Aside from his ridiculously smooth tone, one of the things that most amazes me about Herb Ellis is the efficiency of his technique: No wasted motion or energy; extremely focused yet at the same time totally relaxed. #respect.
He was an incredible player and a real gentleman. When I first moved to the “valley” from Vegas in ‘73, I was taking lessons from Joe Pass and would nurse the two glasses of wine minimum at Diamonte’s (NOT Donte’s….I have to make that clear to all the idiot trolls on RU-vid) to listen to Herb and Joe doing a guitar duet gig. Man, what a time. Later I went to Dick Grove’s School of Music where he taught the guitar class. He was a class act and monster musician.
I met Herb once backstage after he played at the Manchester Craftsman Guild in Pittsburgh. My buddy was a pro photographer and was hired to do a shoot. It was mid-1990s and I was just getting into jazz and had no clue who he was. I walked over to him and like an idiot, I said "You're pretty good." He leered at me and said, "Pretty good???" I followed with "Yeah, you're not bad." I don't remember much after that.
Man that playing was and is gold. What an intro, than the rhythm of the trio. The days when people gathered around in their favorite jazzclub to have a drink and listen to their favorite players. Now long gone, at least we have these diamond videos to enjoy these precious moments. Vic
Whoa, swing for days! I saw Herb Ellis play live in Reno when I was just a lad, and I remember feeling like I was floating with joy after the show. As for the guy who complained that watching his right hand is uninteresting, because the left hand is where all the music happens, I beg to differ! Herb's right hand was where all the swing happened. His right hand technique was just incredible -- smooth as silk, and no wasted effort or unnecessary motion.
This is quintessential Herb who's style and ability were so instantly recognizable. There will never be another, and while I'm at it, a note for camera people - save your artsy tight shots of the right hand for another day, the left hand is where the music happens and is what guitar players are eager to see.
ive direct many concert videos and sometimes that sweet shot can be as little as 6 inchs out of the way of getting because of lack of camera placement. Also as a guitarist i like seeing the left hand as much as the right. Its tough and a pain in the ass during editing not to have those sweet angles.
Is that the the Aria pro 2 Herb Ellis signature model he's playing ? Might be wrong. I bought one of those Van Epos dampers from my old guitar teacher, never saw the point in them and it just got in the way. Each to their own I guess. Great playing from a jazz giant.
I nearly had a “ Stroke” , listening to this !. Absolutely Marvellous. Up, or Down, who cares !. I’ve been a Jazz Guitarist all my life. Superb performance.
I've often noticed the device attached to the neck at the nut of Herb's guitar. I'm assuming it was a mute to prevent feedback. Any thoughts, ideas, or insights?
A VanEpps String Damper, function can be duplicated with a Velcro Strip. You lose First Position, but Strings accidentally struck and Feedback are mostly dealt with.
Indeed. Floundering around a bit here and there as well. Herb is suggesting “ all the changes”, but the Bass is “Wandering about” , and , well not my choice of notes. !. Straight forward is best, especially without a Piano accompaniment. But, !, we are indeed fortunate to have this video. PS, What do I know !, as a semi disused Jazzman.
Just like other guitar videos the idiot camera man zooms in on the picking hand rather than the fretting hand which is, as a guitarist what I want to see.
Yes but... If you understand that Keith Richards of the Stones is brilliant too, you better appreciate music. Just approach with different expectations. Jazz snobs miss out on a lot imho
Im a jazz snob that also loves death metal and everything in between so lets not get high and mighty referencing the Rolling Stones as if their some prime music
@@garrettmccall2893In general, rock genius comes out in composing tunes. Jazz is more a matter of improvisation, usually based on pop tunes written by others. Keith has played some fine solos but if you stretched them end to end they would not be much longer than one jazz solo. Herb Ellis never composed any million sellers that I know of.
@@garrettmccall2893 A snob who can't read lol. My whole point is that neither Ellis nor Richards is to be seen as the pinnacle. No one is, no matter how complex (or simple). There's all kinds of brilliance, much simple music is brilliant. Got it moron?
