international Guitar Night at The Blue Note! Part #1

I just came back from the Blue Note Jazz Club where I sat right at the stage for an A W E S O M E International Guitar Night which included the following great Virtuoso Guitarists: BRIAN GORE , MARTIN TAYLOR, CELSO MICHADO and SOLORAZAF! Before I jump up and down in my post I must say that this was my second International Guitar Night put together by Fingerstyle guitarist BRIAN GORE. My first was last year at a Club called The Highlight. My reason for going last year was two of my favorite guitar Monsters of two different Guitar disciplines : Adrian  Legg and Marco Pereira. They were joined last year by an awesome Gypsy Jazz Guitarist - Lulo Reinhardt who was simply A M A Z I N G !!!

Tonight's Guitar night was another HUMDINGER!!!!! As is the established format, Brain is the leader who starts off by playing 3 compositions and each Virtuoso in turn follows with three selections and that is followed by the stage with all 4 guitarists playing various groupings. I just wanted to kick off a two part report on this great event with some observations on my part and in part two I will share my notes with you on performance details!

I, as usual showed up a couple of hours early so I could get my meal eaten and of course get a prime seat. I get so anxious that I rest most of the day so my concentration can be razor sharp.Doors opened at 6pm and I was in at 6:15, so I had no problem getting a great seat for the 8pm performance. I was at the Club last night and was going to treat myself to John Pizzarelli and Ramsey Lewis, but there was only standing room at the bar available. I had planned to catch them then head over to The Fat Cat club for a 9:30 to 1am gig by the great Sheryl Bailey. I skipped both due to the dead time in between gigs which made me want tonight's special gig even more attractive. We are so lucky here in New York to be able to enjoy so many musical events. Anyway I had the company at my table of a young kid who sat across from me just before starting time but before that,a couple sat next to me and the wife ( Alice ) introduced her and husband to me and we spent some time getting acquainted. What a lovely twosome. We were joined by another young man who is a computer specialist and it seems that Alice's husband is a professor in the Sciences so he and the young man had a stimulating discussion about their work. Heavy duty talk here!!! Back to the gig. Starting with Brian, as I noticed last year, his playing of steel string acoustic guitar is so beautiful! I am a stickler for beautiful tone and his is so full and round. He spends most of his articulation with the hand mid hole. I should have asked him the name of the Luthier! What a joy to listen to.The new kid on the block was this great Guitarist/singer from Madagascar SOLORAZAF! He played a "souped up" what looked like a "TRAVEL" guitar but what a great and beautiful sound. Then Brain anointed Martin Taylor as Guitar King. Martin's big super career has been long and distinguished which as a young kid made him a household name when he toured with the legendary STEPHAN GRAPELLI for several years. The other notable Guitarist who coupled with the greatness of Grapelli was legendary DJANGO REINHARDT!!!!! Last on the end was the Brilliant Guitarist and percussionist CELSO MACHADO!!! What a tremendous ball of creativity this man is! I've known about him for quite a few years and heard him in concert at the 92nd street "Y" at a Brazilian Guitar Marathon. I will have more about this astounding artist in part two where I get in down to the business of describing all the little details of their performances! The only thing that plagues the BLUE NOTE are the small tables but I will say that the staff is thoroughly professional,cheerful and super quick with your food/drink service. They only employ the finest musicians in the world so it is worth it to spend some big bucks for a special musical experience. Stay tuned for part 2 of my review. It is 12.03 Tuesday morning and I just want to take a break and get myself ready for it. Getting my little note book and figuring out how much to clobber you with! It's all good folks and I am excited to be able to share my experience with you. SEE YA SOON!