Articles by Bob Patterson

Classic Jazz Guitar

by Bob Patterson
October 3, 2015

This article was originally published in August 2005. To pick the top ten of anything is a tough task. When it comes to the subject of jazz guitar, the task is enormously difficult. However, these are the ten most influential guitarists (in my opinion), arranged in somewhat chronological order. Each recording listed is the one that either put them on the map or serves as an excellent example of their style. Because of the guitar's highly individualized nature, ...

Jimmy Bruno: Live at Birdland

by Bob Patterson
February 1, 1998

Most jazz guitarists know Jimmy Bruno's playing and a few have been lucky enough to see him live. Those who haven't now have a chance with this, his first live recording for Concord.The CD opens with f8, a tune by Jimmy. The name comes from his hobby: photography. It's a pure swinger with a driving backbeat in the A sections. Jimmy's solo starts out in a relatively safe zone, but he turns up the heat over the descending ...

John Basile Quartet: The Desmond Project

by Bob Patterson
June 1, 1997

As the title suggests, this CD is a tribute to the great Cool Jazz saxophonist of Dave Brubeck fame. The music is actually inspired from the Paul Desmond / Jim Hall ensemble of the early 60s. Just as that group created supple, understated music of great beauty, this new aggregation with guitarist John Basile at the helm makes the same eloquent statement.

The group is composed of Basile on guitar, Allen Mezquida on alto, David Finck on bass ...

Ron Affif: Vierd Blues

by Bob Patterson
March 1, 1997

This CD sneaks up on you. At first, you expect a traditional bebop guitar performance. There are many out there right now in the Alden/Bruno vein, and to be compared to such masters is no small feat. But this recording has something unique to itself: serious attitude. Affif combines chops and a sense of beauty with a “no B.S." state of mind, producing an engaging musical experience. It is made all the more satisfying due to the musicianship of Affif's ...

Wes Montgomery: Encores, Vol.1: Body & Soul

by Bob Patterson
February 1, 1997

I should preface this by emphasizing that this is not the same “Body & Soul" CD that was reviewed by Adrian Ingram in the Novermber '96 Just Jazz Guitar magazine. This is a reissue of tracks and alternate takes from “Movin Along", “Grooveyard" and “Bags Meets Wes", reissued in the the 12-CD boxed set in 1992. This disc is a must-buy for Wes historians, as there are tacks here that are heard nowhere else (unless you want to shell out ...