Monthly Motivation-Art Tatum Trio
Of all the bands I wish I could have seen live, the Art Tatum Trio with Tiny Grimes and Slam Stewart is at the top of my list. They were only around for a couple of years, ’43 to ’45. I really like the contrast of Tiny’s playing against Art Tatum’s insanely fast and accurate improvisations. It wouldn’t have been an easy job for any guitar player and I think what Tiny plays fits perfectly.
Here’s one from the EP above that I found years ago.
And here’s some great footage of them playing 52nd street at the Three Deuces Club, N.Y.C. Hope you dig it as much as I do.
My friend Tommy Harkenrider has some great instructional videos on youtube including this one on Tiny Grimes chording.
The Chambered Maple Pancake Guitar
I used to work with a grouchy old timer who referred to all flat-type guitars as pancakes. So until I come up with a better name, I’m calling these pancakes.
This is the first of two guitars that I’ve recently built, loosely based on Deke Dickerson’s ‘’Jodie Pilliod’’ guitar built by P.A. Bigsby.
Frank ordered his with a 24.625’’ scale and features my C.A.R. pickups, custom vibrato arm and vibrato.
A few photos…
Sam Raver’s 1953 Kay Demo
Here’s a quick demo of Sam’s Kay. I’m really happy with the way my C.A.R. pickups sound mounted on this big archtop. The neck position has that hollow wooden tone that’s great for jazz and swing, and the middle position is nice and sparkly for Travis picking. But it’s the bridge position that I’m particularly drawn to, the problem is, I find it almost impossible to play anything other than Grady Martin licks, it’s almost like “instant Grady” on the bridge pickup.
You’ll have to excuse the old house wiring/amp hum.
Monthly Motivation-Johnny Smith
I thought Johnny Smith would be appropriate for this month’s motivation. His 1953 LP Moonlight in Vermont gets a lot of play around here.
Johnny’s playing is so far over my head I rarely attempt to work any of it out, but years back I did work out his chord melody to Moonlight in Vermont. Of all the chops/licks I’ve stolen from my musical heroes, I’ve probably gotten the most mileage out of the seven bars below.
His chord voicing’s are a bit of a stretch at first but after doing them for a while they’ll start to feel natural. So if you want to sound like a jazzer, take the time to work this out, you’ll be glad you did. RIP Mr. Smith
