Jazz Articles about Frank Gambale

Frank Gambale: Natural High

by John Kelman
February 2, 2006

Committed fusioners might be disappointed when they read the back cover of shred-meister Frank Gambale's latest release, Natural High. After all, the Aussie guitarist is best-known for his high-volume, high-velocity chops as a member of Chick Corea's Elektric Band and on his own series of albums, including Raison D'être (Wombat, 2004)--which, featuring his innovative Neauveau Tuning, represented both consolidation and departure.

The personnel on Natural High looks promising. Otmaro Ruiz may not be a household name, but he's made significant ...

Frank Gambale: Raison D'etre

by Dan McClenaghan
April 22, 2004

I have to admit that I lost track of guitarist Frank Gambale over the years. His sound jumped out at me for the first time on the Chick Corea Elektric Band's Inside Out (GRP Records, '90). That disc--which I suppose falls into the fusion category--is a minor classic; and Gambale's contribution--borne out by a fresh listen with more experienced ears--is considerable, especially in the harmonics department. Which makes Raison D'être all the more intriguing, since the guitarist has taken his ...

Frank Gambale: Raison D'etre

by John Kelman
April 9, 2004

Guitarists are a funny lot; so many of them, not content with the harmonic/intervallic potentials of standard guitar tuning, experiment with a myriad of alternate tunings, sometimes with the expressed purpose of emulating the kind of chromatic chordal capabilities of the piano. As if there isn't enough to explore with the standard instrument, they feel a burning need to reinvent its harmonic capabilities, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Take fusion-burner Frank Gambale who, with his Neauveau Tuning, has ...

Frank Gambale: Raison D'etre

by Jerry D'Souza
April 7, 2004

When Frank Gambale discovered a new tuning for the guitar by which he could get piano harmonies that were not previously possible, he patented it as “Nouveau Tuning.” This new tuning does open up the guitar; the voicing is brighter and brings in a nice enough harmonic touch. He uses a double-neck Yamaha guitar that gives him both his Nouveau Tuning and the ambit of a regular guitar.

Gambale divides his time between nods to rock and music ...

Frank Gambale - Stuart Hamm - Steve Smith: GHS3

by Glenn Astarita
December 4, 2002

The super trio reunites again for a set brimming with pummeling rhythms and joyous musings. Here, Frank Gambale employs both electric and acoustic guitars amid his now infamous chord sweeping techniques and mesmerizing single note leads. As this mighty rhythm section offers a rather ominous delivery, whether Gambale is exploring lyrically rich themes or driving the proceedings into the ozone.

The band provides an entertaining mix, consisting of jazzy hooks, climactically oriented crescendos and difficult to perform ...

Frank Gambale: Coming To Your Senses

by John W. Patterson
November 1, 2001

This is solid, good-n-sassy jazz guitar with a melodic-bent, fusion-driven flow. Gambale is know for his various approaches on his solo albums from smooth melodic jazz, to jazz fusion, to real scorching, shredded rockers and all points in-between. His playing is virtuoso, fully lyrical, phrasings to die for, technical wizardy, sweep picking mastery, speed, grace, and soul.Being the critic I am, I will admit some Gambale releases just didn’t do it for me as his range of styles ...

Gambale/Hamm/Smith: The Light Beyond

by Todd S. Jenkins
October 1, 2000

Half of Vital Information unites with a former chops-metal icon to produce their second masterfully hewn fusion disc. Gambale and Smith are true giants of the fusion industry, and Hamm proved long ago that he was up to more than backing hair-god guitarists like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. From the very first notes the astonishing empathy and gifts of these three men are in your face. This is a 5K run through a musical mine field, the players deftly ...