A real hero and innovator for all that knew of him. And I agree with many on this post ..... he should have gotten a lot more notice and recognition. I know there are a lot of great guitarists who DSID know him and tried to emulate him. What an amazing musician and guitar master. I still have his Soliloquy album (vinyl of course) I will always cherish it and thanks soooo much for all of the TH-cam posts of his live performance work. New inspiration form one of the all time greats. He was born in August 7, 1913 and lived to be 85. He passed away on November 29,1998. RIP George.
A lot of great Jazz guitarists played fingerstyle and or chord melody solo style guitar, of whom Joe Pass, Johnny Smith and Ted Greene come to mind - and then there is the GREAT George Van Eps. Wow! Just WOW!!
@@stevemartin3852 Yes, Allen Reuss was a brilliant guitar student of George Van Eps who taught him the guitar. George was Benny Goodman's guitarist at the time (1933-35), and when George decided to leave Goodman's orchestra (because he did not want to go on cross country tours) Benny asked him who was going to take his place. George told Benny, "That's not a problem. I'll bring my star student Allen Reuss over to our next rehearsal. I've taught him just about all he can learn from me, and he will fit the bill with your band perfectly." George, after himself having studied the late premier Jazz guitarist Eddie Lang, whose chordal passages infused with rich harmonies and counterpoint, spiced with splendid arpeggios, all of which in turn had also influenced Karl Kress and Dick McDonough and many others at the time (including Eldon Shamblin in OK City who was with Bob Wills later in 1937). As the years went by George delved in deeper with the style Lang set as a high-water mark and George himself broadened the style by the late 30's (just prior to WWII) with his addition of the 7th string on his Epiphone guitar. Allen Reuss was Goodman's guitarist from late 1934 until 1938 and he left briefly but he was back on Goodman's band off and on until 1943. He was replaced in Goodman's band by Carmen Mastren who only stayed briefly after which Goodman had a string of rhythm guitarists who played in his orchestra (even during the Goodman Sextet period that featured the great electric lead guitarist Charlie Christian 1939-1941). Reuss went on to play with a number of Big Band orchestras and many Jazz and Swing artists.
This is the first time aive heard his name or playing, came looking for the origin of the 7 string guitar. Was blown away by this dude! Incredible memory and dexterity. The music is way to complex for mye simple mind to understand whats going on, but it was beautiful.
That’s is wonderful playing and sound. When I first saw the guitar amp I thought this isn’t going to be anything special. But then I realized it’s a bass amp with a 15‘ speaker and woofer for the highs. Couldn’t be a better match. I’m in my seventies now and sure wish I knew about him back in the day. He certainly didn’t get the top billing he deserved. ‘
Ha good, I am teaching myself a bit of jazz but at some point I thought I was prefering to play with my new bass amp than with my old electric guitar Session amp. So pleased to see I am not the only one and what ONE§ /°
Bellissima esecuzione, in tutto eccellente, anche l'uso della corda bassa sembra avvertirsi e dare maggior colore ai suoni gravi. È un esempio di cosa sia la bellezza nella sua massima espressione. 🎶
Is George playing his Epiphone or is that a Gretsch? The amp is a Fender silverface but I don't recognize the model--maybe a bass amp chosen for that low 7th string? (And I see that he doesn't feel any need for reverb.) Another classic performance on what George called his "lap piano".
At an informal concert in 1972 George brought two of his new Gretches to play. I asked him what pitch he tuned the 7th bass string to. He replied that he tuned one to low A and the other to low G. He said that it keeps him sharp and that he was ALWAYS experimenting with new fingerings. George was just so cool-and also a dear close personal friend! RIP old friend.
Hi Michael - I studied with George and have done some transcriptions of his composition "Lap Piano" from this same performance. I have a Van Eps Excerpts Playlist here in case you might be interested : th-cam.com/play/PLoLOItWSclTWVM6j0k1y21c3XalpIBMhs.html
One of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time.
Such an elegant and fascinating player. Deserves to be much better known. A joy to see him playing in such an inventive fashion. Still tons of energy.
so good
Now THAT is solo jazz guitar 🤩
He had his very own approach for playing guitar that I don't think anyone has ever come close to emulating.
The tone is wonderful.
A real hero and innovator for all that knew of him. And I agree with many on this post ..... he should have gotten a lot more notice and recognition. I know there are a lot of great guitarists who DSID know him and tried to emulate him. What an amazing musician and guitar master. I still have his Soliloquy album (vinyl of course) I will always cherish it and thanks soooo much for all of the TH-cam posts of his live performance work. New inspiration form one of the all time greats. He was born in August 7, 1913 and lived to be 85. He passed away on November 29,1998. RIP George.
To put it simply, George is the Art Tatum of the guitar. He has no equal!
Pasquale Grasso ?
Listen to George play “Once in a while “(1949) on TH-cam.He uses a pick. Experts will tell you that it’s two guitars. No so. Just George.
- - - And he does it on 7 strings. Just saying.
However, Passo is just a fantastic guitarist, keeping the jazz spark alive and well😊!
Lenny Breau
Ted Greene
What a Treasure!!
A lot of great Jazz guitarists played fingerstyle and or chord melody solo style guitar, of whom Joe Pass, Johnny Smith and Ted Greene come to mind - and then there is the GREAT George Van Eps. Wow! Just WOW!!
I close my eyes and wonder how on earth is it possible to get all this out of just one guitar - a veritable compendium of harmony !
Brilliant! No wasted or unnecessary movement.
Another priceless gem from one of the greatest jazz guitar giants of all time! Maestro Van Eps makes the impossible look so easy. Thank you!
What about his stud t Alan Ruse. ???
@@stevemartin3852 Yes, Allen Reuss was a brilliant guitar student of George Van Eps who taught him the guitar. George was Benny Goodman's guitarist at the time (1933-35), and when George decided to leave Goodman's orchestra (because he did not want to go on cross country tours) Benny asked him who was going to take his place. George told Benny, "That's not a problem. I'll bring my star student Allen Reuss over to our next rehearsal. I've taught him just about all he can learn from me, and he will fit the bill with your band perfectly." George, after himself having studied the late premier Jazz guitarist Eddie Lang, whose chordal passages infused with rich harmonies and counterpoint, spiced with splendid arpeggios, all of which in turn had also influenced Karl Kress and Dick McDonough and many others at the time (including Eldon Shamblin in OK City who was with Bob Wills later in 1937). As the years went by George delved in deeper with the style Lang set as a high-water mark and George himself broadened the style by the late 30's (just prior to WWII) with his addition of the 7th string on his Epiphone guitar. Allen Reuss was Goodman's guitarist from late 1934 until 1938 and he left briefly but he was back on Goodman's band off and on until 1943. He was replaced in Goodman's band by Carmen Mastren who only stayed briefly after which Goodman had a string of rhythm guitarists who played in his orchestra (even during the Goodman Sextet period that featured the great electric lead guitarist Charlie Christian 1939-1941). Reuss went on to play with a number of Big Band orchestras and many Jazz and Swing artists.
I know who GVE is ... still speechless!!!
Thanks for sharing this. What a remarkable virtuoso.
Master Class!...❤️
The Great One! RIP!
Wow, so good to find this!! George is my grandfather (Rob) Van Eps brother. We have some old LPs and 78's, but so nice to actually see him perform!
Whatever happened to his collection of special guitars....still in the family?
Yes where did they go?
@@sir60man70what kind of guitars are they?
A master at Harmony and counterpoint.🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
George was one of Ted Greene 's faves 🎸
Un solo aggettivo....meraviglioso!!!!
Wonderful to see these great clips of George, a true Master.
Excellent!!
I love this sound. I wish I could play like this . It’s just so mellow & laid back. 👍
And complicated! 🙂
Thank you for the video
This is the first time aive heard his name or playing, came looking for the origin of the 7 string guitar. Was blown away by this dude! Incredible memory and dexterity. The music is way to complex for mye simple mind to understand whats going on, but it was beautiful.
One of the iconic standards in the hands of a Master.... Lovely indeed :)
This is magnificent. Just splendid. Thank you for putting this online.
amazingly high level of sustained intense focus for over 6 minutes, remarkable performance and arrangement
Congratulations.
Excellent, as always, from Mr. Van Eps. Brilliant and tasteful.
That’s is wonderful playing and sound. When I first saw the guitar amp I thought this isn’t going to be anything special. But then I realized it’s a bass amp with a 15‘ speaker and woofer for the highs. Couldn’t be a better match. I’m in my seventies now and sure wish I knew about him back in the day. He certainly didn’t get the top billing he deserved.
‘
Ha good, I am teaching myself a bit of jazz but at some point I thought I was prefering to play with my new bass amp than with my old electric guitar Session amp. So pleased to see I am not the only one and what ONE§ /°
Bellissima esecuzione, in tutto eccellente, anche l'uso della corda bassa sembra avvertirsi e dare maggior colore ai suoni gravi. È un esempio di cosa sia la bellezza nella sua massima espressione. 🎶
A brilliant musician! RIP Mr Van Eps. Truly one of the all time greats!
Strabiliante
He would be appalled at what most people use a 7 string for nowadays😂😂
-me, with my rack of 7 strings
Imagine if he could hear the beauty Abasi makes, I think Eps would see it.
❤holy beautifulness
What’s his age here ? Brilliant !
Sweet and Lowdown
Alguém veio aqui depois do Aulão #2 do Nelson Faria?????
Ah, this must be the “guitar George” that Mark Knopfler was talking about…..
🤣🤣🤣
he does know all the chords..
Best comment ever
But I wonder if he can make it cry, or sing?
Is George playing his Epiphone or is that a Gretsch? The amp is a Fender silverface but I don't recognize the model--maybe a bass amp chosen for that low 7th string? (And I see that he doesn't feel any need for reverb.)
Another classic performance on what George called his "lap piano".
gretsch
If I played like that I wouldn’t use reverb either.
I think it's a 1968 Gretsch.
Looks like an 18” speaker to me maybe a JBL
Pretty sure it's the Gretsch George Van Eps model (also favored by Bucky Pizzarelli).
Church time.complete classical posture.Master for sure.what type if instrument is he playing?A Gretch?
Gretsch Van Eps model. 7 string
At an informal concert in 1972 George brought two of his new Gretches to play. I asked him what pitch he tuned the 7th bass string to. He replied that he tuned one to low A and the other to low G. He said that it keeps him sharp and that he was ALWAYS experimenting with new fingerings. George was just so cool-and also a dear close personal friend! RIP old friend.
Say, if one of you guys tabbed this out, could I get a copy?
lol
Hi Michael - I studied with George and have done some transcriptions of his composition "Lap Piano" from this same performance.
I have a Van Eps Excerpts Playlist here in case you might be interested :
th-cam.com/play/PLoLOItWSclTWVM6j0k1y21c3XalpIBMhs.html
possibly Metheny got some of his inspiration from George?
I think a lot of people were inspired by him. He wrote the "Harmonic Mechanisms for Guitar" books.
What do you mean he already gone i just found out about this guy. Damn, life is short, better play some guitar.