Cheadle July 2013 Newsletter

7/27/2019 Cheadle July 2013 Newsletter

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Dear fellow jazz guitarists,

Please visit the Cheadle Jazz Guitar Club website occasionally for up-dates etc:

http://cheadlejgc.wix.com/jazz

In this newsletter:

Result of Cheadle Jazz Guitar Club survey.

Tribute to Johnny Smith.

Dates for the 20th North Wales International Jazz Guitar

Weekend.

Biography of classical guitarist Paul Dearden.

Update on Mambo Amps & Guzz Picks.Keith RIchards a jazz guitarist?

New Jazz Guitar Club in Stoke, seeVenues.Items for sale.

SEE BELOW FOR ITEMS FOR SALENew ads - Gibson 1963 L5C Evans 200 watt amp.

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The Cheadle Jazz Guitar Club is now well into its fourthyear, so we thought a survey would be a good idea. We had

a excellent response to our e-mail which listed a fewoptions. You gave some good suggestions and we will

adopt some of these in the future.

The consensus of opinion was to continue the gatheringson a monthly basis, so that is exactly what we plan to do.

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TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY SMITH 1922 - 2013.

JOHNNY SMITH PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS BY TREFOR OWEN.


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I first met Johnny in 1975 when I visited the States for the first time on holiday. One of the things Ihad to do was meet J S. When I arrived in the US I called him and he said, "Get a flight to Colorado

Springs and I'll get the wife (Sandy) to pick you up from the airport". He was so overwhelmingly

friendly that instead of touring the States I stayed in a motel in Colorado Springs for the duration of

my stay. I hung out at his music store during the day, sometimes helping out and jamming with him,

and went out dining most nights. He took me flying, and best of all he used to lend me his natural

Gibson J S so I could practise in the motel! I wrote about my meeting with J S in an early issue of

JJG.

He was the most modest man I ever met! He could not understand the influence he had on the jazz

guitar world.

In 2003 I managed to talk him into making an appearance at the North Wales International JazzGuitar Summer School & Festival when he was presented with a Life Time Achievement Award by

the Mayor of Wrexham. He conducted a workshop for us and played privately, although

unfortunately not on stage. That year, because he was there, we had an overwhelming number of

jazz guitar students and fans.

My personal favourite J S album is "Moods" That was the second album I bought in theearly 60's. The first was "Kessel Plays Standards"

His influence and music will live forever.

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JOHNNY SMITH PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS BY ROY SAINSBURY

My fathers friend and my godfather, Uncle Roy to me, was a jazz guitarenthusiast. Whenever I was at his home he would be playing his latest jazz guitar album

and it was here that I was introduced to the music of two guitar greats, Barney Kessel andJohnny Smith. I remember Uncle Roys comments that these two were as different as

chalk and cheese, but both truly great players.

I soon acquired Johnnys album Moonlight in Vermont and spent many hours analysinghis beautiful arrangements and working out his closely voiced piano-like chords. I wascomplete hooked, but in those days his albums were difficult to find in the UK. On a trip


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to New York in the mid-1970s I set out on foot to find a record shop on Broadway which Ihad heard on the grapevine had some second-hand Johnny Smith albums in stock. Twoand a half hours later I was still plodding along Broadway wishing Id taken a cab, but I

finally arrived at the store. The guy behind the counter looked like a heavy-weightwrestler and customer empathy was evidently not his forte. I asked about the Johnny

Smith albums and he grudgingly searched and handed me four. As I turned the first oneover to the look at the titles he stood menacingly with arms folded and said, I havent got

time to stand here while you read the sleeve notes buddy.Ill have all of them, I said, and made a hasty retreat clutching my albums.

Ive never been disappointed with anything Johnny recorded. His sense of harmony and melody

was exquisite. Everything was executed immaculately and with seemingly effortless technique and

every album contains hours of study material for any serious guitar player. Several great guitar

players came to the fore in the era immediately following WWII but no one else has played quite like

him before or since. One wonders how his immaculate style could have evolved so differently

following so closely after Charlie Christian who had seemed to influence most of the players in those

days. I have never heard anyone his equal as far as pure guitar playing, musicianship, and taste are

concerned.

A few years ago I was invited by Trefor Owen to perform on a tribute concert at whichJohnny would be present at the Wrexham International Guitar Festival. When I arrived at

the hotel the great man was sitting in the bar talking to two fellow jazz guitar giants,Mundell Lowe and Louis Stewart. An hour or so later I found myself alone with Johnny in

the bar, conversing with him as if I had known him all my life. He was charming, withgreat humility, and had a wonderful sense of humour. One of his particularly hilarious

musicians jokes, unprintable here!, has stayed with me and I have passed it on to manyUK musicians.

Fortunately Johnnys recordings are now available on CD and I particularly recommendthe collection of Roost recordings which are now available on the Mosaic label. There

are dozens of stunning tracks to be enjoyed and studied.I think of him often and his death has left a void. As the great Barney Kessel once said,

nobody has ever played the guitar better than Johnny Smith.

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20th NORTH WALES INTERNATIONAL JAZZ GUITAR

WEEKEND

OCTOBER 11th - 13th 2013

GLYNDWR UNIVERSITYMold Road, Wrexham, Wales, LL11 2AW

North Wales Jazz: Now celebrating fourteen years of international jazz guitar events inWrexham.

IMPROVE YOUR JAZZ GUITAR SKILLS AT THIS GREAT VALUE WEEKEND!

Call +44 (0)1745 812260 to enrol and for further info


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or see www.northwalesjazz.org.uk and download the enrolment

form.

Five 2 hour workshops with internationally renowned tutors.

GUEST TUTOR JACK WILKINS

http://www.jackwilkins.com

RESIDENT TUTOR TREFOR OWEN

www.treforowen.com

Group A:Hands-on tuition sessions, i.e. for students who wish to learn in a playing situation.

Group B:Tuition sessions for students who need help in basic skills.

Saturday evening concert (October 12th - 8.30pm) featuring the course tutors plus guests.

Wide choice of reasonably priced accommodation available in Wrexham and thesurrounding area.

Registered Charity No. 508519 President: Martin Taylor MBE.

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For photos of the April jazz weekend please see http://www.northwalesjazz.org.uk/ clickon photos and then the link. To see a video of Randy Johnston playing High Heeled

Sneakers click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9WosAZF_vo

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Recently at the jazz guitar club we have had an excellent Classical player. His name is Paul

Dearden. I asked him to write a few words about himself.

The pieces I played on 16 May 2013 were:

1) Heitor Villa Lobos Prelude No 1 from The Five Preludes (written for the guitar)

2) Manuel Ponce Scherzino Mexicano (written originally for the piano)3) Eric Satie Gymnopodie No 1 (written originally for the piano)

Potted Biography

My name is Paul Dearden, Im 59, I played the violin at school in Oldham when I was 11 but was

smitten by rock guitar at 15. A particular influence was Jimmy Page, guitarist of the band Led

Zeppelin.

I was interested in anything guitar and after a couple of years I saw (and audio recorded) John

Williams on TV playing live at Ronnie Scotts; wow! I was amazed and smitten again. I found a

book on playing classical guitar by Laurindo Almeida and studied it cover to cover.

I am essentially self-taught although I have briefly been to two teachers, at the second teachers

suggestion I did the ABRSM grade 3 exam in Blackpool.

During the mid to late 70s / early 80s I played electric guitar with a handful of bands, mainly

rehearsing, doing pop covers and nothing of note (no pun intended) whilst simultaneously

developing my classical playing.

After marriage and the patter of tiny feet guitar playing very much took a back seat. One divorce

and the more recent break-up of a second relationship brought me to the beginning of 2009 with an

opportunity to play again and try and get my chops together.

Since then (after a bit of practice) Ive been moving in guitaristic circles: folk clubs, pub jam

nights, open mic nights etc. and anywhere theres an interest in what I play.

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Update on Mambo Amps & Guzz Picks

I am still extremely happy with both! In my opinion the Mambo amp is ideal for archtop guitar. A

solid or semi solid guitar will sound great through any amp, but I find an archtop is fussy! I never

have to touch the tone controls no matter what venue I'm playing at, and believe me that is a firstfor me! Try a Mambo amp this Thursday at Bijou.

MAMBO amps www.mambo-amp.co.uk/

I'm still using the GUZZ pick. What I like about the pick is that grip is excellent. If you have a

problem with the pick revolving as you play or find that you continually drop pick, it will solve your

problems. Also, the tone that the pick generates is excellent. The slinky version is now available. If

you would like to try one I will have both at the club this Thursday.

Guzz Picks http://www.guzzguitar.com/

The following was brought to my attention recently:


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Some reports from Glastonbury state that Rolling Stones guitarist Keith RIchards hasbeen consistently voted among the top 50 World's Best Jazz and Blues guitarists.

Who knew?

VENUE INFORMATION:

Try and support these venues as often as you can.

Remember: SUPPORT THE VENUE AND THE VENUE WILLSUPPORT YOU.

New jazz guitar club in Stoke. For further information

contactPaul Matthews [email protected]

Wilmslow Conservative Club, 15, Grove Ave, Wilmslow, SK9 5EG. - 8.45pmFor further info. tel. 01625 528336. Jazzevery Tuesday http://www.myspace.com/grahambrookjazz

HUDDERSFIELD JAZZ GUITAR SOCIETY meets every 1st Tuesday of the month. The Head

of Steam, (next to Huddersfield station),HD1 1JB.

The Southern Jazz Guitar Society. See their website: www.southjazzguitar.org

Every third Thursday of the month - BULLS HEAD, 102, Church Street, Old GlossopDerbyshire SK13 7RN - 8.30pm TREFOR OWEN & ANDY HULME JAZZ GUITARDUO. SITTERS-IN WELCOME! For further Info phone 07423 016888. For directionssee http://www.bulls-head.co.uk

The Railway, Wellington Road, Stockport. 9pm. For further info: Tel 0161 477 3680.This venue operates every Sunday with a varied programme.

Every Tuesday - Jazz at the Bakers Vaults - 9 - 11pm

FREE admission. Bakers Vaults, Market Place, Stockport. Tuesday Jazz at theBakers Vaults. For further info: Tel 07944 743680.

The SLUG & LETTUCE, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury.See creativespaceinfo.blogspot.com for full programme. Jazz every Tuesday 9pm.

North Wales Jazz have weekly and monthly jazz concerts with regular jam sessions &workshops through the year.See their website: www.northwalesjazz.org.uk


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If you have a gig which features jazz guitar, please let meknow and it will be listed in all e-mail shots.

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B M G (Banjo Mandolin & Guitar) Magazine has beenrevived! Click on the link.http://www.banjomandolinguitar.org/news.htm

This was the only guitar magazine around when I started playing in the60's. Unfortunately it folded with the death of the editor and has now been revived. It wasfollowed by "Guitar Player" which was great for jazz in its early years. Then there was a

British magazine "Guitar" which was dedicated to jazz guitar. Didn't last long! This wasfollowed by "Archtop" which was the forerunner of "Just Jazz Guitar Magazine".

IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH FEEDBACK WHENPLAYING YOUR ARCHTOP GUITAR:

See this link from Ged Green about string dampers:

http://www.batten.com/String-Damper-Evolution.html

>MAMBO amps www.mambo-amp.co.uk/

Luthier Ged Green http://www.gedgreen.co.uk for set ups and guitar repairs.

Guzz Picks http://www.guzzguitar.com/

Foulds Guitars - Derby www.fouldsmusic.co.uk

Bulldog Pickups (Huddersfield) www.bulldogpickups.com

Vinyl Tap (Huddersfield) www.vinyltap.co.uk Records, CDs and DVDs

AmplifierCoversOnline.com www.amplifiercoversonline.com CustomisedEquipment Covers On Demand

Frailerswww.frailers.com

Back Alley - Mold & Chester www.backalleymusic.co.uk

Sounds Great www.soundsgreatmusic.com


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REGARDING GEAR FOR SALE, A NUMBER OF ITEMSHAVE BEEN SOLD AS A RESULT OF INCLUSION IN THE

JGC NEWSLETTER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN

AN ITEM YOU HAVE ADVERTISED HAS BEEN SOLD!

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GEAR FOR SALE

De Armond PickupDe Armond `RED` Jazz Guitar pickup, very little used, perfect working order, 190. Tel

Brian Lewis 07776 184111 or 01565 653003, [email protected]

GUITARS

'Gibson 1963 L5C Guitar complete with De Armond Model Gold 1100 AdjustableRhythm Chief floating pickup.The guitar is in excellent condition for its age. All originalapart from a proper replacement hand bound tortoise pickguard and Hiscox case.More information available from John Barclay [email protected] or tel.07740 213891.'


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1947 Gibson L5. Serial number is A 354. All original but refretted. It has a pick up bridge fitted but

the original bridge is included. The scratch plate has been replaced but the original is

included, (poor condition). The case is original but a catch has been replaced. Contact Neil

Nicholson 01202 301961.

Painter model P16,with 23.5"scale. The Painter website is www.painterarchtops.comAsking price 2300 with case will negotiate.

Contact Roy Sainsbury 01902 845246. (mobile), 07866 430926.

E-mail [email protected]

Peerless Jazz City. 575 excellent condition with case.

Peerless Songbird. open to offers. excellent condition with case.

Contact [email protected]

tel. 01204 413436 mobile 07815323651.

A message from Chris Nowell:

2005 Gibson ES 175 Steve Howe Signature complete with Gibson fitted hard case. Very good

condition. Enquiries to Chris Nowell on 07970 496948 or email Chris on

[email protected]

A message from Jack Grocott:

2002 Knight Guitar. Natural with Venetian cutaway, 17" body, Grover Tuners. Comes with Hiscox

hardcase. 1.950.

E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: 07710 054750.

Richwood Artist Series acoustic cutaway model RN70NT. Maccaferri shape 100.

E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: 07710 054750.


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A message from Terry Gillen:

DAngelico NY4.

Made in 2003 by Vestax (higher quality than the later, Excel-made models) in Terada,Japan. Book matched solid spruce top. Maple back, sides and neck. Lovely sunburstfinish. Showroom condition. 7-ply top binding. Ebony fret board with 3-ply binding and

pearl, slashed block inlays. C-shape neck. Grover sealed-back tuners with 'imperial' keys.Inlaid, adjustable, compensated bridge. Kent Armstrong floating mini humbucker. Multiplebound, 'tortoiseshell' pick guard with volume and tone control. 18 inch lower bout givesrich deep tone plugged and unplugged. Full Charlie Chandler Plek setup in summer 2011.Looks fantastic, sounds great and plays beautifully. Original plush lined, deluxe fauxalligator hard case with DA logo. Original purchase receipt. 1,950. [email protected] pictures.

Gibson ES175CESN. 1959 natural. As new with PAFS and original case. Contact BertClark for price: e-mail [email protected]

AMPS & SPEAKER CABINETS

Evans 200 watt amp. I x 12" Eminence speaker - Teak cabinet with padded cover -

450.00 Contact Trefor Owen 07423 016888. or e-mail [email protected]

I have two - 10" Eminence chassis speakers and one - 8" Eminence chassis speaker for sale -15.00 each. Contact Trefor Owen 07423 016888. or e-mail [email protected]

For Sale: Raezers Edge NY8 Guitar speaker cabinet in perfect condition with originalpackaging and slip cover. The best small speaker cabinet for jazz guitar you will find witha big focused sound in a small portable cabinet. Used by many top players for itswonderful jazz sound and portability. I would accept 349 (new price 499). Reason forsale - I have two of them and want to sell one to fund the purchase of a Raezers Edge 12"speaker cabinet. Specifications: 1x8" speaker at 8 ohms, 225 watts, weight 20 lbs, width12'', height 15", depth 9" More info and pictures can be found on the Foulds (UK) and JHale (USA) websites. This cabinet was given 5 stars in all the reviews on the HarmonyCentral website.

Contact Derrick Harris at [email protected]

Speaker Cabinet: 12" McKenzie/Wharfedale Elite 12-200LR 200W 8 Ohm - 50, ONO.Contact Gary Taylor: [email protected] 01942 791745 / 07757 326797

Cheadle July 2013 Newsletter

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