Listen To:


Selected MP3s of guitar instrumentals, jazz, big band, and classic easy listening from the original vinyl.

Welcome to Guitars & All That Jazz

Welcome to Guitars & All That Jazz

Guitars & All That Jazz was a radio station that webcast via Live365 for 11 years, ending in June 2011. The playlist consisted of guitar instrumentals, jazz, big band, early rock 'n' roll, lounge music and classic easy listening.

I hope to share some of this music with you via this blog. Most of it will be taken from the original vinyl (LPs and 45s) , cassettes and the occasional commercially unavailable CD.

Here's hoping you'll find something to enjoy. Please note files are available only for a limited time.

I urge you to purchase the digital version of the albums featured, either on CD or via download, wherever possible.

Listen to the Music
There are now two music streams. Click the appropriate player to the right.
1. Guitars & All That Jazz: Five hours of the best in jazz, guitars and other instrumental gems. New songs are added weekly.
2. Tiki Shores: Music to sweep you away to a tropical isle, a South American dance floor or a bossa nova on the beach at Rio. About 4.5 hours of classic exotica music, Latin rhythms and bossa nova.
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Wednesday, December 05, 2012

George Van Eps - Mellow Guitar


When George Van Eps (1913-1998) came up with the idea in the late 1930s of adding a seventh string to his guitar, it allowed him to play a bass line along with his chords and lead solos.

Van Eps became a master of the seven-string instrument, which was adopted by only a few other jazz guitarists, among them Howard Alden (a former student of Van Eps). Late in Van Eps's career he and Alden recorded three duo albums for Concord.

Mellow Guitar was issued by Columbia in 1956, in mono only apparently. The recording featured three distinct settings for Van Eps's guitar: a basic rhythm section, a nine-piece band arranged by Paul Weston with whom the guitarist frequently worked, and a string orchestra. A link to a sample track (taken from the vinyl LP) is below.

What Is This Thing Called Love



Mellow Guitar was available for a short time on CD on the Sundazed label, which issued it in 1999. Copies now demand premium prices, $30 and up. The album is also available as a download, but it's from the British company Hallmark, which often uses vinyl as its source. The usual caution -- listen before buying -- applies.

Via YouTube, here's another selection from Mellow Guitar.

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