JOHNNY SMITH INTERVIEW

[@finleytron]

I have been attempting to play the guitar for almost 60 years now and have been inspired by many great pickers both known and unknown. Of all those wonderful people Johnny Smith stands out as the near perfect example of a man who never settled for anything but the most inspiring, most lyrical and astounding virtuosity of anyone who ever picked up one of these instruments. His taste and approach are legendary and we all owe him a debt of gratitude. He should be required listening for anyone who wants to begin to understand just how complex and expressive the guitar really is. I bless the day I heard him and was and still am inspired and healed by his incredible talent. He surely will never be forgotten.

[@BlackRaven156]

WOW, he is so full of gems of brilliance! I learned so much in a short hour. So I glad I stumbled on this interview. This man is a treasure.

[@tomross9452]

Isn't he!

[@robertgodhard3248]

This is timeless. Johnny,like Tal Farlow,so kind and gentle. His explanations and ability to convey his thoughts are like his playing-impecable. His music is just an extension of his person,they are the same. A very great comunicator,subtle and unasuming,truthful and profound. Thankyou so much.

[@DrPickerCGP]

Thanks for sharing this gem, Tom. I took a long lesson from Johnny in the late 1950s. When I watch this, I realize where a lot of my understanding of music and the guitar comes from. He basically took an inventory of what I knew and then gave me a giant to-do list. The lesson is still unfolding… John

[@joelkeeley793]

John Knowles John, I’ve come to realize how much Johnny influenced greats like Pass, Wes Montgomery, and of course Martin Taylor! Lucky you to have gotten a lesson! Hope you’re well friend!

[@dragongirlguitar]

John Knowles you are an extremely lucky man. There has never been another one like Johnny smith.

[@jazzguitarstudentufc-fan3908]

thanks for sharing. what is the name of the first song in this video?

[@richardfredrick8838]

@@jazzguitarstudentufc-fan3908 "Send In The Clowns"

[@TheGattonmaster]

Wish they had live footage of Johny playing in New Yoork in the 50's his prime: AWESOME

[@MrMjp58]

I’ve got an old issue of Guitar magazine (UK) from August ‘76, in which there is a great interview with Johnny. It’s full of wit, wisdom and humour, as well as brilliant bits of musicians gossip etc.

[@rudyqualls75]

I met Johnny in 85 at his store in Colorado Springs, I was awestruck and he played me his favorite "I'm old fashioned", autographed his teaching volume 1 and offered his Johnny Smith 25th anniversary Gibson model in his display case, for a very good price, and gave me a contact to study with from one of his prior students (Mike Elliot). He was most cordial and a great consular. I spent 2 hours with him, he was a kind and outstanding person. He is my mark for excellence.

[@Grindstaff09]

Thanks. I plan to look up Mike Elliot. What a beautiful happening. What was his store like?

[@rudyqualls75]

@@Grindstaff09 Well first off: The store in Colorado Springs was as I recall it in a tree-lined park plaza, wooden storefront. Entering the store there were a few glass counters and in the rear more like a repair center. Johnny as he introduced himself we talked about his music and one of his books "Interpretations" which I had tried to learn his style from, he laughed and told me several errors in this book. He explained his use of Bass Clef for the lower registers when writing music and I bought the Johnny Smith's complete 2 volume fundamentals book which he autographed. He listened to me and encouraged me to continue, He knew my friend and teacher, a student of George Van Epps named Pat McCauly living at the time in Tucson. He pulled out of the display case a JS archtop Gibson 25th anniversary model and offered it to me for $1500, a price at the time too expensive for me but in hindsight an unbelievable price. He talked about his songs, his large hands and, his original entrance into music on a cornet before he met the guitar. He played the tune I'm Old Fashioned as is favorite. Listening to him play and the tone he gets was so different, made in heaven. Unfortunately, his student and professional guitar player Mike Elliott, a great player whom I had a few lessons, essentially out of his 2 books of songs, was not the gentleman or teacher like Johnny. Mike passed away a few years ago. Johnny Smith was a gifted teacher, person and, my friend.

[@Grindstaff09]

@@rudyqualls75 Thank you so much for this. I did look up Mike Elliot, and am intrigued with his style. I know now not all great players are good teachers. I plan to look into I'm Old Fashioned more.

[@jameschirillo2364]

What a beautiful document left us by someone whose technique and tone on the instrument remain unparalleled. At this level, one cannot get better, only different.

[@dcw57915]

This is wonderful as I've been a fan of Mr. Smith since listening to his rendition of "The Boy Next Door" at a Starbucks in Boston many years ago. I fell in love with his tone and technique and bought as many albums as I could of his. "The Sound of the Johnny Smith Guitar" is still one of my all-time favorite albums. So glad you were one of his students and am thankful you preserved this national treasure for us all to benefit. Thank you, Tom.

[@tomross9452]

Yes I'm so lucky. I still keep his drop D . . . tomross1.bandcamp.com/track/groovin-with-the-whispering-sandman

[@jamesbonin1277]

Learned more in an hour than in 43 years. Amazing

[@tomross9452]

I'm glad. Besides being a master, he's a great teacher.

[@VelvetToneMusic]

Wow, this is priceless for all of us Johnny Smith fans. Great that he's sitting there talking in-depth about his awesome technique. Dude was a monster, and by all accounts a great guy. Thank you for sharing.

[@seanvine39]

Wes Montgomery: I could never play that perfect. And that’s Johnny Smith. Perfect. Not a fudged note or rhythm ever. Anywhere. If we could all play like that we would.

[@davidarnold5197]

This is an amazing treat! Thank you so much for posting. I had the honor to meet Johnny Smith at his music store in 1982 (I was 13). I had just gotten my first electric guitar (a rebranded Hondo Les Paul called a "Seville") at a pawn shop. The guitar had some issues and my dad knew Mr. Smith, so we took it to him to fix. He worked on it and set it up beautifully. I still have it and it is still, 33 years later, the best playing guitar I have ever laid hands on. The man was not only a master musician, but a master luthier, and an amazing human being.

[@woodyrussell]

Absolute gold! Thank you for capturing and sharing this incredible insight from a master

[@BBippy]

These guys like Smith grew up in the error of no good records, no good teachers. It's amazing what they accomplished and the foundation they provided us. Real pioneers.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

According to Smith's bio, he had joined the U.S. Army determined to become a pilot, but could not due to a vision defect with his left eye. He was given a choice between joining the army band or going to mechanic's school. He was handed a coronet and an instruction book, and given two weeks to master both. He played day and night and passed his audition - and it wasn't even on guitar. Smith was the sort of musical genius whose enormous talents would have been expressed no matter which instrument he picked up. He was the complete package: He could play a number of instruments, including guitar, at a high level; he could compose, arrange and orchestrate; he could sight-read; he knew musical theory. He was a bandleader but also did numerous sessions, including ones demanding the reading of scores. All of this - plus his legendary career in jazz and popular music - would be sufficient to secure his place in history, but perhaps the most-impressive thing about the man was not music; it was his love for his family. When Smith's wife died in child-birth in 1957, Smith gave up his career to settle down in Colorado Springs, CO to open and run a music store and raise his children. He walked away from jazz music and the bright lights of NYC in the prime of his career. Years later, when he made a come-back - his children were adults by then - Smith's talents were still very evident and undimmed by time. Smith passed away in 2013 at the age of ninety.

[@LfunkeyA]

era. also, there was no such era.

[@tomross9452]

Glad to see this added on the JS site. And I appreciate everyone taking the time to hear this master player, improviser, arranger, composer, raconteur, and teacher.

[@tomross9452]

Hi Kevin! Glad you're playing. Here's a recent tune. tomross1.bandcamp.com/track/groovin-with-the-whispering-sandman

[@jazzguitarstudentufc-fan3908]

hi Tom thanks for sharing this great video. What is the name of the first song?

[@tomross9452]

@@jazzguitarstudentufc-fan3908 Send In the Clowns. The other solo piece is 'Mexican Folk Song' but in fact composed.

[@causetti]

Great interview. At 13:05 John explains that the technique he uses for the pick has specific rules on the use of the elbow or the wrist and the movement down or up. The reason is tha he played a lot with a orchestra and when you have to play a phrase together other musicians you have to follow these rules. I totally agree.

[@gregoryl869]

I just discovered this little gem of a video and wanted to thank you, Tom, for taking the time to post it publicly. I've admired Johnny Smith for years, and in this interview we get to see his generous and truly humble nature, as well as flashes of his brilliance as a musician - he's beyond just being a guitarist. Thanks again.

[@tomross9452]

Yes. John was gentlemanly always, and an enthusiastic teacher.

[@PedroBellora]

It's good to hear Johnny Smith talking about all this. Thanks for sharing!!

[@tomross9452]

My pleasure! His spirit was generous, as you can see.

[@BernieHollandMusic]

The combination of Tom's intelligent approach to enquiry and Johnny's magnanimous response make this a lesson to treasure for all time - what a privilege to be able to turn my computer on and share in this storehouse of wisdom and insight from a guitarist of the highest caliber - thank you Tom - and bless you Johhny !

[@tomross9452]

So glad you liked it.

[@OTIStheREALcarlos]

Priceless video. Very intelligent and educated talk by one of the most unique innovators of jazz guitar . And a chance to see Johnny Smith totally in his own element comfortably displaying his knowledge and technique in his performances here.What a solo on "Just Friends". I have never seen any other historic legend run from left to right on that neck like Johnny Smith. He explored and mastered fingerings for arpeggios and other melodic runs that were a first in possibilities of guitar technique.

[@tomross9452]

Yes. The 'up and down' fingering choices favor the 'best'-sounding versions of the note, in a rough diagonal pattern from low to high. For instance, he'd play an A on the 2nd string rather than the first.

[@SuperCarver2011]

I've followed Johnny from the early 60s, when I first got introduced to guitar by my teacher who was into jazz and Johnny Smith's Moonlight in Vermont, as well as Wes Montgomery. I listened to a lot of these recordings as well as Django Rheinhardt and Stephan Grappelly. Good that you managed to capture his ideas and comments of this great guitar jazz legend before he left us..maybe he is still playing those beautiful melodic chords on Moonlight..somewhere in jazz heaven.

[@johnwellings3225]

Johnny Smith comes across as a really approachable Nice guy.....and i love his guitar work, over his career

[@NotUrBiz]

I haven't enjoyed an interview with a famous guitarist this much in years. Thank you for sharing. Great player and even greater gentleman.

[@billohaire2841]

Thanks for sharing this. I learned a lot about the guitar from the Great Mr. Smith.

Seeing Johnny Smith actually play two full chord melodies - am I dreaming? Thank you Tom! His playing, insights, sincerity and overall kindness and friendliness are unmatched. What a great talent and humble human being. A real "guitar hero" if there ever was one.

[@pak51able]

Johnny Smith was simply the best guitarist I have ever heard. He is awesome. Thanks for the post.

[@BobbyJardine-vs8yc]

I love Johnny Smith.He and Harry Volpe were always gracious and kind to Django Reinhardt when he would come to the US.Johnny Smith was revered by Django as a great guitar player.His arrangements are fantastic.

[@Ella_Rae_Feingold]

Thank you 🙏🏼 what a treat you recorded this ❤

[@danadler49]

Thanks, Tom! What a treasure!

[@seanvine39]

What an amazing person. A really well rounded, deep individual. And from what I hear, I great family man as well.

[@jansjostrom5213]

Johnny Smith has always been one of my favorite guitarists although I am myself a classical guitarist.This video really is invaluable.Thank you so much for sharing!

[@surprisedmike]

Some of the most intelligent, thoughtful commentary on guitar playing that I've ever heard. Clearly Johnny thought hard about how to play and his comments really make a lot of sense. Thanks!

[@yawnjones]

35:35 about improvising... Johnny was on point about not liking modes and everyone sounds the same when they use the modes still holds true today !! lol

[@guitarttimman]

Learning scales and modes very useful. I use them as a guide, but i alter them to fit my style. Check me out. I sound like me.

[@misterlarryb]

WOW! Thank you SO much, Tom! I deeply regret not making more of an effort to visit such a musical genius decades ago. Our family legend is that my musician and flight instructor dad (a.k.a. Jerry Shard) became friends with Johnny in New York through music and flying, helping him with his piloting. This video is my visit with Johnny that I never had. Thank you for this gift!

[@DaniloMarrone]

Master Johnny Smith! This is priceless advice. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@adsvx]

One of my great regrets in life is never meeting Mr Smith or at the very least calling him before he died to say how much I loved his music and artistry and what a huge influence he was on my playing. He seems like just the sweetest man and based on comments I've read here and elsewhere it seems that's exactly what he was: A very sweet guy who played like nobody else. Thank you for this video.

[@adsvx]

Thanks for sharing that. You're a lucky man but you know that. He truly was a great master.

[@archtopeddy]

Thanks so much Tom for posting this incredible video of Johnny Smith. I had the fortune of meeting him for a breakfast chat in January 2013, a few months before Johnny died. Fellow guitarist Alan Joseph and I had a loose and wide-ranging talk with Johnny about Django, Charlie Christian, George Barnes, Benny Goodman, Slim Gaillard, Buck Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Bobby Montoya, and wrapping Bing Crosby in newspapers! The part I remember the most, however, is when--in the midst of the discussion--he suddenly turned to me with his penetrating blue eyes and proclaimed, "I ALWAYS loved the guitar." Those words chilled me. To me, there was no greater truth in that moment in time than when this 90 year old guitar legend spoke those words. It was his love of the guitar that was the foundation of all the music he shared with us fellow guitarists and the world.

[@tomross9452]

Certainly, and although guitar was much of his worldview, he was exemplary in his alertness to the musical habits of other instruments: organ, flute, violin, tenor, accordion, all influenced his playing, don't you think?

[@archtopeddy]

Tom Ross No doubt Tom. He was a musician with much bigger ears than just his chosen instrument -- and as you said, they all influenced his playing much to our reward!

[@danwarren1642]

Thank you for sharing this, lots of great tips from a master of his craft!

[@ChristopherBasile9]

Delightful, thank you for sharing!

[@tomross9452]

***** I'm glad you dug it.

[@chumleyshaver7942]

@47:15 Johnny plays the chords to "Moonlight in Vermont" with the camera right on his fingers. The Holy Grail on a platter!

[@davidweinstock4977]

his mel bay method book is the most comprehensive book out there, for anyone who wants to learn the fingerboard. my experience with him echoes all those who knew him well enough to know what a great guy he was. r.i.p one great person.

[@numdud]

Thanks for posting that Johnny Smith interview.

[@mrfrontranger7911]

at 52 minutes I found my self with a big ole grin !!!! wonderful cant describe this vid.

[@anfiorsceal]

This is fantastic! ...thank you, Tom, for taking the trouble to preserve the accumulated wisdom of this master for posterity before he departed. He was obviously very fond of you as he seems to be very open and forthcoming. As you say in the blurb, his insights apply to musicians of all genres - clips like these make youtube such wonderful resource .

[@tomross9452]

My pleasure.

[@tomross9452]

yes, very lucky to have encountered him. I'll put up FB stories about him from time to time, and I have at least one lesson with him, a ballad probably, on cassette. Also some VHS footage of him with the Quartet here in CO.

[@NickPycks6]

a jazz guitar treasure THANK YOU!

[@tomross9452]

I'm so glad we have him.

[@TheJofrica]

Excellent! I learned so much from this! Thanks for uploading and sharing with everybody

[@karllee2680]

this was a very nice video interview johnny smith was always one of my favorite thanks

[@Srvtecej]

Thank you for sharing. He was a national treasure. One of the best.

[@freddym223]

Not only was he a great guitarist , but also a very nice person ! R.I.P. JOHNNY !

[@boogierandy7547]

thank you for this interview.

[@MPfrance]

WoW - This is fantastic! I've loved Johnny's playing since I was a kid (and have "re-purposed" as much of his musicality as I could). THANKS for posting this!!

[@jamestylergoyns2980]

wow......., tear in my eye

[@jazzboxrecordings3414]

This is an amazing interview! There's so much to learn from this and his stories are great. Really loved his Golden Earring's example at the beginning with the down strokes followed by alternate picking. I thought he did it finger style.

[@philipbrown2225]

Fantastic , thanks so much for uploading this !

[@nanstev92]

This is a treasure, thanks so much for sharing this wonderful video! Steve

[@tomross9452]

Steve Nancy Glad to do it.

[@SurferJoe1]

One of my heroes- so happy to discover this!

[@tomross9452]

+Surfer Joe Yes we're very lucky.

[@christiankurtboutot5658]

Soooooo greeeaaat !!!!!! What a humility, humanity..thaaaanks so muuuuch for sharing...

[@josephbutler9665]

Tom, this made my day to say the least. Super Thanks to you. Stuff like this is Christmas for guitarists.

[@donmilland7606]

I got this Johnny Smith Verve album from my uncle 40 years ago. I still have it. Everyone song blew me away (still). Among others, it has his rendition of Golden earrings, Here's That Rainy Day, and Yesterdays (OMG)

[@MPfrance]

Johnny was SUCH a beautiful man and brilliant player! This is an AMAZING video. Thanks for sharing!!

[@tomross9452]

thanks so much.

[@epf1961]

Wow! An hour of wisdom from a man of such humility, wisdom and wit! So refreshing to hear cats of his generation discuss jazz. Young players are so caught up with studying modes, copying solos, researching tricks and tips and trying to find quick and dirty shortcuts to playing jazz.. Here is yet another guy who learned using his brains and common sense and ears, figuring out what works and what doesn’t, approaching music from a practical standpoint and not relying on anything else but his own talent and hard work. He didn’t have Aebersold, or teachers, or books, or tablature, or online courses.. He was just a man with a guitar and a focus. Playing as you would sing… keeping the melody clear… avoiding stale patterns and copied riffs… building solos from simple to complex… making everything sound smooth and logical: This has all been said before, but so many players miss some or all of these concepts. I feel like I’m a better player just by listening to this guy speak about jazz from his decades of experience. And the kicker of it all is, it’s SIMPLE. People tend to overcomplicate music, and approach jazz from such a cerebral/theoretical angle that it takes all the spontaneity, fun and musicality out of it. We need more Johnny Smiths to cut through the highbrow crap and bring us back to the basics, namely that, at its core, jazz is art and not science.

[@tomross9452]

epf1961 Amen there. He had a lot of practice talking that way during his seminars and workshops. So we've got it distilled here, with both the downs and ups of his self-taught wisdom.

[@thomasclements1462]

Thank you for posting this. What a sensational player and instructor Johnny Smith was and still is, due to various documentaries posted, such as this particular gem!

[@mikeg888]

The man was one of the very few grand masters and humble about it at that! What a pleasure to watch this! Thanks!

[@tomross9452]

We're lucky to have him.

[@cliffworks4321]

how wonderful thank you kindly, I wish all students of Johnny Smith, HR and others master player educators would share their lessons with us. Ted Green, Barbara and many students have done so and are keeping his legacy alive. Where are all the students of HR I have been asking for years? cliff in tokyo

[@votemiles]

This is priceless, thank you.

[@roymusic251]

Thank you Tom,this is wonderful.

[@tomross9452]

He's a model of restraint, among other things. A ballad he taught me: tomross1.bandcamp.com/album/all-ballads-shut-up-play-yer-guitar-2

[@johnnymac5228]

Back in the early 90's someone gave me a trade magazine with Johnny playing a Gretsch in an ad. I sent it to Johnny and he autographed it for me I still have it.Such a gentleman.

[@tomross9452]

Later he turned against Gretsch . . .

[@christiangarcia9245]

This is wonderful material!!! Thank you for making this public

[@guitboot]

Just Beautiful , thanks Tom I and many other guitarists have been hopeful something like this would eventually surface.Thank you for sharing it.

[@tomross9452]

My pleasure. A clarification on Johnny's declaration that faster playing happens in the wrist, not the forearm: yes. But he councils to practice slow ('speed will come naturally'), and when that speed is properly called upon, I still say that it originates in the forearm and even higher, even if you can't see them working. John was a good violin player as well. Correct me, but I think many fiddle players would agree on this point.

[@musket-hc1fc]

@@tomross9452 I agree with you about the forearm.

[@132petrit]

Very deep thoughts and what a great musician.

[@SandraLATVxxx2009]

It took only a few seconds of the Black Album to realize that this man is beyond exceptional. And in Terms of many of the cuts on that album, the amplified sound of his guitar is perfect and it is an amplified sound as opposed to the sound on Golden Earring. This interview is priceless is so many ways but his humble manner can't hide the genius that is his approach to playing guitar and music. Just to get his tone and feel on a simple line is something special because his picking technique is so strong. To me, you have Johnny Smith and John McLaughlin at the top of guitar technique and expressing themselves via he guitar

[@tomross9452]

Oh yes. He referred to himself as 'crippled' because he uses a pick instead of fingers. Silly. I use his drop D only: tomross1.bandcamp.com/track/summertime-chapu

[@NickRatnieks]

He does not describe using the pick as being "crippled". He says that because of his other interests he would often have broken nails- which would mean as a finger style player, he would be crippled. He chooses to stick with the pick- and he was a master of plectrum guitar.

[@InglisAcademy]

Absolutely wonderful, thanks for sharing!

[@CampChoctawVacationGirl]

Very nice, interview! I just became a Beverly Kenney, fan and found Johnny Smith, too! Thanks for sharing, Tom! You're pretty terrific, yourself!

[@benjaminwarner2667]

Thank you so much for this video

[@alldowntheline]

Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing this gem!

[@tomross9452]

Right, there are lessons for all of us that he offers freely.

[@strings41]

This video should have several million views!

[@Grindstaff09]

Love what he is playing solo at the end

[@Wolferal]

This is an absolute TREASURE!

[@bobjazz11]

This is Brilliant!!

[@tomross9452]

+Bob Hardy Thanks. He was a good explainer as well as superb player.

[@joedenisco6033]

Hi Tom, I was one of the 1st to watch this video when you originally posted it back in March. I've watched it probably 20 times since! This is a real treasure for those of us who were only able to admire the man from a far. I cant thank you enough for posting this. Joe D.

[@tomross9452]

Joe DeNisco I'm so glad.

[@RangaluHsu]

Thanks for sharing❤

[@foorkite]

What an absolute treasure

[@terrywho22]

Fantastic!!! Thanks so much for posting this.

[@raneyxam]

thanks a lot for that sharing sir, much appreciated.

[@Joel_Powell]

Tom - I am currently studying Out of Nowhere and will soon be transcribing Johnny's version of it. That led me here. What a wonderful video and I wished I had come across Johnny's music much earlier in my life - I am studying jazz guitar in my 50s :). Your playing on the blues at the end is very nice. Thanks again for posting. This made my day!

[@neilferris2412]

A treasure right here, thanks for posting!

[@rmcfee]

Incredible comping!

[@andreasfetzer7559]

What a treasure for musicians !

[@donlessnau3983]

Outstanding. Thanks a lot.

[@GraniteQuarrier]

Thank you so much for posting

[@gueldaswing]

Thank you so much !

[@wbjams]

Great video , Tom, so great for those of us influenced by Johnny , who never got to meet, study with, or see him perform live. The version of "Send in the Clowns" was influenced by Harry Leahey , who studied with Johnny and Dennis Sandole . Harry sent Johnny a copy of his "Still Waters" LP in 1980. I remember Harry proudly showing me at one of my lessons, the note Johnny sent in reply, thanking him for the album , and stating "I love Send in the Clowns, especially, and plan on learning some of your beautiful arrangement". I recorded my tribute to Johnny and Harry on my cd "Walt Bibinger Trio:Live" back in 1998. Search "Wally's Waltz/Still Waters" Walt Bibinger Trio , if Interested. Thanks again!

[@ultraparadoxical7610]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@PetCemetaryDude]

Thank you Tom for sharing!!!

[@christiangarcia9245]

“Mexican Piece” is a classical guitar tune named “Scherzino Mexicano” by Manuel Ponce

[@jazzman1954]

A gentleman and a scholar!

[@ArkRed1]

I got to see Johnny live at a little bistro in Denver called, "Shane's After Dark" of something like that. I stood there with my jaw covering my boots. What a great player. He let me get a snapshot of him, and I wish I still had it. His guitar break on Bye Bye Blackbird on the Columbia A Perfect Match album with Art Van Damme still gives me chills. So clean, so nice. RIP Mr. Smith, you were the greatest.

[@TheGattonmaster]

My parents saw Johny there 4 times in early 70's I thought it was called Shanners. But it's Shane's after dark thank you ! My Dad and Uncle ran a Johny Smith music center in Wheatridge Colorado 1969-1971. I saw Johny do a seminar, later on early 2000s talked to him on phone, he mailed me a signed photo and a pick! He's right up there with Wes Montgomery and Dango Reinhardt. I wish there was video of Johny live in the 50's in NYC, some of the best playing EVER !

[@TheGattonmaster]

My Parents were at the same club you were at , Shane's after dark in Denver, and they said the same thing you did; JAWS DROPPING !

[@deangelico]

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful video.

[@tomross9452]

I'm glad it's finally available. Are you a jazz player?

[@deangelico]

Tom Ross No Tom, sadly not.I used to own a Gibson L7 many years ago,but was never at a point to justify it. I just prefer to listen to my heroes now

[@tomross9452]

Tom Ross your nickname caught my eye. Around 1970 John called me saying someone had left a D'Angelico in his store for consignment. I rushed over, didn't bargain, and bought the Excel for $2300. It's the subject of the photos for tomross1.bandcamp.com/album/all-ballads-shut-up-play-yer-guitar-2

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

Complete Mastery of guitar, did this guy drop in from deep space.WOW,I LOVE the song he does called GHOST OF A CHANCE. To imagine on top of that a top notch comping technique.

[@tomross9452]

Yes. He taught me mostly arrangements of ballads, with inner voice leading; less about improvising.

[@joelgarcia8655]

Can't thank you enough for uploading!

[@tomross9452]

I'm glad it's getting use.

[@Beulzabob]

Thanks for sharing this. Must have been a great privilege to study with this master.

[@tomross9452]

Indeed lucky.