? Are you sure? Yup! But this Michael Jackson goes by the name Mike and he plays wonderfully. He’s a Jazzer from Upstate NY and the tune I heard was a nice mix of lush chordal work and single lines that spoke to me of a payer who has taken the best from the best and added his own dynamic to it. Well done Michael!

The last player I heard before I had to leave the house was the legendary Calvin Keys. I have a review of Calvin’s latest CD “Vertical Clearance” that I need to finish and then hopefully an interview with the man himself. He’s one of the legendary Guitar slingers from back in the day who has recently been hopping around the country playing his ass off to very appreciative audiences. If you get a chance to, check out Calvin, he’s all that!

So there ya have it…Jazz Guitar Heaven. I have no doubt that the Jazz Guitar community, fans and players alike, will be spoiled by the many wonderful talents bringing us all great music and continuity for many years to come. Remember to check these cats out live and support them through whatever means you can. They, and us, deserve it…:)

Best of Jazz Guitar (A Step-by-Step Breakdown Of the Styles And Techniques Of Tal Farlow, Grant Green, Jim Hall And More) Written by Wolf Marshall. Instructional book (song excerpts only) and examples CD for guitar. Series: Hal Leonard Guitar Signature Licks. 159 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.695586) See more info…