Ernie Isley jams @ Reunion Blues booth NAMM 2014 (Smooth Jazz Family)

Here's a clip of Ernie Isley jamming @ the Reunion Blues booth NAMM 2014.
Enjoy and "Stay Smooooth". / smoothjazzfamily

[@YaoEspirito]

Always blows my mind how people in the back shuffle by, not noticing or being particularly interested that an absolute legend is standing a few meters away, playing iconic melodies.

[@AleandFire]

Snobs

[@michaelmcmichael5608]

Same thing I said, I would have stopped and recorded as if I saw God!

[@k4x4map46]

The unknowing will be taught...by then, it will be too late

[@geecollins4915]

IKR I was like do they know who that is?

[@davidarmstrong7628]

Wake up. Understand that no one cares about anything anymore....

[@catboyzee]

Of all the Hendrix disciples Ernie has the unique distinction of literally growing up watching Jimi develop his style up close and personal; as Hendrix was once a guitarist for the Isley Brothers and lived in the Isley's family home when Ernie was a kid. Another reason I love Ernie is that through his playing on those 1970s Isley Brothers records he single-handedly reconciled the Hendrix sound and legacy back to Black America at a time when many Blacks held Hendrix in contempt for playing Rock music instead of R&B during the turbulent late 1960s. Respect.

[@DuoJet63]

One of the greats. Glad someone recorded this for history books

[@teddynruthstudstill1508]

Clearly you can hear that Jimi Hendrix influence in Ernie Isley playing. He is a remarkably, brilliant guitarist.

[@harrisongdavis]

oh yeah, for sure. Pretty awesome stuff

[@catboyzee]

Folk tend to forget that before going solo Jimi was a guitarist for the Isley Brothers in the early 1960s, and actually stayed at their mother's home for a time when Ernie was a youngster. Ernie has told numerous stories of how he would hear Jimi practicing licks and chords which would later become some of his most well known songs. Respect...

[@nhdoom8368]

@Richard werkNprog Hall yeah they were tight in the 60s so that makes sense.

[@reddrw1]

I never get tired of watching this video of Ernie Isley Playing

[@donnacrenshaw5972]

Ernie Isley Is A Bad Man, A Beast On The Guitar. I Love Me Some Isley Brothers, The Greatest Group Of All Time!!! 😍😍😍🔥🔥🔥

[@johnbrown1960]

I one hundred percent agree with you. I love them better than EWF, Commodores, and LTD! It started with Love the one your with in 1971 when I was an 8 year old child up until today. I used to enjoy when a new album would come out. Showdown 3+3 Live it up, winner takes all,go all the way Man where did the music go? Anyway, I’m glad to share my Isley Experience with anyone who would listen!

[@tonydefazio2290]

Bums me out to see people who ACTUALLY ATTENDED not giving a shit. 😢 Criminally underrated band as a whole, not to mention Ernie as a guitarist.

[@MrGuitars8]

Such a Beautiful Guitar Played by One of Music's All TIme Best Guitar Players .

[@thefamecameranshow8250]

Other fun facts: Ernie Isley's first live performance with his older brothers O'Kelly, Rudolph, and Ronald Isley was as a drummer at the age of 14 in 1966. Jimi Hendrix lived with the Isley family from March 1963 to November 1965. It was Ernie's oldest brother O'Kelly "Kelly" Isley, Jr., who discovered a 20 year old Jimi Hendrix in Greenwich Village in the Manhattan borough in New York City, New York that he was a great guitar player that was homeless and pawned his guitar. As a result, 26 year old Kelly Isley decided to buy Jimi Hendrix's guitar back and buy Jimi new guitar strings. Since Kelly also discovered that Jimi was homeless, he asked his mother Mrs. Sallye Berenice Bell Isley if Jimi could live with them. Of course, Mrs. Isley allowed Jimi to live in the Isley house in New Jersey. Kelly soon introduced Jimi to his other family members including his younger brothers 23 year old Rudolph, 21 year old Ronald, 11 year old Ernie, and 9 year old Marvin. Kelly also allowed Jimi Hendrix perform with him, Rudolph, and Ronald. Testify and Move Over Let Me Dance were among the first recorded appearances of Jimi Hendrix and the first singles released from T-Neck Records. When Jimi was living with the Isleys, he shared the same bedroom as Ernie Isley, and the bedroom that he shared with Ernie Isley was actually next to door to Marvin Isley's room. He actually showed Marvin Isley a guitar lick or two, but we all know that Marvin Isley ended up becoming a bass guitar player. When Jimi Hendrix was playing his guitar while practicing with O'Kelly, Rudolph, and Ronald, it would distract Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, and their oldest niece (Rudolph Isley's oldest daughter) Elizabeth Isley-Barkley from doing their homework. Jimi Hendrix decided to move from New Jersey to Nashville, Tennessee in November 1965 to get better start. It was a mutual understanding between Jimi and the Isley family. The first two albums that Ernie Isley appeared was 1969 albums It's Your Thing and The Brothers: Isley, on which he played bass, guitar, and drums. The first song that had Ernie Isley play lead guitar was Lay-Away, which was one of the singles released from the 1972 album Brother, Brother, Brother. Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, and Chris Jasper actually played on albums It's Our Thing, The Brothers: Isley, Get Into Something, Givin' It Back, and Brother, Brother, Brother before becoming official members of The Isley Brothers in 1973. Ernie Isley and Chris Jasper wrote most the lyrics and the music for the Isley brothers (from 1973 to 1984) and Isley-Jasper-Isley (from 1984 to 1988), although they did have occasional composition help from Marvin Isley. Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, and Chris Jasper actually started Isley-Jasper-Isley prior to the recording of Between The Sheets. As a matter of fact, most of the songs from the Between The Sheets album was actually supposed to recorded by Isley-Jasper-Isley, instead of the Isley brothers. Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, and Chris Jasper left The Isley Brothers because of financial issues and accusations of tax evasion pointing at Kelly, Rudolph, and Ronald Isley. Ernie Isley sang lead on and mainly wrote Look The Other Way by Isley-Jasper-Isley. Ernie Isley left the group in 1988 as a solo artist, therefore Isley-Jasper-Isley disbanded. The name of Ernie Isley's 1990 solo album is High Wire. Ernie Isley also has daughter named Alexandra "Alex" Isley, who is also a singer. Sorry if I typed too much information in this comment. I am just a big fan of Ernie Isley, The Isley Brothers, Isley-Jasper-Isley. I am also a huge fan of Jimi Hendrix, so that is why I felt like typing all of Jimi Hendrix-related information because he performed with The Isley Brothers and that he had a profound influence on Ernie Isley and other famous guitar players.

[@thefamecameranshow8250]

Besides being a great guitar player and a decent singer, he is also a prolific and a great songwriter. He wrote or co-wrote several songs, which includes That Lady, Brown Eyed Girl, Fight The Power, For The Love of You, Harvest For The World, (At Your Best) You Are Love, Footsteps In The Dark, Voyage To Atlantis, Livin' In The Life, Go For Your Guns, Take Me To The Next Phase, Between The Sheets, and many more.

[@bambicymone9390]

a fun fact you missed: ernie played drums on every album from 3+3 on out.

[@patricecooper8419]

Wow! What I read about your report is very interesting, and eye-opening! I don't think that you have to apologize for anything... that is really, really great about Ernie Isley! I really enjoy the way he plays the guitar---he is REALLY GOOD!!

[@propertymanager4140]

THANK YOU, Fame Cameran Show for ALL the incredible detail about Isleys' early life and Jimi staying there at their house, and all the developments and chronology ! VERY relevant and interesting facts, thank you Fame. And big thanks OF COURSE to may man Eric Sarmiento ( or maybe Kari ?) whichever one of you filmed this,, I love you guys, hope to se you soon.

[@thefamecameranshow8250]

Property Manager No problem and I’m happy to help out fellow fans!

[@mysterybat35]

Go Ernie!! congrats on your Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award!!

[@kevinholt2248]

He is one of the best to ever do it... PERIOD!!!

[@user-ho6oy2ni9w]

ALIVE IN THIS. THANKS. 😊

[@alvinfrazierTV]

I've heard him play lead so much over the years that I forget how great of a rhythm player he is! He's killin' the rhythm parts! Meaty and soulful playing!

[@kennethbeavers6903]

@alvin frazier have any idea what pedals he's using??

[@jeffharrison1277]

Ernie is one of the best ever because he learned alot of licks from THE best ever,Jimi Hendrix

[@thefamecameranshow8250]

Another fun fact: Ernie Isley's first appearance on any of the Isley Brothers single was It's Your Thing. He actually played the bassline in the original recording of It's Your Thing. Ernie Isley was 16 years old at the time that It's Your Thing was recorded.

[@carlosrios5852]

damm! he can play the hell out of his beautiful guitar!! awesome!! a fan for life!

[@mariodmoses32]

Ernie Isley is the Man when it comes to playing that Axe!

[@chocolady06]

Awesome performance by a LEGEND!

[@JustFloyd706]

Thank you Ernie Isley for inspiring me as a little kid to pick up a guitar. You're the reason why I'm going to change the game in music by doing what you do best. Thank You and the rest of the Isley Brothers RIP Marvin Isley and O'kelly Isley

[@OriginalOldSkoolFunk]

One of my all time favorite guitar slingers...Ernie Isley himself. Awesome video clip. Looks like another of my favorites made an unexpected cameo at 19 mins and 54 sec in the background. Longtime PFunk music director and guitar slinger himself, Mr. Blackbird McKnight. Much respect to Ernie Isley bringing us amazing music for SIX DECADES now. Don't be shocked if you don't know...he played bass as a young teenager on "It's your thing" back in the 60's and he and his Brothers have had hits in every decade since the 50's...! No group or individual is more deserving of the lifetime achievement award that this family and this guitar hero, Mr. Ernie Isley...!

[@angelatrammell8400]

Totally agree. Isleys. Brothers don't get enough credit. For their talent and accomplishments. Prince and Jimi are next. This is real music

[@michaelmcmichael5608]

One of the BEST that ever did it. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

[@gregorylawson1216]

Look at that guitar!!! OMG that's a gorgeous guitar!

[@shauncathey9365]

Amazing I have so much respect for this man He's Amazing N underrated but not to me! One of the greatest in my book

[@rievans57]

A master at play.

[@jamesreason519]

I caught Ernie Live playing in a G3 concert w/Billy Cox, the last Gypsy.. It was absolutely amazing. Even though I had worn out my Isley Brothers cassette tapes from the mid 70s through the early 80s.

[@sebastiannatera777]

The more guitar I listen to, the more music I delve into, the more I come to understand that Donald Byrd is my favorite Jazz musician and Ernie Isley is my favorite guitarist. I think he's better than a lot of guys that are held higher. He may have been the best.

[@3rdayesmokin657]

The man was a monster

[@JLJ504HD]

I had the opportunity to catch their live performance in New Orleans in 1993. Wasn't disappointed. The ISLEYS, Ernie especially, brought their A Game!

[@tomthomas7009]

Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, & Ernie Isley for this Bass Player in the day

[@travislumpkin9857]

Tom Thomas ,IT,s NOT, BASS, IT,s LEAD or Rhythm, IF, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU,RE LIST-ING TOO!,.

[@derricklester9210]

I believe Ernie played 1. Who's that lady 2. Footsteps in the dark 3. Voyage to Atlantis 3. Amazing grace 4. Choosey lover 5. Climbing up the ladder 6. Caravan of love 7. Its your thing 8. Twist and shout. I think he played those songs

[@ASSman864]

Hell yeah that lady who told him to turn it up is a godess

[@djcoolcliff]

You gotta know that Jimmy Hendrix stayed with the Isley’s when Ernie was starting to learn how to play guitar!!! Could you image being young abs watching Jimmy in front of you right in your home? Unreal!!!!!!!

[@kkdeveauxgue2592]

Got nothing but Respect for Ernie, Nothing but Respect...💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖😍😍😍😍☮️☮️☮️☮️☮️ To that Brother

[@patricecooper8419]

I agree with you...he seems to be a good-hearted gentleman.

[@SCottLARock19]

Guitar God!

[@ClearYourMindTravel]

No words, I have no words.

[@ACOUSTIC_4LOVE]

Ernies got those huge hands like Hendrix!-watching him play-- you’ll see that Ernie has that thumb wrapped around the board like Jimi most of the time. Pretty mind blowing how is approach on that fender is so Hendrix influenced. Most those youngsters roaming round in that arena don’t have a clue!!!!!!--they grew up on Van Halen’ and Satriani’. Great Vid

[@leahflower9924]

would Prince even come up with Purple Rain if he didn't grow up on music like the isley brothers lol

[@gregorypritchett5441]

God Bless you Ernie.......Blackbird in the background at end of clip P Funk....Dj BuZZ

[@kevinhughes2566]

100 Ernie, the very best.

[@supajoc4352]

Old school 🎸

[@DBNEBMUSICGROUP]

Ernie rules!

[@cwilliams8743]

E.I thank you simply love it youll always be my #1 to me amazing mi hermano

[@bettinastrouble2537]

Wow!! Listen to that, awesome!!

[@thefamecameranshow8250]

The songs that Ernie Isley played is Summer Breeze, That Lady, Summer Breeze (played in C Minor), Amazing Grace, Between The Sheets, Footsteps In The Dark, Voyage To Atlantis, Climbin' Up The Ladder, Choosey Lover, Caravan Of Love, It's Your Thing, Fight The Power, and finally Twist and Shout. I just wanted to post a little fun fact.

[@jamesnadell7144]

You can bet Jimi would have worked with the Isleys once he freed himself from the music plantatiion, which he was on the cusp of doing on 9 18 70. The next step was self ownership, like Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and James Brown. But with control of his own studio, an institutional platform to project his music ministry, aka electric church. JMH was moving to reach back while stepping in the future. He was about to make major inroads with the black American population, while also maintaining the white youth following he obtained by 1968. Reconnecting with the Isleys would have been part of the trend back to improvisational roots music. JMH stood astride the whole scene and Ernie Isley is a part of the living legacy. He and his family should be recognized as catalysts for the Son of Music, and those of us who are devotees of what JMH manifested hold them in high regard.

[@mysticman9331]

Hey you know your music!

[@leahflower9924]

i was a big Aaliyah fan and she covered choosey lover all the good r and b people liked isley brothers

[@thefamecameranshow8250]

@@leahflower9924 Yes I love her cover of Choosey Lover. She also covered At Your Best (You Are Love) on her first album Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number and she also covered Let Me Down Easy on a radio interview.

[@robertadams6184]

Kingoftheaxe

[@phillipmartin2636]

Erinie u play the hell out that guiltar

[@donh5794]

Wish I was there!

[@gregorylawson1216]

Can't imagine people walking around obliviously. But, then again most of them are too young to remember all of these amazing songs he's playing. The ones who are old enough were probably listening to The Stones or Zepplin and no nothing about the music of the Isley Brothers.

[@mysticman9331]

Bad ass guitarist!!

[@charlescarr2869]

Hey, that's Blackbyrd McKnight!!!🤘🏿

[@SongmanKK]

As a guitarist, I can tell you right now, Ernie has the most tasteful rhythm licks, sure he's a great lead guitarist, but his rhythm work, like on "Footsteps In The Dark" or "Caravan Of Love" is absolutely sensational, and even more identifiable than his solos, though the "Summer Breeze" intro comes close.

[@marcussmith3934]

Ernie you are a bad man!!!

[@jeffreymajor2006]

That's a cool brother I love him. 1 of the best Og bodean from the p

[@jeromejackson2455]

I grew on both of them great guitar players

[@HopeYourHavingFun]

Just imagine coming across this. Fantastic 😍

[@rexvisitor44]

Ernie Isley playing like that and nobody can be bothered to pay attention.

[@dp-mo5jh]

You can’t see who’s behind the camera. Plus, most people probably been there all day, or even week! You’ll also notice all the customers are white.

[@leahflower9924]

@@dp-mo5jh i'm white and he's my favorite along with prince and jimi hendrix lol

[@kevinholt2248]

I notice how some of the people walk by and not know who he is or the music. True music lovers can remember back to 1949 when their songs came out!!! ISLEY BROS 4 EVER!!!

[@daniboy28]

Amazing Grace; with his teeth!!! They don't know what to think of him in back....

[@nylesfrench3568]

Legendary, Fantastic Song, I love his work on this ( Summer Breeze) even more than Who's That Lady.

[@GuitarGodsInc1]

He's Just Jamin' Hendrix like myself do!

[@michaelhenderson1687]

When l grow up l wanna play like jimi n ernie

[@reddrw1]

man can he play....Fight the Power...loved it

[@thefamecameranshow8250]

Of course, he can. After all, Ernie Isley wrote most of Fight The Power with additional composition from Chris Jasper and Marvin Isley.

[@michaelvaughn9020]

An Epic Performance. Iconic Ernie Isley is A True Jimi Hendrix disciple taught by Jimi himself. 1 of 1 🎼 Royalty.

[@harrisongdavis]

Fender has to make a artist series with him.

[@thefamecameranshow8250]

Harry D. I agree with you, my friend.

[@ASSman864]

id buy the cream one for sure

[@caseyspeer]

i would do anything to get one

[@ajjohnsoniii3508]

They have: ZEAL it's on the fretboard.

[@cameron6249]

@@ajjohnsoniii3508 that's not an artist series, those were made for him specifically

[@chappyport]

God Bless you for posting this

[@johncalarco3728]

Thanks for posting this. Nice guitar! Thinking about this and the Jimi influence…. Check out the song “Under the Influence” on the Isley Brothers 1982 album “The Real Deal” Wow, it’s also a wonderful tribute to Jimi Hendrix !

[@Timinator62]

I admire Ernie...and I've been to NAMM back in the '90's and all I can say is other than get to meet a very few really "famous people" ...NAMM just sounds like a Saturday afternoon at Guitar Center....

[@slim420MM]

THE G.O.A.T

[@kgaughan1000]

Footsteps in the dark 7:00

[@LloydMajor]

Get down Ernie!

[@michaelhenderson1687]

My hero. Between Jimi Vernon Reid Ernie lsley that is how l spell guitar

[@queenelueme8946]

Ernie plays that 🎸 guitar with his heart and soul❤❤❤❤ love in

[@robertadams6184]

Closestthingtojimihendrix

[@mrbass6255]

The Greatest of all times all i can say

[@donaldjenkins6347]

Saw him when he came to Detroit to promote High Wire.....awesome. I wonder if he tunes down a half step.Time for another solo CD!

[@dp-mo5jh]

What idiot would dislike this video? 🤷🏾‍♂️..... absolutely incredible band, incredible guitarist ✌🏾💯

[@louski331]

a legend hope you feel better love is the shit

[@housseineelhamidi1586]

Great man Great Guitar player Nice guitar good tone and sound

[@llrblaylock9482]

I truly admire this awesome R&B, Rock, Jazz, and classical guitarist. Mr. Isley was taught to play guitar by Jimi Hendrix and inspired by classical composer & R&B musician Chris Jasper. Has Mr. Ernie Isley done his tribute to Jimi Hendrix CD yet? Thanks Ernie for keeping the Hendrix and Isley Brothers legacy alive. Stay Gold my dearest favorite guitarist!

[@kennethbeavers6903]

I finally saw a comment he made on Facebook where he says Hendrix did not teach him. He was a big Santana fan

[@derricklester9210]

And fight the power

[@michaelhenderson1687]

My. Hero l always wanted to play like him and jimi a true master

[@keontecurry7894]

That was the song I remember my grandma played that song @8:35 when I was 5 years old those days

[@Joemusic7034]

A totally mad scientist on guitar that can hit all levels of the game of the music business - A real winner above all guitarist in R&B and Rock & Pop, Jazz and few Gospel players as well. Dunmore Music Of Monee IL

[@craigharrell7144]

I remember back in '92 when the Isley's were inducted into the RRHOF. Rolling Stone did a photo shoot with all the great guitarists from that night. B.B. , Beck, Page, Cropper etc. People wrote in saying:"Where was Neil Young?" ( He of course declined) I was thinking:"Fuck him, where's Ernie Isley?"

[@questkazu]

Awesome Ernie!!!私はとても感動しました!!!!どうもありがとう :)

[@daniboy28]

Fuckin' Virtuoso...

[@derricklester9210]

And Summer breeze

[@joelhoward8211]

He played on that Seals and Crofts song

[@dylantaylor3998]

Damnit! I wish he would do an IK Multimedia Amplitude bundle. His style of soloing is so fluid.

[@bobertramirez6456]

Legend.

[@frankdunlapjr.4134]

I just hate I was not at this particular Namm event I would of loved taking a selfie and holding a conversation with one the guitar heroes who got me playing my Fender strat!!

[@TheBluesmanBlue]

I wish Ernie Isley would have broke away from pop and R&B music a long time ago he would have been a top-line blues artist in the class of Magic Slim Duane Burnside and save the best for last bluesman Buddy Guy just to name a few no matter how you look at it Ernie Isley you are a guitar legend🎸🎤🎼🎵🎶👏👏👏👏

[@GuitarGodsInc1]

A Cross Of Jimi Hendrix Little Wing and Dolly Dagger Ernie's Version of when Jimi lived at there house in Teaneck NJ!

[@derrekcollins6536]

Had this been back in the 1970's the crowd would have been out the door. Instead who is that guy playing He sounds pretty good !!! Lol.

[@timstreety6391]

Ernie got chops.

[@HopeYourHavingFun]

Very few famous guitarist would have the balls to do this. 👍🙂

[@jardestroyer]

is that Dewayne Mcknight near the end? at 20:00?

[@ClifMichaels]

@7:30 My GOD!!!🤯

[@michaelhenderson1687]

How do l define guitar? Jimi hendrix ernie lsley jesse johnson dez dickerson jimi hazel rockey george dr know vernon reid tony macalpine greg howe bb king micki free

[@Lovejazz01]

All those people must be thinking “yeah he’s pretty good, he should get a record deal one day” , they just don’t know do they ? 😮😦😦😦😯😯😧😧😦😯😯😮😮🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@FiresGrace]

Man I would love to know which lipstick pickups he uses in his axe, I LOVE Ernie's tone!!

[@ASSman864]

custom. hand wound for him by fender

[@ASSman864]

man ive been playing footsteps in the dark completely wrong. ernie is such a genuis

[@ASSman864]

And voyage to atlantis completely wrong