One of my favorite jazz guitarists who plays a nylon string, classical guitar is Earl Klugh. Master guitarist, Earl Klugh (born September 16, 1953 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American smooth jazz/jazz fusion guitarist and composer. Klugh currently resides in the Buckhead district of Atlanta, Georgia.
Me and Earl Klugh @ Blues Alley Jazz Club in Washington, DC
At the age of 13, Klugh was captivated by the guitar playing of Chet Atkins when Atkins made an appearance on the Perry Como Show. Klugh was a performing guest on several of Atkins' albums. Atkins, reciprocating as well, joined Earl on his Magic In Your Eyes album. Klugh was also influenced by Bob James, Ray Parker Jr, Wes Montgomery and Laurindo Almeida. His sound is a blend of these jazz, pop and rhythm and blues influences, forming a potpourri of sweet contemporary music original to only him.
Klugh became a guitar instructor at the young age of 15, and was eventually discovered by Yusef Lateef. His career rapidly progressed to working with the likes of George Benson, George Shearing, Chick Corea, and many others. Like several other Detroit-bred entertainers, Klugh attended Mumford High School.
For their album ONE ON ONE, Klugh and Bob James received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance of 1981. He has since received 12 Grammy nods, millions of record and CD sales, and continues touring worldwide to this day.
Klugh has recorded over 30 albums including 23 Top Ten charting records – five of them No. 1 - on Billboard’s Jazz Album chart in his nearly three decades of a highly successful recording career. He has been lauded first as a prodigy and groundbreaker, then a defining figure, and ultimately, as one of the true statesman of contemporary jazz.
With 2008’s THE SPICE OF LIFE, Klugh earned his 12th career Grammy Nomination. As follow-up to his 2005 masterpiece, NAKED GUITAR, Klugh succeeds in creating a statement every bit as compelling. His guitar playing is truly classic in it’s own design yet unique by means from any accomplished guitarist’s point of view. His chord phrasing and modes are incredible as are his guitar solos.
After breaking a 6-year recording hiatus, Klugh steps back from NAKED GUITAR’s intimate focus on the unaccompanied guitar to capture the biggest picture possible, and an equally personal one. The SPICE OF LIFE is a far-reaching account of all his music, marking Klugh’s return to full-scale album production, after a nine year break with special guest appearances and with arrangements of two legendary orchestras.
Each spring Klugh hosts a special Weekend of Jazz (http://www.weekendofjazz.com/index.php) featuring jazz legends and greats at the Five-Star Broadmoor Hotel & Resort in Colorado Springs. Jazz greats including Ramsey Lewis, Patti Austin, Chuck Mangione, Bob James, Joe Sample, Chris Botti, Roberta Flack, and Arturo Sandoval have all performed at the annual event set in foot of the Colorado Rockies.
In 2006 Modern Guitar magazine wrote that Klugh "is considered by many to be one of the finest acoustic guitar players today." Earl Klugh is one of the finest classical jazz guitarist’s I ever heard and I really appreciate and enjoy his music; his guitar skills are just amazing.
I look forward to seeing him at Blues Alley Jazz Club the next time he is in town. I will not miss it for sure. If you get an opportunity to pick-up one of his albums/CD’s, go for it, I’m sure you’ll love his music.
Have a great evening and don’t forget to give your kids a hug. Until next time.
Bob . . . . .
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