Victor Wooten. It isn’t very often that a festival features a combined 13 Grammy Awards between four iconic headliners, and that’s what gives the First Annual Florida Jazz and Blues Jam on Saturday instant name recognition and potential staying power. Its opening act is only John Mayall, the 82-year-old British blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player whose Bluesbreakers … [Read more...]
Jazz guitarist Najar flies in on Byrd’s wings
If he had it to do again, nylon-string jazz guitarist Nate Najar would be playing a different instrument. “If I could start over, I'd play piano,” he says. “I once had a wonderful teacher named Frank Mullen, and he often brought a classical guitar to my lessons before I played one. He talked me into trying it, and made me realize how much more piano-like a nylon-string guitar … [Read more...]
Guitarist Karadaglić looks to bigger future for instrument
Earlier this month, Miloš Karadaglić signed off on the final proof of his forthcoming recording of the Concierto de Aranjuez, probably the most beloved classical guitar concerto in the world. He’s delighted with how it came out. “It’s everything I ever wanted. It’s a very special recording for me,” said Karadaglić, the rising young guitarist who recorded the emblematic … [Read more...]
Guitarist Rodgers pays homage to the masters of jazz
Atlanta-born guitarist and vocalist Bobby Lee Rodgers (www.bobbyleerodgers.com) spent much of the past decade fronting The Codetalkers, a group he founded with former Aquarium Rescue Unit leader Col. Bruce Hampton. The band was a pop-rock vehicle for Rodgers’ quirky songwriting, playing and vocals, all of which showed only glimpses of his deep jazz background. But his recent … [Read more...]
Guitarist Kreisberg sets first SoFla gigs in five years
New York City-born guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg first showed an interest in music at age 10 after he’d moved to Miami with his family. He would go on to study at the New World School of the Arts, appear in Guitar Player and Down Beat magazines while in his teens, and earn a scholarship to the University of Miami, graduating from its esteemed music program. He then played in … [Read more...]