Hey all. I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. I just wanted to quickly say that I’m having a great time at the Montreal Jazz Festival and have seen some awesome performances. In the Acoustic Guitar department, Don Ross, Larry Pattis and Pierre Bensusan are revered Guitarists in the fingerstyle world, and while not Jazz Guitarists per se, they seamlessly combine harmonic and melodic elements of Jazz within their own brand of playing. Especially Pierre Bensusan, who really swung hard on Sunday night while adding quite a bit of melodic improvisation throughout his set. His vocalizing, a cross between Al Jarreau and Bobby McFerrin, was a delightful surprise that made the audience whoop and holler. He’s definitely a player I would recommend everyone to check out…along with the other two as well.

In the Jazz Guitar department, Montreal’s own Reno De Stefano put on a free show that delighted music fans, and of course Jazz Guitar players/fans, with an hour long set comprised of his own compositions. Reno played some great straight-ahead style tunes that featured his strong chops alongside some of the heaviest players on the Montreal and International Jazz scenes. I had heard nothing but great things about Reno and was finally glad to see him play. I look forward to seeing more of this local artist and he will also be featured in a Jazz Guitar Life interview in the not too distant future. If you get the chance definitely check him out.

The highlight for me however, as wonderful as the above mentioned players are, was seeing Martin Taylor perform a spectacular hour and forty-five minutes set of solo guitar. In fact, to say his performance was beyond spectacular would be a definite understatement. Not only is he an amazing and extremely musical player he’s also a witty and engaging entertainer of stories both humorous and emotional. As a good friend of mine stated, “Martin Taylor makes you fall in love with him”. He’s definitely someone you would love to have on your speed dial to call up and chat about whatever…:) There will be a more detailed review of Martin’s show on Jazz Guitar Life in the next week or so. As this week winds down the festival there are a couple of more Guitarists on my list to check out and I’ll be doing just that in the next two days.

Take care all, and if you have any comments I’d love to hear them. Later…

Martin Taylor in Concert Featuring Martin Taylor. For Guitar (Fingerpicking). Concert/Documentary. Vestapol. Jazz. DVD. Duration 75 minutes. Published by Grossman’s Guitar Workshop. (13067DVD) See more info…