Jazz Articles

Frank Gambale: Natural Selection

by Jack Huntley
February 20, 2010

Frank Gambale, early Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) whiz-kid and longtime guitarist in the Chick Corea Elektric Band, is known for his sweep-picking technique, fretboard virtuosity, and penchant for fusion jazz. But with his 2006 outing, Natural High (Wombat Records), and now 2010's Natural Selection, Gambale has shown off a more straight-ahead style that wonderfully couples his technical artistry with a focused, melodic swing. Aided on Natural Selection by the superb pianist, Otmaro Ruiz, and the equally interesting ...

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 ...