The Pace Report: "Within the Mind of a Jazz Guitarist" The John Abercrombie Interview

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• published: 21 Jan 2013
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Jazz guitarist John Abercrombie's career has been a pendulum of successes of having playing all styles of jazz music. During the late 1960's into the early 1970's, John played fusion-rock in the group Dreams featuring Randy and Michael Brecker, Billy Cobham, and Don Grolnick. In the group Gateway he paired up with bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette. John has also collaborated with guitarist Ralph Towner as a duo. His latest ECM Records release "Within A Song" again has him collaborating with saxophonist Joe Lovano, Drew Gress on bass, and Joey Baron on drums. The recording was based on John's major musical influence, NEA Jazz Master and guitarist, Jim Hall. Hall's collaboration on recording's "Interplay" with pianist Bill Evans and Sonny Rollins's "The Bridge" set the standard for John's passion for jazz music and was inspired to study Hall's phrasings throughout his career. "Within A Song" features three original compositions and covers music by Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis, other important influences on John. The Greenwich, Connecticut native began playing the guitar in his early teens. John was drawn to the sounds of guitarist Barney Kessel. Upon graduation from high school John attended Berklee College of Music where he also used to go see the great jazz luminaries like Monk and Trane. After finishing Berklee he'd go on to record and tour with the likes of Barry Miles, Johnny Hammond Smith, Gato Barbieri, and Gil Evans. John is one of a few recording artists that have recorded for the same record label throughout his career. For over four decades John has recorded for ECM Records founded by recording pioneer and visionary Manfred Eicher. Look for John to hit the jazz clubs soon. For upcoming tour dates and info please visit John online at www.johnabercrombie.com or www.facebook.com/john.abercrombie