Part One: Melody
Focuses on single note soloing. Learn how to effortlessly solo through complex chord changes.
Joe Pass
Joe Pass did the near-impossible. He was able to play up-tempo versions of bop tunes such as "Cherokee" and "How High the Moon" unaccompanied on the guitar. Unlike Stanley Jordan, Pass used conventional (but superb) technique, and his Virtuoso series on Pablo still sounds remarkable decades later.
Joe Pass had a false start in his career. He played in a few swing bands (including Tony Pastor's) before graduating from high school, and was with Charlie Barnet for a time in 1947. But after serving in the military, Pass became a drug addict, serving time in prison and essentially wasting a decade. He emerged in 1962 with a record cut at Synanon, made a bit of a stir with his For Django set, recorded several other albums for Pacific Jazz and World Pacific, and performed with Gerald Wilson, Les McCann, George Shearing, and Benny Goodman (1973).
However, in general Pass maintained a low
profile in Los Angeles until he was signed by Norman Granz to his Pablo
label. 1973's Virtuoso made him a star and he recorded very prolifically
for Pablo, unaccompanied, with small groups, on duo albums with Ella Fitzgerald,
and with such masters as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson,
Milt Jackson, and Dizzy Gillespie. Pass remained very active up until
his death from cancer.
Back to Jazz
Guitar Players
-
Free Jazz Guitar Lessons
Free online jazz guitar lessons for beginners, intermediates and advanced.
-
Online Guitar Courses
Online jazz guitar instruction from recording artist Chris Standring
-
Inside Track Membership
Join The Inside Track membership and get access to all Chris Standring's guitar instructional programs, all in one place.