JOHNNY SMITH INTERVIEW

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  • Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
  • In 1988 I did an interview with my teacher, the great jazz guitarist Johnny Smith. As far as I know it's the only of its kind. John is gracious and insightful, as ever. Finally this hour-long exchange of music and talk is available to everyone!
    My formal training with Johnny Smith ended in my teens, but I returned to my home town of Colorado Springs regularly to see him as well as friends and family. He'd spent decades in The Apple recording and playing at NBC and the clubs, and he liked to say that his favorite view of the city was in his rear-view mirror when he headed West. And he claimed he'd chosen the Springs because it was as far away from NYC that you could get without getting too close to L.A.!
    Although there are invaluable nuggets for a jazz player, I think Smith's wisdom and anecdotes during the show, filmed in his living room, apply universally. He plays solos at the beginning and end. After the opening credits, go to 49' 31" to hear the duets-- a blues by Johnny and "Just Friends" -- and the closing solo.
    Further music and video from this student of Johnny Smith, of Ustad Amir Khan, and many more, are at tomross1.bandc... and vimeo.com/1215....

Комментарии • 281

  • @seanvine39
    @seanvine39 Час назад

    What an amazing person. A really well rounded, deep individual. And from what I hear, I great family man as well.

  • @finleytron
    @finleytron 8 лет назад +14

    I have been attempting to play the guitar for almost 60 years now and have been inspired by many great pickers both known and unknown. Of all those wonderful people Johnny Smith stands out as the near perfect example of a man who never settled for anything but the most inspiring, most lyrical and astounding virtuosity of anyone who ever picked up one of these instruments. His taste and approach are legendary and we all owe him a debt of gratitude. He should be required listening for anyone who wants to begin to understand just how complex and expressive the guitar really is. I bless the day I heard him and was and still am inspired and healed by his incredible talent. He surely will never be forgotten.

  • @rudyqualls75
    @rudyqualls75 2 года назад +3

    I met Johnny in 85 at his store in Colorado Springs, I was awestruck and he played me his favorite "I'm old fashioned", autographed his teaching volume 1 and offered his Johnny Smith 25th anniversary Gibson model in his display case, for a very good price, and gave me a contact to study with from one of his prior students (Mike Elliot). He was most cordial and a great consular. I spent 2 hours with him, he was a kind and outstanding person. He is my mark for excellence.

    • @Grindstaff09
      @Grindstaff09 5 дней назад

      Thanks. I plan to look up Mike Elliot. What a beautiful happening. What was his store like?

    • @rudyqualls75
      @rudyqualls75 3 дня назад

      @@Grindstaff09 Well first off: The store in Colorado Springs was as I recall it in a tree-lined park plaza, wooden storefront. Entering the store there were a few glass counters and in the rear more like a repair center. Johnny as he introduced himself we talked about his music and one of his books "Interpretations" which I had tried to learn his style from, he laughed and told me several errors in this book. He explained his use of Bass Clef for the lower registers when writing music and I bought the Johnny Smith's complete 2 volume fundamentals book which he autographed. He listened to me and encouraged me to continue, He knew my friend and teacher, a student of George Van Epps named Pat McCauly living at the time in Tucson. He pulled out of the display case a JS archtop Gibson 25th anniversary model and offered it to me for $1500, a price at the time too expensive for me but in hindsight an unbelievable price. He talked about his songs, his large hands and, his original entrance into music on a cornet before he met the guitar. He played the tune I'm Old Fashioned as is favorite. Listening to him play and the tone he gets was so different, made in heaven. Unfortunately, his student and professional guitar player Mike Elliott, a great player whom I had a few lessons, essentially out of his 2 books of songs, was not the gentleman or teacher like Johnny. Mike passed away a few years ago. Johnny Smith was a gifted teacher, person and, my friend.

    • @Grindstaff09
      @Grindstaff09 3 дня назад

      @@rudyqualls75 Thank you so much for this. I did look up Mike Elliot, and am intrigued with his style. I know now not all great players are good teachers. I plan to look into I'm Old Fashioned more.

  • @DrPickerCGP
    @DrPickerCGP 9 лет назад +65

    Thanks for sharing this gem, Tom. I took a long lesson from Johnny in the late 1950s. When I watch this, I realize where a lot of my understanding of music and the guitar comes from. He basically took an inventory of what I knew and then gave me a giant to-do list. The lesson is still unfolding… John

    • @joelkeeley793
      @joelkeeley793 5 лет назад +2

      John Knowles John, I’ve come to realize how much Johnny influenced greats like Pass, Wes Montgomery, and of course Martin Taylor! Lucky you to have gotten a lesson! Hope you’re well friend!

    • @dragongirlguitar
      @dragongirlguitar 4 года назад +1

      John Knowles you are an extremely lucky man. There has never been another one like Johnny smith.

    • @jazzguitarstudentufc-fan3908
      @jazzguitarstudentufc-fan3908 3 года назад +1

      thanks for sharing. what is the name of the first song in this video?

    • @richardfredrick8838
      @richardfredrick8838 3 года назад +4

      @@jazzguitarstudentufc-fan3908 "Send In The Clowns"

    • @TheGattonmaster
      @TheGattonmaster 2 года назад +1

      Wish they had live footage of Johny playing in New Yoork in the 50's his prime: AWESOME

  • @BlackRaven156
    @BlackRaven156 10 месяцев назад +7

    WOW, he is so full of gems of brilliance! I learned so much in a short hour. So I glad I stumbled on this interview. This man is a treasure.

  • @davidarnold5197
    @davidarnold5197 9 лет назад +12

    This is an amazing treat! Thank you so much for posting. I had the honor to meet Johnny Smith at his music store in 1982 (I was 13). I had just gotten my first electric guitar (a rebranded Hondo Les Paul called a "Seville") at a pawn shop. The guitar had some issues and my dad knew Mr. Smith, so we took it to him to fix. He worked on it and set it up beautifully. I still have it and it is still, 33 years later, the best playing guitar I have ever laid hands on. The man was not only a master musician, but a master luthier, and an amazing human being.

  • @MrMjp58
    @MrMjp58 Год назад +4

    I’ve got an old issue of Guitar magazine (UK) from August ‘76, in which there is a great interview with Johnny. It’s full of wit, wisdom and humour, as well as brilliant bits of musicians gossip etc.

  • @Ella_Rae_Feingold
    @Ella_Rae_Feingold 28 дней назад +1

    Thank you 🙏🏼 what a treat you recorded this ❤

  • @robertgodhard3248
    @robertgodhard3248 Год назад +5

    This is timeless.
    Johnny,like Tal Farlow,so kind and gentle.
    His explanations and ability to convey his
    thoughts are like his playing-impecable.
    His music is just an extension of
    his person,they are the same.
    A very great comunicator,subtle and
    unasuming,truthful and profound.
    Thankyou so much.

  • @BBippy
    @BBippy 2 года назад +24

    These guys like Smith grew up in the error of no good records, no good teachers. It's amazing what they accomplished and the foundation they provided us. Real pioneers.

    • @GeorgiaBoy1961
      @GeorgiaBoy1961 Год назад +11

      According to Smith's bio, he had joined the U.S. Army determined to become a pilot, but could not due to a vision defect with his left eye. He was given a choice between joining the army band or going to mechanic's school. He was handed a coronet and an instruction book, and given two weeks to master both. He played day and night and passed his audition - and it wasn't even on guitar. Smith was the sort of musical genius whose enormous talents would have been expressed no matter which instrument he picked up.
      He was the complete package: He could play a number of instruments, including guitar, at a high level; he could compose, arrange and orchestrate; he could sight-read; he knew musical theory. He was a bandleader but also did numerous sessions, including ones demanding the reading of scores.
      All of this - plus his legendary career in jazz and popular music - would be sufficient to secure his place in history, but perhaps the most-impressive thing about the man was not music; it was his love for his family. When Smith's wife died in child-birth in 1957, Smith gave up his career to settle down in Colorado Springs, CO to open and run a music store and raise his children. He walked away from jazz music and the bright lights of NYC in the prime of his career.
      Years later, when he made a come-back - his children were adults by then - Smith's talents were still very evident and undimmed by time. Smith passed away in 2013 at the age of ninety.

    • @LfunkeyA
      @LfunkeyA Год назад +2

      era. also, there was no such era.

  • @woodyrussell
    @woodyrussell 7 месяцев назад +2

    Absolute gold! Thank you for capturing and sharing this incredible insight from a master

  • @dcw57915
    @dcw57915 Год назад +2

    This is wonderful as I've been a fan of Mr. Smith since listening to his rendition of "The Boy Next Door" at a Starbucks in Boston many years ago. I fell in love with his tone and technique and bought as many albums as I could of his. "The Sound of the Johnny Smith Guitar" is still one of my all-time favorite albums. So glad you were one of his students and am thankful you preserved this national treasure for us all to benefit. Thank you, Tom.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  Год назад

      Yes I'm so lucky. I still keep his drop D . . . tomross1.bandcamp.com/track/groovin-with-the-whispering-sandman

  • @gregoryl869
    @gregoryl869 7 лет назад +14

    I just discovered this little gem of a video and wanted to thank you, Tom, for taking the time to post it publicly. I've admired Johnny Smith for years, and in this interview we get to see his generous and truly humble nature, as well as flashes of his brilliance as a musician - he's beyond just being a guitarist. Thanks again.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  7 лет назад

      Yes. John was gentlemanly always, and an enthusiastic teacher.

  • @billohaire2841
    @billohaire2841 6 месяцев назад +1

    Thanks for sharing this. I learned a lot about the guitar from the Great Mr. Smith.

  • @VelvetToneMusic
    @VelvetToneMusic 8 лет назад +23

    Wow, this is priceless for all of us Johnny Smith fans. Great that he's sitting there talking in-depth about his awesome technique. Dude was a monster, and by all accounts a great guy. Thank you for sharing.

    • @seanvine39
      @seanvine39 2 месяца назад +1

      Wes Montgomery: I could never play that perfect. And that’s Johnny Smith. Perfect. Not a fudged note or rhythm ever. Anywhere. If we could all play like that we would.

  • @causetti
    @causetti 3 года назад +6

    Great interview. At 13:05 John explains that the technique he uses for the pick has specific rules on the use of the elbow or the wrist and the movement down or up. The reason is tha he played a lot with a orchestra and when you have to play a phrase together other musicians you have to follow these rules. I totally agree.

  • @Grindstaff09
    @Grindstaff09 5 дней назад

    Love what he is playing solo at the end

  • @jameschirillo2364
    @jameschirillo2364 8 лет назад +8

    What a beautiful document left us by someone whose technique and tone on the instrument remain unparalleled. At this level, one cannot get better, only different.

  • @tomross9452
    @tomross9452  8 лет назад +26

    Glad to see this added on the JS site. And I appreciate everyone taking the time to hear this master player, improviser, arranger, composer, raconteur, and teacher.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  7 лет назад

      Hi Kevin! Glad you're playing. Here's a recent tune. tomross1.bandcamp.com/track/groovin-with-the-whispering-sandman

    • @jazzguitarstudentufc-fan3908
      @jazzguitarstudentufc-fan3908 3 года назад

      hi Tom thanks for sharing this great video. What is the name of the first song?

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  3 года назад

      @@jazzguitarstudentufc-fan3908 Send In the Clowns. The other solo piece is 'Mexican Folk Song' but in fact composed.

  • @SuperCarver2011
    @SuperCarver2011 9 лет назад +5

    I've followed Johnny from the early 60s, when I first got introduced to guitar by my
    teacher who was into jazz and Johnny Smith's Moonlight in Vermont, as well as
    Wes Montgomery. I listened to a lot of these recordings as well as Django Rheinhardt
    and Stephan Grappelly. Good that you managed to capture his ideas and comments
    of this great guitar jazz legend before he left us..maybe he is still playing those
    beautiful melodic chords on Moonlight..somewhere in jazz heaven.

  • @BernieHollandMusic
    @BernieHollandMusic 7 лет назад +3

    The combination of Tom's intelligent approach to enquiry and Johnny's magnanimous response make this a lesson to treasure for all time - what a privilege to be able to turn my computer on and share in this storehouse of wisdom and insight from a guitarist of the highest caliber - thank you Tom - and bless you Johhny !

  • @OTIStheREALcarlos
    @OTIStheREALcarlos 6 лет назад +3

    Priceless video. Very intelligent and educated talk by one of the most unique innovators of jazz guitar . And a chance to see Johnny Smith totally in his own element comfortably displaying his knowledge and technique in his performances here.What a solo on "Just Friends". I have never seen any other historic legend run from left to right on that neck like Johnny Smith. He explored and mastered fingerings for arpeggios and other melodic runs that were a first in possibilities of guitar technique.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  6 лет назад +1

      Yes. The 'up and down' fingering choices favor the 'best'-sounding versions of the note, in a rough diagonal pattern from low to high. For instance, he'd play an A on the 2nd string rather than the first.

  • @boogierandy7547
    @boogierandy7547 2 месяца назад

    thank you for this interview.

  • @NotUrBiz
    @NotUrBiz 6 лет назад +4

    I haven't enjoyed an interview with a famous guitarist this much in years. Thank you for sharing. Great player and even greater gentleman.

  • @anfiorsceal
    @anfiorsceal 7 лет назад +3

    This is fantastic! ...thank you, Tom, for taking the trouble to preserve the accumulated wisdom of this master for posterity before he departed. He was obviously very fond of you as he seems to be very open and forthcoming. As you say in the blurb, his insights apply to musicians of all genres - clips like these make youtube such wonderful resource .

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  7 лет назад

      My pleasure.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  7 лет назад

      yes, very lucky to have encountered him. I'll put up FB stories about him from time to time, and I have at least one lesson with him, a ballad probably, on cassette. Also some VHS footage of him with the Quartet here in CO.

  • @jamesbonin1277
    @jamesbonin1277 2 года назад +1

    Learned more in an hour than in 43 years. Amazing

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  2 года назад

      I'm glad. Besides being a master, he's a great teacher.

  • @yawnjones
    @yawnjones 8 лет назад +16

    35:35 about improvising... Johnny was on point about not liking modes and everyone sounds the same when they use the modes
    still holds true today !! lol

    • @guitarttimman
      @guitarttimman 3 месяца назад

      Learning scales and modes very useful. I use them as a guide, but i alter them to fit my style. Check me out. I sound like me.

  • @surprisedmike
    @surprisedmike 8 лет назад +4

    Some of the most intelligent, thoughtful commentary on guitar playing that I've ever heard. Clearly Johnny thought hard about how to play and his comments really make a lot of sense. Thanks!

  • @archtopeddy
    @archtopeddy 9 лет назад +2

    Thanks so much Tom for posting this incredible video of Johnny Smith. I had the fortune of meeting him for a breakfast chat in January 2013, a few months before Johnny died. Fellow guitarist Alan Joseph and I had a loose and wide-ranging talk with Johnny about Django, Charlie Christian, George Barnes, Benny Goodman, Slim Gaillard, Buck Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Bobby Montoya, and wrapping Bing Crosby in newspapers! The part I remember the most, however, is when--in the midst of the discussion--he suddenly turned to me with his penetrating blue eyes and proclaimed, "I ALWAYS loved the guitar." Those words chilled me. To me, there was no greater truth in that moment in time than when this 90 year old guitar legend spoke those words. It was his love of the guitar that was the foundation of all the music he shared with us fellow guitarists and the world.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад +1

      Certainly, and although guitar was much of his worldview, he was exemplary in his alertness to the musical habits of other instruments: organ, flute, violin, tenor, accordion, all influenced his playing, don't you think?

    • @archtopeddy
      @archtopeddy 9 лет назад

      Tom Ross
      No doubt Tom. He was a musician with much bigger ears than just his chosen instrument -- and as you said, they all influenced his playing much to our reward!

  • @johnwellings3225
    @johnwellings3225 5 лет назад +3

    Johnny Smith comes across as a really approachable Nice guy.....and i love his guitar work, over his career

  • @jansjostrom5213
    @jansjostrom5213 8 лет назад +8

    Johnny Smith has always been one of my favorite guitarists although I am myself a classical guitarist.This video really is invaluable.Thank you so much for sharing!

  • @danadler49
    @danadler49 9 лет назад +8

    Thanks, Tom! What a treasure!

  • @pak51able
    @pak51able 8 лет назад +4

    Johnny Smith was simply the best guitarist I have ever heard. He is awesome. Thanks for the post.

  • @PedroBellora
    @PedroBellora 9 лет назад +15

    It's good to hear Johnny Smith talking about all this. Thanks for sharing!!

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад +9

      My pleasure! His spirit was generous, as you can see.

  • @adsvx
    @adsvx 9 лет назад +2

    One of my great regrets in life is never meeting Mr Smith or at the very least calling him before he died to say how much I loved his music and artistry and what a huge influence he was on my playing. He seems like just the sweetest man and based on comments I've read here and elsewhere it seems that's exactly what he was: A very sweet guy who played like nobody else. Thank you for this video.

    • @adsvx
      @adsvx 8 лет назад

      Thanks for sharing that. You're a lucky man but you know that. He truly was a great master.

  • @jamestylergoyns2980
    @jamestylergoyns2980 7 лет назад +5

    wow......., tear in my eye

  • @misterlarryb
    @misterlarryb 2 года назад +1

    WOW! Thank you SO much, Tom! I deeply regret not making more of an effort to visit such a musical genius decades ago. Our family legend is that my musician and flight instructor dad (a.k.a. Jerry Shard) became friends with Johnny in New York through music and flying, helping him with his piloting. This video is my visit with Johnny that I never had. Thank you for this gift!

  • @epf1961
    @epf1961 9 лет назад +3

    Wow! An hour of wisdom from a man of such humility, wisdom and wit! So refreshing to hear cats of his generation discuss jazz. Young players are so caught up with studying modes, copying solos, researching tricks and tips and trying to find quick and dirty shortcuts to playing jazz.. Here is yet another guy who learned using his brains and common sense and ears, figuring out what works and what doesn’t, approaching music from a practical standpoint and not relying on anything else but his own talent and hard work. He didn’t have Aebersold, or teachers, or books, or tablature, or online courses.. He was just a man with a guitar and a focus. Playing as you would sing… keeping the melody clear… avoiding stale patterns and copied riffs… building solos from simple to complex… making everything sound smooth and logical: This has all been said before, but so many players miss some or all of these concepts. I feel like I’m a better player just by listening to this guy speak about jazz from his decades of experience. And the kicker of it all is, it’s SIMPLE. People tend to overcomplicate music, and approach jazz from such a cerebral/theoretical angle that it takes all the spontaneity, fun and musicality out of it. We need more Johnny Smiths to cut through the highbrow crap and bring us back to the basics, namely that, at its core, jazz is art and not science.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад +1

      epf1961 Amen there. He had a lot of practice talking that way during his seminars and workshops. So we've got it distilled here, with both the downs and ups of his self-taught wisdom.

  • @danwarren1642
    @danwarren1642 3 года назад +3

    Thank you for sharing this, lots of great tips from a master of his craft!

  • @mrfrontranger7911
    @mrfrontranger7911 9 лет назад +1

    at 52 minutes I found my self with a big ole grin !!!! wonderful cant describe this vid.

  • @DaniloMarrone
    @DaniloMarrone 9 лет назад +6

    Master Johnny Smith! This is priceless advice. Thank you so much for sharing.

  • @jazzboxrecordings3414
    @jazzboxrecordings3414 9 лет назад +4

    This is an amazing interview! There's so much to learn from this and his stories are great. Really loved his Golden Earring's example at the beginning with the down strokes followed by alternate picking. I thought he did it finger style.

  • @SandraLATVxxx2009
    @SandraLATVxxx2009 8 лет назад +5

    It took only a few seconds of the Black Album to realize that this man is beyond exceptional. And in Terms of many of the cuts on that album, the amplified sound of his guitar is perfect and it is an amplified sound as opposed to the sound on Golden Earring.
    This interview is priceless is so many ways but his humble manner can't hide the genius that is his approach to playing guitar and music. Just to get his tone and feel on a simple line is something special because his picking technique is so strong. To me, you have Johnny Smith and John McLaughlin at the top of guitar technique and expressing themselves via he guitar

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  8 лет назад

      Oh yes. He referred to himself as 'crippled' because he uses a pick instead of fingers. Silly.
      I use his drop D only: tomross1.bandcamp.com/track/summertime-chapu

    • @NickRatnieks
      @NickRatnieks 7 лет назад

      He does not describe using the pick as being "crippled". He says that because of his other interests he would often have broken nails- which would mean as a finger style player, he would be crippled. He chooses to stick with the pick- and he was a master of plectrum guitar.

  • @davidweinstock4977
    @davidweinstock4977 8 лет назад +1

    his mel bay method book is the most comprehensive book out there, for anyone who wants to learn the fingerboard. my experience with him echoes all those who knew him well enough to know what a great guy he was. r.i.p one great person.

  • @chumleyshaver7942
    @chumleyshaver7942 8 лет назад +8

    @47:15 Johnny plays the chords to "Moonlight in Vermont" with the camera right on his fingers. The Holy Grail on a platter!

  • @rmcfee
    @rmcfee 6 месяцев назад

    Incredible comping!

  • @ChristopherBasile9
    @ChristopherBasile9 9 лет назад +3

    Delightful, thank you for sharing!

  • @numdud
    @numdud 9 лет назад +3

    Thanks for posting that Johnny Smith interview.

  • @NickPycks6
    @NickPycks6 9 лет назад +3

    a jazz guitar treasure THANK YOU!

  • @karllee2680
    @karllee2680 9 лет назад +2

    this was a very nice video interview johnny smith was always one of my favorite
    thanks

  • @nanstev92
    @nanstev92 9 лет назад +3

    This is a treasure, thanks so much for sharing this wonderful video! Steve

  • @TheJofrica
    @TheJofrica 9 лет назад +3

    Excellent! I learned so much from this! Thanks for uploading and sharing with everybody

  • @joedenisco6033
    @joedenisco6033 9 лет назад +1

    Hi Tom, I was one of the 1st to watch this video when you originally posted it back in March. I've watched it probably 20 times since! This is a real treasure for those of us who were only able to admire the man from a far. I cant thank you enough for posting this.
    Joe D.

  • @BobbyJardine-vs8yc
    @BobbyJardine-vs8yc 6 месяцев назад +1

    I love Johnny Smith.He and Harry Volpe were always gracious and kind to Django Reinhardt when he would come to the US.Johnny Smith was revered by Django as a great guitar player.His arrangements are fantastic.

  • @roymusic251
    @roymusic251 9 лет назад +1

    Thank you Tom,this is wonderful.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад +1

      He's a model of restraint, among other things. A ballad he taught me: tomross1.bandcamp.com/album/all-ballads-shut-up-play-yer-guitar-2

  • @SurferJoe1
    @SurferJoe1 9 лет назад +3

    One of my heroes- so happy to discover this!

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад

      +Surfer Joe Yes we're very lucky.

  • @philipbrown2225
    @philipbrown2225 9 лет назад +3

    Fantastic , thanks so much for uploading this !

  • @MPfrance
    @MPfrance 9 лет назад +4

    WoW - This is fantastic! I've loved Johnny's playing since I was a kid (and have "re-purposed" as much of his musicality as I could). THANKS for posting this!!

  • @josephbutler9665
    @josephbutler9665 8 лет назад +2

    Tom, this made my day to say the least. Super Thanks to you. Stuff like this is Christmas for guitarists.

  • @guitboot
    @guitboot 9 лет назад +1

    Just Beautiful , thanks Tom I and many other guitarists have been hopeful something like this would eventually surface.Thank you for sharing it.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад

      My pleasure.
      A clarification on Johnny's declaration that faster playing happens in the wrist, not the forearm: yes. But he councils to practice slow ('speed will come naturally'), and when that speed is properly called upon, I still say that it originates in the forearm and even higher, even if you can't see them working.
      John was a good violin player as well. Correct me, but I think many fiddle players would agree on this point.

    • @musket-hc1fc
      @musket-hc1fc 4 года назад

      @@tomross9452 I agree with you about the forearm.

  • @Srvtecej
    @Srvtecej 3 года назад

    Thank you for sharing. He was a national treasure. One of the best.

  • @donmilland7606
    @donmilland7606 4 года назад

    I got this Johnny Smith Verve album from my uncle 40 years ago. I still have it. Everyone song blew me away (still). Among others, it has his rendition of Golden earrings, Here's That Rainy Day, and Yesterdays (OMG)

  • @taylorfusion
    @taylorfusion 5 лет назад +1

    Guitar Guru - and so ZEN-like...the best. Had to watch a second time 3 years later. Glad I did. I am looking to buy an early '60's Johnny Smith model Gibson after reading and hearing it in close study recently. If you know of one for sale, please let me know. Hoping it sounds great acoustically as well as the original Kalamazoo made pickups.

  • @freddym223
    @freddym223 8 лет назад +1

    Not only was he a great guitarist , but also a very nice person ! R.I.P. JOHNNY !

  • @johnnymac5228
    @johnnymac5228 2 года назад

    Back in the early 90's someone gave me a trade magazine with Johnny playing a Gretsch in an ad. I sent it to Johnny and he autographed it for me I still have it.Such a gentleman.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  2 года назад

      Later he turned against Gretsch . . .

  • @musket-hc1fc
    @musket-hc1fc 9 лет назад +2

    Thank you, Tom. Very good of you to share this wonderful video. I particularly appreciate your focus on pick technique at the beginning. Could you tell us what kind of pick Johnny used?

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад +1

      musket 0402 Yes. He used to be, as he put it, hung up on very thick tortoise shell picks, but later opted for a medium size spade-shaped plastic pick, pretty stiff, with the name of his store on it. I have a couple still.

  • @bobjazz11
    @bobjazz11 9 лет назад +2

    This is Brilliant!!

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад

      +Bob Hardy Thanks. He was a good explainer as well as superb player.

  • @mikeg888
    @mikeg888 7 лет назад

    The man was one of the very few grand masters and humble about it at that! What a pleasure to watch this! Thanks!

  • @christiankurtboutot5658
    @christiankurtboutot5658 4 года назад

    Soooooo greeeaaat !!!!!! What a humility, humanity..thaaaanks so muuuuch for sharing...

  • @votemiles
    @votemiles Год назад

    This is priceless, thank you.

  • @strings41
    @strings41 5 лет назад

    This video should have several million views!

  • @foorkite
    @foorkite 3 месяца назад +1

    What an absolute treasure

  • @132petrit
    @132petrit 8 лет назад +1

    Very deep thoughts and what a great musician.

  • @grahamt33
    @grahamt33 9 лет назад +2

    Thanks for thisTom,this interview is so full of wisdom, with a few surprises[incl The Modes]from a truly great post war pioneer

  • @CampChoctawVacationGirl
    @CampChoctawVacationGirl 2 года назад

    Very nice, interview! I just became a Beverly Kenney, fan and found Johnny Smith, too! Thanks for sharing, Tom! You're pretty terrific, yourself!

  • @MPfrance
    @MPfrance 4 года назад

    Johnny was SUCH a beautiful man and brilliant player! This is an AMAZING video. Thanks for sharing!!

  • @benjaminwarner2667
    @benjaminwarner2667 Год назад

    Thank you so much for this video

  • @cliffworks4321
    @cliffworks4321 9 лет назад

    how wonderful thank you kindly, I wish all students of Johnny Smith, HR and others master player educators would share their lessons with us. Ted Green, Barbara and many students have done so and are keeping his legacy alive. Where are all the students of HR I have been asking for years? cliff in tokyo

  • @Joel_Powell
    @Joel_Powell 8 лет назад

    Tom - I am currently studying Out of Nowhere and will soon be transcribing Johnny's version of it. That led me here. What a wonderful video and I wished I had come across Johnny's music much earlier in my life - I am studying jazz guitar in my 50s :).
    Your playing on the blues at the end is very nice. Thanks again for posting. This made my day!

  • @thomasclements1462
    @thomasclements1462 7 лет назад

    Thank you for posting this. What a sensational player and instructor Johnny Smith was and still is, due to various documentaries posted, such as this particular gem!

  • @wbjams
    @wbjams 8 лет назад +1

    Great video , Tom, so great for those of us influenced by Johnny , who never got to meet, study with, or see him perform live. The version of "Send in the Clowns" was influenced by Harry Leahey , who studied with Johnny and Dennis Sandole . Harry sent Johnny a copy of his "Still Waters" LP in 1980. I remember Harry proudly showing me at one of my lessons, the note Johnny sent in reply, thanking him for the album , and stating "I love Send in the Clowns, especially, and plan on learning some of your beautiful arrangement". I recorded my tribute to Johnny and Harry on my
    cd "Walt Bibinger Trio:Live" back in 1998. Search "Wally's Waltz/Still Waters" Walt Bibinger Trio , if Interested.
    Thanks again!

  • @ArkRed1
    @ArkRed1 7 лет назад

    I got to see Johnny live at a little bistro in Denver called, "Shane's After Dark" of something like that. I stood there with my jaw covering my boots. What a great player. He let me get a snapshot of him, and I wish I still had it. His guitar break on Bye Bye Blackbird on the Columbia A Perfect Match album with Art Van Damme still gives me chills. So clean, so nice. RIP Mr. Smith, you were the greatest.

    • @TheGattonmaster
      @TheGattonmaster 2 года назад

      My parents saw Johny there 4 times in early 70's I thought it was called Shanners. But it's Shane's after dark thank you ! My Dad and Uncle ran a Johny Smith music center in Wheatridge Colorado 1969-1971. I saw Johny do a seminar, later on early 2000s talked to him on phone, he mailed me a signed photo and a pick! He's right up there with Wes Montgomery and Dango Reinhardt. I wish there was video of Johny live in the 50's in NYC, some of the best playing EVER !

    • @TheGattonmaster
      @TheGattonmaster 2 года назад

      My Parents were at the same club you were at , Shane's after dark in Denver, and they said the same thing you did; JAWS DROPPING !

  • @deangelico
    @deangelico 9 лет назад +1

    Beautiful Guitar. I have just downloaded the Album, looking forward to listening to it.
    I have been a longtime fan of both D'Angelico's and also D'Aquisto's Sadly the only thing I could ever afford were the photos of them, and the great book "Acquired of the Angels" The reason for the mis-spelling is due to the fact that they do not let you use comma's in an email address.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад +3

      In my many returns to the Springs I'd occasionally have a gig, and I'd call John to borrow a guitar. He loaned his JS once, to Sandy's horror. But on other occasions he loaned his Benedetto (given him by the maker), a lovely ax.
      Next time I came to town John said, "Tom, I found out how much the Benedetto is worth. [c. $34k!] I can't loan it to you any more!"

  • @hanshollestelle
    @hanshollestelle 7 лет назад +1

    Wow I did not know Johnny Smith was such a friendly open guy, I only knew him from his Johnny Smith guitar the top of the line Gibson in the 60's, and that he was the composer of Walk don't Run

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  7 лет назад +1

      Yes and the record with Stan Getz, Moonlight in Vermont, is one of many highlghts. Er is gemuetlich, net?

  • @christiangarcia9245
    @christiangarcia9245 4 года назад

    This is wonderful material!!! Thank you for making this public

  • @neilferris2412
    @neilferris2412 8 лет назад

    A treasure right here, thanks for posting!

  • @alldowntheline
    @alldowntheline 9 лет назад

    Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing this gem!

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад +1

      Right, there are lessons for all of us that he offers freely.

  • @TNGuitarandUke
    @TNGuitarandUke 9 лет назад +4

    I have the tab to Send In The Clowns if anyone is interested. I saw Johnny play a couple times years ago when I lived in Denver. Jazz guitarist Stacey McKee showed me how to play several of Johnny's chord melodies. This is fantastic. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this.

    • @philipbrown2225
      @philipbrown2225 9 лет назад

      Michael Timme I met Stacey when I lived in Denver '78 and '79. I saw Johnny play on two occasions. Incredible stuff- I would love to get the Send in the Clowns tab. Thanks !

    • @TNGuitarandUke
      @TNGuitarandUke 9 лет назад

      Philip Brown Send me your email address to timmemc@comcast.net.

    • @williamanesbitt
      @williamanesbitt 9 лет назад

      Michael Timme I would love that! bill.nesbitt@sbcglobal.net -- Thanks so much!

    • @yawnjones
      @yawnjones 6 лет назад

      Michael Timme yawnjones@gmail.com
      I know I'm 3 yes late
      I appreciate the tab if still available !!!

  • @andreasfetzer7559
    @andreasfetzer7559 4 года назад +1

    What a treasure for musicians !

  • @raneyxam
    @raneyxam 8 лет назад

    thanks a lot for that sharing sir, much appreciated.

  • @InglisAcademy
    @InglisAcademy 5 лет назад

    Absolutely wonderful, thanks for sharing!

  • @Beulzabob
    @Beulzabob 4 года назад

    Thanks for sharing this. Must have been a great privilege to study with this master.

  • @GraniteQuarrier
    @GraniteQuarrier 5 лет назад

    Thank you so much for posting

  • @joelgarcia8655
    @joelgarcia8655 9 лет назад

    Can't thank you enough for uploading!

  • @jodyguilbeaux8225
    @jodyguilbeaux8225 4 года назад

    Complete Mastery of guitar, did this guy drop in from deep space.WOW,I LOVE the song he does called GHOST OF A CHANCE. To imagine on top of that a top notch comping technique.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  4 года назад

      Yes. He taught me mostly arrangements of ballads, with inner voice leading; less about improvising.

  • @terrywho22
    @terrywho22 9 лет назад

    Fantastic!!! Thanks so much for posting this.

  • @Albert81950
    @Albert81950 9 лет назад

    Great interview with a great guitarist! Thanks for posting this.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад +1

      Welcome always. I'll keep posting stuff about him.

  • @Wolferal
    @Wolferal Год назад

    This is an absolute TREASURE!

  • @ultraparadoxical7610
    @ultraparadoxical7610 7 лет назад

    Thank you for sharing this!

  • @deangelico
    @deangelico 9 лет назад

    Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful video.

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад

      I'm glad it's finally available. Are you a jazz player?

    • @deangelico
      @deangelico 9 лет назад

      Tom Ross No Tom, sadly not.I used to own a Gibson L7 many years ago,but was never at a point to justify it.
      I just prefer to listen to my heroes now

    • @tomross9452
      @tomross9452  9 лет назад

      Tom Ross your nickname caught my eye. Around 1970 John called me saying someone had left a D'Angelico in his store for consignment. I rushed over, didn't bargain, and bought the Excel for $2300. It's the subject of the photos for tomross1.bandcamp.com/album/all-ballads-shut-up-play-yer-guitar-2