Rare Howard Roberts Performance "Skylark" | The Howard Roberts Sessions

Jay and Brandon react to a live Howard Roberts performance from 1982 in Minneapolis following one of his classic guitar seminars. HR did a concert for the students performing "Skylark".
Guitar - Howard Roberts
Bass - Billy Peterson
Keys - Bobby Peterson
Drums - ?
Part 1 of Minneapolis Series
00:00
01:06
07:13
08:32
12:15

[@freddymclain]

In 1966 I copped a lick off one of Howard's LP's and played it on the gig that night. Someone in the audience hollered 'Howard Roberts!' and it completely freaked me. I couldn't believe that another person in the world was even hip to Howard Roberts. I never did that again.

[@goodairin]

For a decades-long HR fan like me, this is an incredible treat. Enjoy you guys' comments, along with the goose-bump-creating HR playing. Wow!

[@RobertsMusicInstitute]

Thank you all for the unique comments and appreciation! We are so happy to see this footage viewed by folks that really enjoy it. Thanks for Commenting!!

[@chrisrobertson9264]

I studied with Howard in 1975 never got to see him live Thanks Jay my prayer was answered That was awesome to the very max

[@Wyblist1]

So great to hear HR stretch! This is a jazz guitar video for the ages!

[@RobertsMusicInstitute]

Thank you David! I remember your name from conversations with HR. So glad you caught this clip!

[@user-nh6vt2fm8k]

Effortless perfection. This is pure love. We all emulate but there will just never be another HR. I always feel privileged just to listen.

[@RobertsMusicInstitute]

So True!

[@jamessidney2851]

I have several of his records but never heard him play this way. Very cool.

[@rylieriley]

I was at a small music store in Anaheim, California when Roberts took delivery of the Gibson prototype and did a mini-concert with his band. Those of us lucky enough to be in the store at the time were treated to an experience I've never forgotten, and never will. I sat on the carpet mesmerized by what I was hearing. I was young and had never seen a guitarist of Roberts caliber before. I remember him making a comment about the guitar being extremely heavy (it was his first time playing it). I really appreciate the video upload, because this is basically what I witnessed that day. I remember the whole band impressing me. They were outstanding musicians.

[@jazzman347]

That’s the late, great Bobby Peterson on Rhodes (Billy's cousin, formerly of the Buddy Rich band and the Twin Cities' Natural Life with guitarist Mike Elliot)

[@pattypeterson2012]

I just sent this to the bass player, Billy Peterson. He will tell us the drummer.

[@ianlewinson9089]

Thanks for sharing this invaluable footage of HR, I met him when he came to the UK in the 1980s.

[@keithpearson6900]

God dang- your dad was out of this world!!!

[@quayscenes]

No comments on the Phaser in the second clip? These live Howard Roberts clips have made me a huge fan. The concert with Jeff Berlin is out of this world!

[@Flightofphenomena]

HR FTW! wins the internet for today

[@RickBeligni]

Way over the top! Great HR performance.

[@thepracticingguitarist]

What a gem.

[@jsims149]

Thank you very much from across the pond for this wonderful segment hugely appreciated

[@rvincelewis]

Fabulous as always..One of my guitar heroes for sure and think of him every time I play a gig or concert...A huge influence on me and so many other Jazz Players....not just guitarists

[@davidferrara1105]

One of a kind item, HR

[@jac-mimijacaruso3253]

My Lord!! This is just off the charts. Rare footage and to hear HR stretch like this is just incredible. Thank you for this post - what a gift! Thank You

[@scottschnirl6311]

Incredible

[@soloflt1]

That’s the best HR video that I’ve seen. Thanks!!

[@chrislowry213]

Incredible video of Howard Roberts. The commentary very insightful particularly the difference between a live performance and an album recording. Great job guys

[@gregrobel]

Fabulous! Thanks Jay!

[@RozarSmacco]

Amazing stuff…I’m definitely learning the lick at 6:28

[@CorbinAce]

My guitar teacher turned me on to Howard back in the 60s. He has been my idol ever since. I have his albums here somewhere! :O) What a genius.

[@Wyrdo999]

This was unbelievably great! I've watched ALL the live footage of Howard I could find and will continue to do, so thx for this.

[@SilverSeal]

Great to see the master at work. Thank you so much for this amazing content

[@cliffworks748]

Benson amp, I just sent to Ron. Someone in UK sent me 3-4 CDs of HR live at Donte's, priceless. Certainly there must be loads of videos and audio recordings of HR performing giving lessons doing seminars etc at GIT and elsewhere, been searching for those for years it's like searching for the Ark of the Covenant. hey Jay, cliff in tokyo.

[@Russ-oe3yp]

Not much of a player but just bought a Benson 300H myself......works flawlessly too.

[@improvsax]

Sometime late 70s he was at Port Townsend, part of the Centrum Jazz Clinics. He sat in with our group and was so excited about playing and loads of ideas on what to do with the tune. He started out just listening- but it seems he just couldn’t help it and had to play also. Great memory. I did a bunch of ‘jam’ session with Jill back in the old days too.

[@davidosuna6085]

Jay, This is so hip. Just got the link to this from Doug via one of my students. That’s HR at his best. I had so many opportunities to hear him play like this both in LA and here in Seattle. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@gaylenhalbert4391]

This is great. I showed to my guitar playing friend who loved it--------he wished there was close up of Howard's hands running the fret board.

[@agzephyr]

That was incredibly cool to see! You can just hear how much of an absolute virtuoso that man was

[@RobertsMusicInstitute]

Yes Sir, HR makes it sound easy until we pick up a guitar and attempt to play it. Thanks for the feedback!!

[@raymondbaragary2379]

Love it.

[@sixstring4]

At 5:33 he wasn't being comical he was quoting "It Might as well be spring"

[@jean-lucbersou758]

The keyboard doesn' t comp tastefuly . H.R. deserves the highest partners since he plays high voltage MELODIC LINES and his developments are the most perfectly built .

[@robertparkerpiano]

Just scary subtle, like watching a thesaurus explode in slow motion. Some of those licks are beyond definition.

[@billwatson8616]

So, Jay, this is the guitar that you & John Schroeder got to play and forgot to put back in the case? That guitar has a lot of esoteric history too!

[@byronnelson2819]

Great guitar! Pairing with Billy P and.Bobby P, can't go wrong! But who's on drums? Kenny H?

[@RATCLIFFE-LISTENS]

How does he do it? Color Him Funky great! How many Capital Lp’s did Roberts Record ? How many have never been reissued? I would suggest you get ahold of Don Was at Blue Note ( now part Capital located in the Tower). It would be a huge acknowledgment of Howard to get a package of his stuff out on the Label. Don Was is a stellar musician and President of Blue Note. Peace

[@majorpayne8373]

HR was judged GUILTY!!! on 11 separate counts of being a dirty, funky, swamp, bossa nova guitar player.

[@chineechik]

Are you ever going to re-release any of the HR educational books?

[@RobertsMusicInstitute]

I have been working on it for years, but have run into road blocks along the way through the estate. However, RMI does have permission to share the books with our students. All of Howards work is part of the Roberts Music Institute Curriculum. Thanks for asking!!

[@SIRONEDRAGON]

Jay thank you for making this video I didn't realize this was the number one prototype I always said it was the black guitar that Chuck Burge had made but you speaking about it being the number one did a close up and I tried to get the colors out and sure enough I recognize this guitar kzbin.infoxu4ya9kBnQI

[@user-ze5cw1mo1j]

HR was judged GUILTY!!! for being a dirty, funky, swamp bossa nova guitar player.