Pasquale Grasso Talks to Jazz Guitar Today

[@raulcaldeira8071]

He was born in a musical ambient, he started playing at a very early age, he had good teachers, he had parents who disciplined him to practice and motivated him, he had a healthy competitive relation with his brother, he had good ears and a great passion and love for this music. All the conditions were reunited for the creation of a virtuoso

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed Raul! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@sscholle]

plus incredibly spidery fingers. Look at that pinky finger. I'll never have that capacity.

[@guitargod6997]

Exactly! Questions I would have asked. Did Pasquale learn to play piano? Did he receive formal training in classical guitar at a young age or later in his graduate studies? His playing is very pianistic which is synergistic with classical and jazz guitar. Pasquale is refreshingly Italian - honest, open, crediting his brother and family with his success. Bravo! . .

[@patrickkelly9621]

You left out one variable in the equation... thats Barry Harris!

[@dr.brianjudedelimaphd743]

@@patrickkelly9621exactly… there is a story that Barry used to tell us about the “ best “ young players in the world would be these 2 young Italian brothers …. He was correct…. Barry also mentioned a phenomenon - Italian stride and bebop player …Rossano

[@guitargod6997]

Pasquale Grasso! What can one say? My wife is from Padova and I lived for ten years in Italy. Wonderful experience. Pasquale is so genuine and his family so talented. Bravo, and forza Pasquale!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Grazie Jay! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@travelingman9763]

His home environment was the best to grasp long lost work ethics in the country who invented Jazz and Blues! There is no easy route and practice matters. Trane..Martin Taylor..Joe Henderson didn't have perfect pitch!

[@AndrewJanusson]

Easily one of the greatest guitarists of his generation, if not all generations. Thank you for this!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Very glad you enjoyed this Andrew! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@Strings-jg2to]

Him and Matteo Mancuso

[@aleksandarstojceski3139]

You know the Greats are all inventors.

[@relayer88]

Bravo ! This is such an inspiring interview. Pasquale’s have to be one of the most exciting jazz guitarists in the world. I wish him a long career with lots of recognition🙏🏼

[@jazzguitartoday]

Very glad you liked this one! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@anfiorsceal]

One of your very best interviews! Bravissimo!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Grazie! Very glad you liked this! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@5geezers]

What a player! What a sweet guy! His love for music is so infectious. Thank you both!!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@gliuto]

Bellissima intervista, Pasquale veramente un bravo ragazzo, simpaticissimo! Un gigante della chitarra jazz.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Siamo molto contenti che ti sia piaciuto questo intervista Pier. Grazie per aver guardato e per il tuo contributo! Sentiti libero di mettere Mi piace, Condividere e Iscriverti al nostro canale. Ciao!

[@JetDar3]

great virtuoso and nice guy

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

What an exceptional musician. This was a treat. I was surprised at the tone he was getting without an amp.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Very glad you enjoyed this. We all learn something interesting with every interview. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@acwatercolors]

His guitar is from Trenier, a super great luthier living south of France. And P.Grasso playing for sure is for something too :)

[@greeremalachi926]

Nice! His song reminds me of Jim Hall's, Subsequently. Smooth, thanks.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Kind of does Greere. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@horiarizea8258]

fantastic interview, thank you for sharing this!!!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Very glad you enjoyed this Horia! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@davidaraujo927]

Thanks for this! Pasquale is a true phenom! One of the greatest of all time... if not the greatest.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Glad you enjoyed this David! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@nemedie82]

Thank you for this gift!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Very welcome!Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@nemedie82]

@@jazzguitartoday yeah man, I was already a subscriber! 🔝

[@jazzguitartoday]

@@nemedie82 Excellent!

[@IRACEMABABU]

It's what happens when you have a great teacher saying to a young gifted kid that que question isn't about what is possible or impossible to play on his instrument but finding out how it can be done, and the kid take it really seriously...

[@jazzguitartoday]

True that. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@alichamas63]

I really love what he said about the relationship between you as a person and your music, and how fixing your issues will help your music. So true. Some of the warmest musicians (like Pasquale, or Julian Lage) are the warmest people.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Very glad you liked this! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@kevinlynch2183]

Amazing guitarist! Great interview!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Glad you liked this one Kevin! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@giringuha4229]

thanks!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@eohippusone]

He's the best right now! Pianistic style of guitar.

[@jazzguitartoday]

True that! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@robertomacheda592]

Amazing

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed Roberto! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@zagortriplex100]

Thanks! Great Pasquale!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Prego Giampaolo! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@RiffCollector]

What an absolutely stunning guitarist. I love his playing and seems like a great guy also. Thanks for the content. Sounds like a beautiful piano player on guitar.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Very glad you enjoyed this! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@barryo5158]

Wow, this is a great talk! Thank you.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Glad you liked it Barry! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@CarolEderGuitarist]

Hooray for Classical guitar, how I started and yea it has made a difference for me in my pursuit of Jazz guitar. Last year I had the privilege to hear Pascali live at an intimate venue with the great vocalist phenom Samara Joy. I hope they tour again and come back. I will make a point to drop everything I’m doing. Before that I didn’t know anything about him.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Very nice Carol. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@TVtubeamps]

Best jazz guitarist!!!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@colindawson1530]

Wonderful interview with one of my fav musicians !!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Glad you found this Colin! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@anthonydecicco398]

Pasquale...love your guitar playing...looking forward to seeing you live again in NYC...when will you join Frank Vignola's guitar night at Birdland? That would be awesome to see...

[@jazzguitartoday]

Glad you liked this Anthony. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@pnojazz]

Smoke gets in your eyes! 🔥

[@jazzguitartoday]

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[@paulgerards6494]

Nice ... almost human at last ;) THX!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Yes Paul! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@nacho543]

Such an inspiration!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@mondoinc]

There are so many of detractors of his "old-styled" harmonic and melodic approach, but I really think he IS moving forward the way have been traditionally played, no one ever dared to perform such pianistic tunes in such an accomplished way, improvising so many harmonised melodies and playing such wide yet full chord voicings. Surely not revolutionized music but a specific stream of jazz guitar without any doubt! Let's keep in mind we're talking about archtop guitars and not talking about electric guitars, which I consider two separate instruments with a lot in common but different potentials each. When kids will realize this and get inspired, they could definitely make huge improvements to the guitar if spoused to more contemporary sound and repertoire.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed Giancarlo. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@OfficialDanieleGottardo]

Great interview!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Glad you enjoyed it Daniele. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@rupertlay7684]

Oh my Mr Grasso is a revelation, he is phenomenal!!!, a really nice person it seems, and he most definitely is a lover of music. He is an amazing guitarist/musician. I am soo happy there is a young person carru Bud's torch... Bud Powell deserves it.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed Rupert. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@kwonza-gamingandanime5727]

I always had a disconnect with bebop for years-trad jazz, brazilian, cool, etc I could really find and love stuff in them but bebop never spoke to me. I would listen to Bud and Bird per the usual recommendations and while I was able to appreciate their technical prowess and creativity, it didn't spark for me until FINALLY a horn player friend casually told me about Pasquale.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Very cool Kwonza. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@abuyco]

OMG, listening to Bud Powell @3ys old!

[@jazzguitartoday]

OK Albert... Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@acwatercolors]

Super musician and super guy! Salve di Nizza !

[@acwatercolors]

Great interview bybthe way, thanks !

[@jazzguitartoday]

@@acwatercolors Prego! :)

[@TheTonomancer]

Milwaukee!! Yes. I'm there

[@jazzguitartoday]

Excellent! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@TerriYoung-n4h]

This story is pretty good🎉

[@vincentkowski8466]

Pasquale is the greatest guitarist IMO on the scene right now. He also has octopus fingers like Tal Farlow.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed Vincent! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@vincentkowski8466]

@@jazzguitartoday love your channel. Was happy you did my good friend Doug Martin. 👍🎶. God bless

[@alanblakeguitarist]

Nice interview. I see Pasquale at Matt's my guitar guy. Seems like a nice guy and a really good player

[@jazzguitartoday]

Glad you liked it Alan. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@DaniloMarrone]

Mr. Grasso is simply amazing. Wonderful interview. Another jazz guitarist who has the technical facility and ability to play anything on guitar is Swedish virtuoso, Ulf Wakenius. It would be amazing to see Mr. Wakenius and Mr. Grasso perform together some day. Thanks for the inspiring insights.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Very welcomer Danilo! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@lorenzopetrocca]

fantastico

[@jazzguitartoday]

Grazie Lorenzo! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@lorenzopetrocca]

@@jazzguitartoday done!

[@jazzguitartoday]

@@lorenzopetrocca Excellent!

[@ZazenFlyin]

Imo Pasquale is setting the bar for the next generation of guitarist.

[@jazzguitartoday]

True that! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@ZRJZZZZZ]

Wow. He has an enormous left hand where the fingers have complete independence. I’ve never seen anything like it outside of classical guitar, and even then …

[@jazzguitartoday]

Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel Jonathan.

[@hh-iz6es]

He truly is an incredible guitarist. What's the name of the tune at 29:07?

[@jazzguitartoday]

If Pasquale sees your question, he might be able to respond. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@Bennyplays]

Thelonious Monk's 'Pannonica'.

[@jazzguitartoday]

@@Bennyplays Indeed Benny! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@michaelwilkens6865]

Around 1:50 he says his favorite pianists were Bud Powell, then WHO? & Thelonius Monk... I couldn't recognize the name... (I guess due to the combination of audio quality, accent, etc...)

[@michaelwilkens6865]

Oh. Elmo Hope!!! That makes perfect sense.

[@jazzguitartoday]

@@michaelwilkens6865 There you go... Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@MatteoSacilotto]

Pasquale is amazing!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed Matteo! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@MatteoSacilotto]

@@jazzguitartoday Hahaha! Already subscribed!!!

[@jazzguitartoday]

@@MatteoSacilotto Excellent!

[@frednormanguitarist6603]

Mr. Bob Bakert: A wonderful interview with my favorite guitarist! Some great information and interesting background on Pasquale. I would like to recommend an amplifier to him, but maybe it would be better to contact him directly. How would I do that? Also, I appreciated the comments he made about how musicians dress. On my YT Channel, I usually dress casually. On the job (I mostly play solo-jazz guitar), I always wear a suit and tie. I just think that's how professional musicians should present themselves. Once again, thank you Bob and Pasquale for such a nice interview...a job well done!

[@bobbakert]

Hi Fred, Thanks for the compliments and support, it is very appreciated. I recommend you contact Pasquale either through the contact on his website or maybe try messenger on Facebook... He's a great guy and an amazing player. Best, Bob

[@acwatercolors]

Una domanda per Pasquale Grasso : please come in south of France, Nice or Juan-les-pins ! 🙏

[@jazzguitartoday]

If Pasquale sees your "Domanda", he can think about it! :)

[@stefanotornatore2632]

Pasquale Grasso and Claudio Quartarone are the greatest jazz guitarist right not imo. It's incredible that both are from South Italy! Great interview btw

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed Stefano. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@TerriYoung-n4h]

What little town in Italy I'm curious

[@giorgiogabrieli]

Pasquale is the one.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Very true Giorgio! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@giorgiogabrieli]

@@jazzguitartoday thank's I'm always in touch with your video, I really appreciate your job. Thank's a lot.

[@jazzguitartoday]

@@giorgiogabrieli Cool Beans! :)

[@yohenson]

27:34 what tune is that? the counterpoint one? it sounds so amazing man! wow! i am guessing a bird tune? but i don;t recognize it. we're so lucky to live in this era where guitar has being evolved to so much levels

[@jazzguitartoday]

If Pasquale sees your question, he might be able to answer. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@yohenson]

he called it in the end. it's called : "Chasing the bird"!

[@jazzguitartoday]

@@yohenson Good catch!

[@yohenson]

@@jazzguitartoday also, perhaps you remember-did he mentioned Lennie tristano in this talk? I can't find it in the transcript

[@TerriYoung-n4h]

Happy face cuteness very🎉🎉🎉 the story I like the story very sweet story about guitar 🎸

[@jazzguitartoday]

Very glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@redbuzz2030]

Did anyone catch those last few minutes of twinkle as the Great Pasquale Grasso describes a certain musician he loves performing with?

[@jazzguitartoday]

Yes we did Red... Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@pickinstone]

For the record--and anyone who is listening--can we STOP comparing Pasquale Grasso to Joe Pass. Don't get me wrong, they both play beautifully--and Joe Pass did a lot to bring solo guitar into its own... along with George Van Eps--who is seldom mentioned. Pasquale plays like Bud Powell, like Barry Harris, like Charlie Parker, and like Dizzy. Listen to his inspiration--Elmo Hope and Bud Powell. He doesn't sound like Joe Pass--and that should be a revelation to the jazz guitar community. Pasquale Grasso plays bebop lines that few parallel on the guitar--he doesn't play single lines like Joe Pass either. True bebop--a new bar has been raised. Would have been great to hear him play with Jimmy Raney.

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

Well said

[@jazzguitartoday]

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[@dkstott29]

He's a great player, no doubt. Way too many notes for my personal taste.

[@jazzguitartoday]

@@dkstott29 To each his own Dave... Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@JamesWalker-ky5yr]

So true, but he has the virtuosity of Pass. I saw Pass in the '70s and he mesmerized the room. I'd like to see Grasso. To me, the newer players don't have the same soul as the greats like Dexter Gordon and Powell. It's almost like jazz has become a new classical music and the new players are divas who never knew the hardships of the era when jazz was being created. I saw the Marsalis brothers in the '80s and they were weak sauce. They played with VSOP once and I thought they might pee their pants. That said, glad jazz is being played, it's the greatest achievement in American music.

[@mr.b4444]

What, William Ash not playing guitar anymore? That's kinda weird, his son is a great guitarist too. Pasquale you need to make it out here to Phoenix AZ, particularly at the Musical Instrument Museum, lots of great players have been through here and a great venue. Looking forward to that new album.

[@Bennyplays]

William Ash stopped performing on guitar several years ago. He plays bass mostly in Latin jazz settings. Check him out on the Los Hacheros Tiny Desk concert on KZbin. That said, he’s recently played a couple of low key gigs on guitar at Mezzrow, on trios led by Ari Roland. He still sounds great!

[@jazzguitartoday]

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[@jazzguitartoday]

@@Bennyplays Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@bryan3dguitar]

Your entry photo. Is that any way to hold a guitar Pasquale ?

[@jazzguitartoday]

But of course! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@132petrit]

Hello Pasquale you are incredible player, huh😅 what kind strings you using? Amazing 👍

[@jazzguitartoday]

If Pasquale sees your question, he might be able to tell you. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@YuxinZhou13]

2:07 10:00

[@jazzguitartoday]

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[@stanrichards5150]

❤

[@jazzguitartoday]

Glad you liked Stan! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@YuxinZhou13]

6:05

[@acwatercolors]

39:40 Sublim

[@jazzguitartoday]

Glad you like! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@acwatercolors]

Already done ! Thank you for yoir channel 👍

[@jazzguitartoday]

@@acwatercolors Welcome! :)

[@yohenson]

17:32 incredible! his mom actually learned notes by herself so she could teach them! he completely ignored that...i guess he mis-understood or something. its no easy feat to learn how to read, and even more to make your children play them

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed!

[@travelingman9763]

I was waiting to hear name the Beatles, Mozart, Kenny G and the like as main influences. I'm shocked LMAO right on Pasquale..remind them!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@travelingman9763]

​​@@jazzguitartodayHis is the most humble and nature based interview heard among hundreds. There is no b.s or political based cowardices instead raw honesty! Nay I contact you via email?

[@Guscastillonj]

What amp is that?

[@Bennyplays]

A VA-185G by Vintage47 Amps.

[@jazzguitartoday]

@@Bennyplays Thanks Benny!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Good question Gus. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@darrenmcgowen2705]

Jack Wilkins next!!!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Perhaps Darren... Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@MarkInLA]

Maybe we could say Pasquale picked up where Lenny Breau left off......

[@jazzguitartoday]

Perhaps Mark... Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@Strings-jg2to]

He plays it like a piano.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Interesting take Strings... Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@coltonjones9850]

Pasquale is obviously amazing, but I wouldn’t say he’s really moving anything forward. To me, he sounds like Bud Powell on guitar. Breathtakingly amazing, but not new.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Interesting take Colton. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@onofrioeliotanzarella2305]

Pasquale, dire che sei un fenomeno e' riduttivo.

[@jazzguitartoday]

Molto Grazie Onofrio! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@boco1951]

Study with Barry Harris as a little kid? Wow!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed Bo! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@gilgamesh2832]

Who the heck is listening to Thelonios Monk as a 3 yr old 😂

[@jazzguitartoday]

It is never too early. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@MattAyars]

Might be better than Julian…

[@jazzguitartoday]

Possibly Matt. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@intuneorange]

That's not a good way to carry your guitar

[@jazzguitartoday]

Indeed. Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.

[@andreacaputo6965]

Grandissimo Pasquale!!!

[@jazzguitartoday]

Grazie Andrea! Thanks for watching and for your input! Please feel free to Like, Share and Subscribe to our channel.