Jazz Guitar Language

The Pizzarelli family treasured musical gatherings at home from the time the patriarch was just starting to play guitar, where he learned a lot from his two uncles about playing rhythm guitar. Long an accomplished sideman, soloist, and bandleader, Bucky Pizzarelli has performed and recorded with his sons John and Martin on a number of occasions over the years, while John has had Martin as the bassist in his group for a number of years. But this is the first family recording date with all three present and not a larger supporting cast, except for drummer Tony Tedesco, who is so well known to them he is considered family. But this time around, it is John playing electric lead guitar, with his father sticking to playing acoustic rhythm guitar.

John Lewis & Sacha Distel - Afternoon In Paris (1956) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27164}
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© 1956, 2012 Warner Japan / Atlantic / Rhino | WPCR-27164
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Piano / Guitar

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. We would gladly trade every other John Lewis album for a copy of this album – because the album's a treasure all the way through – and a really unique set, with a really unique feel! The session features Lewis' piano in the company of a hip French group that includes Sasha Distel on guitar, Pierre Michelot on bass, and the great Barney Wilen on tenor – all great players who bring out a whole new side of Lewis' genius! Wilen's solos alone are worth the price of the album – deeply soulful, with a resonant tone that's some of his greatest on record – and an easy illustration of why he was one of the few European players of the postwar years to get big notice on this side of the Atlantic.

The Johnny Smith Trio - Johnny Smith Favorites (1959) {2016 Japan SHM-CD Jazz Masters Collection 1200 Series WPCR-29141}
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© 1959, 2016 Roost / Parlophone / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-29141
Jazz / Cool / Guitar

SHM-CD reissue. Comes with a mini-description. Features new remastering if it comes from Parlophone. Guitarist Johnny Smith in a sweet, laidback trio setting – just the kind of mode that's perfect for his gentle sense of color and tone – a style he virtually invented for jazz guitar in the 50s! The album's one of his classics for the Roost label, and it's a masterpiece in chromatic hues – subtle, simple, but completely fantastic – at a level that makes Johnny Smith one of the true legends in jazz guitar from the 50s. Accompaniment is by George Roumanis on bass and Mousie Alexander on drums – but both players are extremely gentle, and leave most of the sound to Johnny – as it should be. Titles include "Little Girl Blue", "My Funny Valentine", "Polka Dots & Moonbeams", "Everything Happens To Me", "Pavanne", and "Blues Back Stage".

Larry Coryell & Alphonse Mouzon - Back Together Again (1977) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27436}
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© 1977, 2013 Atlantic / Warner Japan / WEA / Rhino | WPCR-27436 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Fusion / Crossover Jazz / Guitar / Drums

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. A famous set of crossover fusion – one with lots of heavy drums from Alphonse Mouzon, and plenty of sweet guitar from Larry Coryell! This set definitely plays to the rockish side of the fusion crowd, but still has some funky undercurrents too – thanks to lots of bold lines from Cobham, who could easily sit on both sides of the fence at this point in his career! The rest of the group is equally tight, too – and includes the great John Lee on bass, who really keeps things deep, plus Philip Catherine on additional guitar, sometimes acoustic. Mouzon sings on the cut "Reconciliation", but all others are instrumental.

Barney Wilen & Philippe Petit - Flashback (1986) {Paris Jazz Corner PJCP222012 rel 2003}
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© 1986, 2003 Paris Jazz Corner PJCP 222012
Jazz / Cool Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Guitar / Saxophone

Unissued live by Barney Wilen and Philippe Petit. While waiting for 'La Note Bleue'… it is in July 1986, in Montpellier, France, that Barney Wilen, the legendary French saxophonist, and Philippe Petit, a virtuoso too seldom heard on the jazz scene, occurred for a concert in duet. Extremely rare experiment in jazz, this guitare/saxophone live recording proceeds in the wire of a collaboration which started between the two musicians since 1984. Essential.

Wes Montgomery - Wes Montgomery & The Billy Taylor Trio (2005) {Lone Hill Jazz LHJ10211 rec 1963, 1965}
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© 1963, 1965, 2005 Lone Hill Jazz | LHJ10211
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Guitar

This release includes two rare sessions led by West Montgomery in 1963 and 1965. The first date was recorded in New York on November 1963 and features the solid drumming of Montgomery's long-time contemporary Grady Tate as well as the tasteful playing of pianist Billy Taylor. The group is rounded out by bassist Ben Tucker and drummer Grady Tate with a special guest appearance by jazz vocal giant Joe Williams. An excellent studio date. The second group of tunes was recorded live during his triumphal European tour in the spring of 1965, with a completely different lineup. The four titles include the participation of the exceptional guest star, Clark Terry on trumpet, with accompaniment by a local rhythm section. A must have for all Wes Montgomery fans. Includes booklet with comprehensive liner notes.

Rodney Jones & Tommy Flanagan - My Funny Valentine (1981) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
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© 1981, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6340
Jazz / Post Bop / Contemporary Jazz / Guitar / Piano Trio

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. That's kind of a creepy cover on the front – and it hardly does justice to an album with so much lyrical beauty as this – a great meeting between piano giant Tommy Flanagan and younger guitarist Rodney Jones! The record's got a feel that's a bit like a Flanagan trio session with added guitar – not to imply that Jones is just some extra element thrown into the mix, but just that Tommy's inherent sense of soulful swing really drives the proceedings right from the start – giving the whole thing maybe more focus than some of Jones' other records from the time, at a level that really opens him up as an old school-styled jazz guitarist!

Charlie Byrd Trio - I've Got The World On A String (1994) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
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© 1994, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6382
Jazz / Bop / International Jazz / Guitar

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. This Timeless CD is a bit unusual in that guitarist Charlie Byrd sings the first six numbers; it is only the second time in his career he has taken vocals on record. His singing is simple and generally effective if not too memorable. The final 11 numbers are instrumentals (odd programming) and also surprising in that the emphasis is on standards, often from the swing era; there is only one Brazilian song (Antonio Carlos Jobim's "So Danca Samba"). Byrd (in a trio with bassist Joe Byrd and drummer Chuck Redd) is in generally fine form overall although it is doubtful that he will get too many requests to feature his singing in the future.