Jazz Community Remembers Vic Juris

On March 6, 2020, the Jazz Community and Friends Celebrated the Life of Jazz Guitarist Vic Juris.

Contribution from Ben Weise – student of Vic Juris

The evening of Friday, March 6, 2020 was a very special, emotional night for the world of jazz. At the Mason Gross School of the Arts of Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey), the Rutgers University Jazz Ensemble, led by world-renowned trombonist Conrad Herwig, held a tribute concert for one of the all-time greats, a true master of the guitar and fellow Rutgers faculty member, the late, great Vic Juris. Notably, the ensemble featured a special guest, another all-time jazz guitar heavyweight and dear friend of Vic Juris, Dave Stryker. (Stryker is now the new guitar professor at Rutgers.)

The concert was well-attended, with many of Vic’s friends, colleagues, and students being present. The program included pieces of music from Bob Mintzer, Dave Stryker, Marvin Gaye, and, of course, Vic Juris. Three of Juris’ compositions were performed; “Twenty Five”, “Cerise”, and “Moonscape”, the first two of which were arranged beautifully by Marc Stasio, and the latter of which featured vocals from Juris’ wife, the wonderful Kate Baker, and guitar solos from Dave Stryker and one of Juris’ promising young students, Ilan Eisenzweig.

The event may not have garnered widespread public attention, but was nonetheless a wonderful, fitting tribute to one of the greatest to ever pick up a guitar, ensuring that his music and his impact on our chosen instrument will live on forever.

We love you, Vic. Thank you for everything.

Article provided by Ben Weise – Jazz Guitar Today would like to thank him for his contribution. Ben Weise is a senior jazz guitar major at Rutgers University and was a student of Vic Juris.