Articles

Vic Juris: Tension and Release

By Victor L. Schermer

This article was first published at All About Jazz on July 28, 2009. Vic Juris is one of the premier jazz guitarists in the business today. Perhaps less known than some of his peers, he is nevertheless admired by all of them and has accumulated, since his emergence on the scene in the 1970s, an impressive portfolio of live performances and recordings. His international career has included associations with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Phil Woods, Jimmy Smith, ...

Vic Juris: Omega is the Alpha

By John Kelman

With so much attention paid to established guitar stars like Pat Metheny, John Scofield and Bill Frisell, and the next generation of six-string innovators like Kurt Rosenwinkel, Adam Rogers and Ben Monder, it's no surprise that there are some incredible jewels hiding in plain sight. One such gem is Vic Juris, a guitarist who, if technical aptitude, musical breadth and a vivid, unfettered imagination were the determining factors, would be a household--well, jazz household--name as well. His work, for two ...

Vic Juris: Topflight Guitarist

By R.J. DeLuke

Vic Juris is a well known in the New York City area, and jazz circles in general, for his thoughtful musicianship, his broad stylistic range and the dexterity with which he handles his instrument, whether swinging madly or in a reflective pose. The fact that he can play very well in any mode, not just with a constant barrage of chops, is reflected in his new recording A Second Look (Mel Bay Records) that came out in April. It shows ...

Vic Juris: A Second Look

By John Kelman

Some performers, like a boxer at the sound of the bell, storm out with something to prove. Musical assertiveness can be a good thing; certainly harmonic knowledge, physical dexterity, and stamina are all meaningful attributes of any good player. But in contrast to those who feel the need to place these elements on immediate display are others more relaxed about their abilities and, perhaps, more concerned with the deeper meaning of a composition, something that demands a certain surrender of ...

Vic Juris: Blue Horizon

By John Kelman

Sometimes you put on a disc and from the first note you know it's the real thing; honest, direct and completely unassuming, it resonates instantly. Such is the case with guitarist Vic Juris' new release, Blue Horizon. While there are certain precedents for what he does, he has a sound and approach all his own—and while he may not be the household name that some of his immediate contemporaries are, it is completely mystifying as to why this is so.

Vic Juris: Blue Horizon

By Jim Santella

With a program of his own compositions, guitarist Vic Juris maintains a smooth concept for this dreamy project. A cool and calm sense of serenity pervades, highlighted by the blend of vibraphone and guitar timbres. Spanish classical guitar has left a significant impression as the composer paints pictures of various pastoral themes.

“889," the session's only up-tempo romp, emphasizes the leader's masterful technique and his powerful sense of swing. With Joe Locke, he lights fires along the road ...

Vic Juris Trio: While My Guitar Gently Weeps

By Rob Cline

The operative word in the title of the Vic Juris Trio’s new disc, While My Guitar Gently Weeps , is “gently." In fact, the album is so gentle that it's difficult to listen to—not because the music is unpleasant in any way, but rather because Juris and company fail to grab your attention. While My Guitar Gently Weeps makes excellent background music but never demands to be listened to with concentration.

The album's concept is a fairly good one. Guitarist ...