Jazz Guitar Today Looks Back at 2019

Jazz Guitar Today had a great year with incredible cover artists. We appreciate all their contributions. JGT takes another look at all the cover stories from 2019.

January 2019: Corey Christiansen is an artist, author, and educator.  He has made huge contributions to the art of guitar and his support of our efforts has been appreciated.  It’s through guys like Corey we earn relevance. VIEW THIS ISSUE

“Jazz is definitely a high-level art form but it’s like learning to a language. You have to listen to a spoken language a lot to learn the right attitude and the inflection, etc. Same thing with music.” – Corey Christiansen

February 2019: Frank uses his prodigious talent to make music not to impress.  His chops and grasp music on the instrument is up there with the very best but he never leaves his audience behind or tries to go over their heads, he truly entertains with his art.  VIEW THIS ISSUE

“Learn how to get a gig. Really, learn how to get a gig. This is what a lot of younger players don’t learn. You have to knock on doors and just like practicing daily, you must knock on doors daily.” – Frank Vignola

March 2019: Oz Noy’s approach to music is ‘It’s jazz, it just doesn’t sound like it’.  VIEW THIS ISSUE

“When I make a record – I have to have some sort of concept in order to write, I don’t just write. For example, the concept for my blues record, I wanted to make a blues record and mix jazz into it.  So I took all those blues forms and mixed jazz harmony into it.” – Oz Noy

April 2019: Martin Taylor is simply one of the top on the planet.  He is effortless, musical, whimsical. philosophical, and then when he starts to play mesmerizing. VIEW THIS ISSUE

“I approach the guitar like a piano player. When I play solo you can almost hear the left and right hands of a piano player. That’s what I’m always aiming for.” – Martin Taylor

May 2019: Jon Jorgenson is one of the most eclectic guitarists out there.  He has truly mastered so many styles and is respected by his peers each genre… simply astounding! VIEW THIS ISSUE

“Any style that I don’t get to play, I start to miss… Each one has its own challenges. If I stay away too long, gypsy jazz playing is quite physical and difficult to do. If I’m not “in shape”, bluegrass and rock are both more vocal-oriented so if my voice is not “in shape” – that’s a challenge.” –  John Jorgenson

June 2019: Robben Ford has been a favorite of ours for so many years… It was such an honor for JGT to interview him.  He really is a legend! VIEW THIS ISSUE

“I like being creative. I don’t want to get locked into anything just for the money.  That is what I saw as the sad truth in those cities.  Here in Nashville, it’s not like there are a zillion gigs or a zillion places to play.  On the other hand, there are enough and there is an incredible pool of musicians and creativity in Nashville.  So there is the potential of doing something unique, personal, and satisfying.  Musically and financially – there’s just no place in the world like Nashville.” – Robben Ford

July 2019: We selected Dave Stryker for our cover because speaks to and for everyone with his guitar.  He has a no BS style that just lets you know he has worked his tail off to get where he is… Dave wants you to feel it. VIEW THIS ISSUE

“Listen to the music. You can’t play jazz and get a good feel unless you love it and live it. Better to listen to a few things a lot – then a lot of things a little. Keep practicing, playing with others, and don’t get discouraged. Everyone has their own creative voice that is waiting to come.” – Dave Stryker

August 2019: Pat Martino’s cover was four months in the making.  We celebrated his 75 years with testimonials and an outpouring of love and admiration for his contributions to the genre.  It was our honor. VIEW THIS ISSUE

“Attention has a great deal to do with its outcome. It’s also a condition that prevails, (no matter what governs our awareness). As to what it takes to be conscious, that depends upon ones priority, and no matter what that is, it will demand concentration.” – Pat Martino

September 2019: Brent Mason is the most recorded guitar player in the history of recorded guitar players.  His playing style comes from such diverse influences that he can bring about anything that a six-string can give you.  He was fun to interview, he was candid and we laughed a lot.  He is a great guy and a very influential guitarist. VIEW THIS ISSUE

“If you don’t put down your instrument, listen to something else and stop playing, you never advance. Sometimes the inspiration goes away, so you’ve got TO GET inspired…  Use your ears and your heart – and not pick up your instrument.” – Brent Mason

October 2019: Jimmy Herring is such a great example of a “rock tone” player – utilizing the jazz language in his improvisation.  John McLaughlin is quoted upon hearing Jimmy cover one of his compositions ‘I wish I would have played it like that’. VIEW THIS ISSUE

“We just want to go play music together… that’s what all this stems from.  I’m working  less now with Widespread Panic. We don’t tour anymore per se so this left me with more time (to do other stuff) – in the last 2 years, I started ‘Jonesing’ to do something a little different – and just see where it goes…” – Jimmy Herring

November 2019: Bireli and Giuseppe are a wonderful example of gifted and hard work… Bireli’s command is so effortless that it is hard to think he ever practiced.  He has been on the scene for so long and yet he is still a young man.  We are so happy he graced our cover.  Giuseppe studied in America at GIT. He has worked his butt off to be the recognized and admired talent that he is.  Everyone that knows Giuseppe respects his playing. VIEW THIS ISSUE

“I always loved all of music and of course I’ve liked to play them all, I’m trying to always find new directions and new inspirations. I listened to so many musicians throughout my life – it had a huge influence on the way I play.” – Bireli Legrene

“I constantly listen to recordings of other jazz and rock and blues guitarists. There are so many good ones today. I try to keep up. When I was coming up on the scene I listened to everything I could get my hands on.” – Vic Juris

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