Recommended Listening
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"Soloduo" - featuring guitarist Joe Diorio with the great pianist, Wally Cirillo. When I was studying with Vinnie Bredice in Miami in the '70s, I often used to go hear these guys. Coincidentally, Joe had been a student of Vinnie's in Chicago. When I mentioned to Vinnie that Wally and Joe were playing together, I remember that his response held a great deal of respect for Wally Cirillo as a player and an educator.
They played on the same stage with Ira Sullivan (also from Chicago) and some of the best local and internationally renown musicians at weekly jams in a South Dade Unitarian church. (Don't ever let anyone ever tell you that Michel Legrand doesn't swing). Back then, the jazz scene in Miami was small but vibrant with a lot of good music being played.
Joe's and Wally's approach is a bit outside and the album may be near impossible to find (on Spitball Records, no less) but the search is worth it.
They played on the same stage with Ira Sullivan (also from Chicago) and some of the best local and internationally renown musicians at weekly jams in a South Dade Unitarian church. (Don't ever let anyone ever tell you that Michel Legrand doesn't swing). Back then, the jazz scene in Miami was small but vibrant with a lot of good music being played.
Joe's and Wally's approach is a bit outside and the album may be near impossible to find (on Spitball Records, no less) but the search is worth it.
"question and answer" - Pat Metheny's 1990 CD of jazz standards and originals with Dave Holland/bass and Roy Haynes/drums. This is an excellent session - the live double album with this material is also worth a listen.
"Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane" - A 1992 re-issue of the original 1958 session. The combination of these two unlikely partners along with sidemen Tommy Flanagan/piano, Paul Chambers/bass and Jimmy Cobb/drums make for a truly remarkable recording.
"Two For The Road" - Herb Ellis and Joe Pass; two great players. This is one of my all-time favorites from the '70s. I learned a lot from listening to this album.
"The Blue Note Re-Issue Series - Wes Montgomery/Beginnings" - I don't know if this is out on CD. It was released in 1976 and is a compilation of some of Wes' recordings from 1957 - 1959. It features great playing by Wes and also has Freddie Hubbard's first appearance on record.
"Ed Bickert/Don Thompson" (1978) - This album presents an opportunity to enjoy Ed's playing in an intimate live setting with bass accompaniment. There is lots of interesting interaction between the two players.
As well, there are a number of CDs available featuring Ed and talented Canadian guitarist Lorne Lofsy.
As well, there are a number of CDs available featuring Ed and talented Canadian guitarist Lorne Lofsy.
"Bill Evans/Montreaux II" (1970) - I've included this particular album because Bill Evans is considered by many to be the guitar player's piano player. His musical abilities were such that key changes and bar lines created no obstacles in the path of stating brilliant musical ideas. There are many great jazz guitarists who have been inspired by Bill Evans.
This album highlights three tunes that sit especially well on the guitar. They are "How My Heart Sings", "I Hear A Rhapsody" and "Very Early". The trio is rounded out with Eddie Gomez on bass and Marty Morrell on drums.
This record has been re-issued on CD. Also check out "Undercurrent" featuring Bill Evans with Jim Hall.
This album highlights three tunes that sit especially well on the guitar. They are "How My Heart Sings", "I Hear A Rhapsody" and "Very Early". The trio is rounded out with Eddie Gomez on bass and Marty Morrell on drums.
This record has been re-issued on CD. Also check out "Undercurrent" featuring Bill Evans with Jim Hall.
