Jazz Guitar Lessons

Guitarist Mark Stefani Shares Original Blues Compositions

Published

1 year ago

February 7, 2022

“Slow Down ’n Funky” is a compilation of Mark Stefani studio recordings featuring his two favorite styles of playing the blues.

Mark Stefani: As the title implies, “Slow Down ’n Funky” is a compilation of a dozen studio recordings featuring two of my favorite styles of playing the blues. The tracks alternate between them throughout the album. Since I’ve learned almost everything I know from transcribing and studying my blues and jazz heroes, each take represents a tribute to the likes of B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, Kenny Burrell, Stevie Ray Vaughn, George Benson, etc. Without what they’ve shared with me I wouldn’t be the guitar player, composer, and educator that I am today, so this recording is an homage to my six-string influences.

Note: I used a 1970 Gibson Super 400 archtop with heavy strings (.014 to .067) for these tracks.

“The Soul Factor” is an original funky blues composition in the tradition of “Chitlins Con Carne” by Kenny Burrell. Like that classic KB tune, it was recorded in guitar trio format with upright bass and percussion. Written as a tribute to one of my guitar students many years ago, the head blends some classic Albert King clichés with double-stops, call & response chord punches and lower register fills.

Go here to hear the track.