I found a Joe Pass album in the cutouts of our local kinda like five and dime store in New Haven CT when I was 14. The album was Simplicity. I bought it because it had a pretty guitar on the cover. It cost me 59 cents. I'd been playing guitar for about a year. I dropped the needle in the groove and it changed my life. HOLY CRAP! WHAT WAS THAT? The best 59 cents I ever spent. He is in my all time top five. The Segovia of jazz guitar.
I have loved this man for 35 years. I admire a lot of guitarists, but none reach me like Joe. Unlike anyone I've ever heard, Lenny Breau, Ted Greene, George VanEps, it always seemed to me that whatever musical idea entered Joe's mind could be instantly executed - no predetermined arrangements, just music at the speed of thought. One of the most instinctive, natural musicians I've ever heard.
I remember in an issue of Guitar World magazine, there was a section with 100 tips from great guitarists. Joe Pass' tip was "Learn everything you know in every key" and I said "THAT CAN'T BE DONE. AND WHY BOTHER?".
I know a few reasons why this is done most involve artist artist endorsements existing for a different brand or a likely hood of a new one likely to be negotiated. Also concert or video sponsorship. I'm doing a TV spot next week and No Logos or brand names on shirts. BTW That is an Ibanez Joe Pass model or a prototype for it.
"summertime....lets try it in this key...how bout this one...Let me pop it in to this key right quick..." joe pass can play any song in any key, any groove, any tempo, with a tight litte impromptu arrangement. i havent seen this vid in years. I use to rent the vhs from the local library like ten years ago....thanks so much for the post.
The only justification I have for playing jazz guitar in public is that Joe Pass is no longer alive. As soon as he beat his addictions, he played better than anybody, right up to his death. This is great, but he played great a lot. He is also one of the few artists in the history of jazz who is at his best either solo or with other players. Everything he recorded that I know of is worth a listen.
Couldn't say it better myself. I was smitten in the 70's as a budding teen guitar player. Got hooked on jazz and then drifted off to other musical regions. About a year ago I thought I would reacquaint myself with Joe. He is truly a master that will be know a hundred years from now. Such a balance of technique and art. He doesn't say "look at how well I play". You hear a voice that just sings.... It just happens that his technique is amazing.
I found a Joe Pass album in the cutouts of our local kinda like five and dime store in New Haven CT when I was 14. The album was Simplicity. I bought it because it had a pretty guitar on the cover. It cost me 59 cents. I'd been playing guitar for about a year. I dropped the needle in the groove and it changed my life. HOLY CRAP! WHAT WAS THAT? The best 59 cents I ever spent. He is in my all time top five. The Segovia of jazz guitar.
mikecalzone 9 months ago
One of the best tperformance of Joe! Thanke you for the upload
Korsaro1 1 year ago
I'm amazed every time I watch this, no matter how many times I've seen it.
rsvitale 1 year ago
grovin freaking HARD!!!
loren1283 1 year ago
Gotta love this,just him,a guitar,an amp,and the magic's here..
loumaTROM 1 year ago
I have loved this man for 35 years. I admire a lot of guitarists, but none reach me like Joe. Unlike anyone I've ever heard, Lenny Breau, Ted Greene, George VanEps, it always seemed to me that whatever musical idea entered Joe's mind could be instantly executed - no predetermined arrangements, just music at the speed of thought. One of the most instinctive, natural musicians I've ever heard.
Gminor7 1 year ago
Simply The BEST all around jazz guitar player of all time!!
rosatijazz23 1 year ago
I remember in an issue of Guitar World magazine, there was a section with 100 tips from great guitarists. Joe Pass' tip was "Learn everything you know in every key" and I said "THAT CAN'T BE DONE. AND WHY BOTHER?".
I'm so glad to be wrong.
Lahed92801 1 year ago
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What a joy - the peak of personal guitar playing. Anything, any key, any time.
johnsammers 1 year ago
What a joy - the peak of personal guitar playing. Anything, any key, any time.
johnsammers 1 year ago
SIMPLY AMAZING!!!
Veranek 1 year ago
Comment removed
mahavishnuozzy 2 years ago
Does anybody know why he cover his guitar brand with the peace of band?
SamiGundogdu 2 years ago
I know a few reasons why this is done most involve artist artist endorsements existing for a different brand or a likely hood of a new one likely to be negotiated. Also concert or video sponsorship. I'm doing a TV spot next week and No Logos or brand names on shirts. BTW That is an Ibanez Joe Pass model or a prototype for it.
Geepsterr 2 years ago
@SamiGundogdu He's playing his Ibanez JP-20 (a fantastic guitar), but he had no endorsement deal with Ibanez at the time.
SPGGuitar251 1 year ago
what does that mean. "he was dead on the 2 nights he played" .
4578a 2 years ago
4578a, "dead on" means he was flawless, perfect, awesome.
deepkeel65 2 years ago
uh...
hampork 3 years ago
"summertime....lets try it in this key...how bout this one...Let me pop it in to this key right quick..." joe pass can play any song in any key, any groove, any tempo, with a tight litte impromptu arrangement. i havent seen this vid in years. I use to rent the vhs from the local library like ten years ago....thanks so much for the post.
dankeewolnir4042 3 years ago 8
incredible...as always.
seoirseosial 3 years ago 3
Monstro da guita
Músico para ficar na história
luckseven 3 years ago 3
The only justification I have for playing jazz guitar in public is that Joe Pass is no longer alive. As soon as he beat his addictions, he played better than anybody, right up to his death. This is great, but he played great a lot. He is also one of the few artists in the history of jazz who is at his best either solo or with other players. Everything he recorded that I know of is worth a listen.
davidking56 3 years ago
Couldn't say it better myself. I was smitten in the 70's as a budding teen guitar player. Got hooked on jazz and then drifted off to other musical regions. About a year ago I thought I would reacquaint myself with Joe. He is truly a master that will be know a hundred years from now. Such a balance of technique and art. He doesn't say "look at how well I play". You hear a voice that just sings.... It just happens that his technique is amazing.
twcal 2 years ago 3
Joe was dead on the two nights he played this festival. Does anyone out there know if there was an album released?
zapblaster 3 years ago
Simply beautiful, as always when it comes to Joe.
johanjazz 4 years ago