Jazz Guitar Great Johnny Smith Dies (Recap)
. Smith was a guitarist's guitarist. He had a unique style - fluid melody played almost entirely from chord voicings, alt tunings, and an almost piano-sense of harmony. Barney Kessel and Bill Frisell are among his ardent fans. Smith picked up the guitar via his banjo-playing father. By 13 he was giving guitar lessons, fuelled by his love of Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian on the radio. Glenn Miller later tried to hire him, but was overruled by U.S. Army officials (Smith was then in the Air Corps.) Smith played Ed Sullivan's and Benny Goodman's shows and for the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Symphony and NBC Symphony Orchestras. He recorded with Benny Goodman in 1951 and then formed his own jazz group � playing regularly at the famous Birdland club, where Charlie Parker became a keen admirer. His "Walk, Don't Run" was first covered by Chet Atkins before The Ventures made it a smash-hit. In 1980, he published a guitar tutor, The Complete Johnny Smith Approach to Guitar, and in 1986 the University of Colorado awarded him an honorary doctorate. - Listen to one of his songs here. Gibson.com is an official news provider for the antiMusic.com.
...end |
Live: Myles Kennedy's Art of Letting Go U.S. Tour Launches In Joliet
Sites and Sounds: In Memory of Dickey Betts Show Coming to Macon, GA
5 Starr: Ringo Starr - Look Up
Fred Durst, Dave Navarro and Jacoby Shaddix In New Trailer for 'Everyone Dies' Documentary
Bayside Reveal 25 years Of Errors Tour Dates
The Jesus Lizard Share 'Westside' Ahead Of U.S. Tour
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Get Animated For 'Stitches' Video
Nine Inch Nails Announce Peel It Back Tour
Dream Theater Take Fans On Tour With 'Midnight Messiah' Video
The Doobie Brothers Announce New Album 'Walk This Road'
Singled Out: Envy Of None's Stygian Waves