My father took me to see Joe Pass play Jonathan's in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1986. I was a sixteen-year-old, fairly decent guitarist. There were probably 30 people present at this smokey Jazz Club. But I was front and center, probably six feet from Joe Pass himself the entire time. And that experience changed my life as a guitarist.
As a pianist, I just feel that sometimes the guitar (in the hands of, say, Joe Pass) brings out a special feel to a tune that can never be captured on keys. Wow. Just wow.
Joe Pass was my reason for playing jazz guitar. I saw Joe and Oscar Peterson on the ABC one night. I had this cheesy cassette recorder, the one that sat flat on a desk, designed for dictation, and I held it directly to the tv speaker. I think it was 1974. Joe and Oscar each did a solo stit - Joe played Summertime, Lil' Darlin', How High the Moon, and a couple of tracks that I didn't know. Then, in duet with O.P. they picked up the tempo finishing with a blindingly fast, Sweet Georgia Brown. My recording of the broadcast was understandingly poor but I listened to it over and over. Within a short time I went and bought the book, Joe Pass Guitar Style. I still have the original copy today. The pages are yellow and brittle, covered in notes, pencil marks. My second copy of this wonderful book is well on the path of the first. I still use it in my practise and my teaching. I think the only guitarist who came near to Joe for imagination and technical brilliance was Barry Galbraith. Possibly Tal Farlow. These few are playing in a different realm to the rest of us.
That's what master guitar playing sounds like. I met Joe years ago and had the opportunity to spend a few minutes listening to his take on music. He knew his stuff but was still striving to his best every time he played. RIP Joe, your music lives on!
Look at his leg. He's patting his foot. You can tell by his body language that his whole heart is into what he's doing. The mark of a true artist. RIP Mr. Joe. You were the greatest.
Joe Pass is just pure class ..... always melodic, always with a great original intro, wonderful improvisation, then a great little outro at the end .... I also love the amazing grimacing he does while he plays... like he was finding it hard to play (don't believe that either!). I love this!!!
I never met Joe, but he moved me more than any other player. What always fascinated me about his playing was how effortless it seemed. His mind, ears and hands seemed to work in total harmony - he seemed able to instantly communicate any idea. It was beautiful.
Classic, jazzy, everything embodying the beauty of the music, the lyrics, the melody. I was fortunate to have seen Joe in concert twice. An incredible musician.
Love this. Thanks so much for posting it. Joe sort of says with his guitar, _"so you think you've heard this number?"_ and he plays it so familiar but like you've never heard it before, and then there's a _"you aint seen nothing yet"_ moment on ever turn around, and it keeps getting somehow more and more sophisticated, yet never far from home. I think OP is right when he describes JP as a genius.
Yes, his extra skills, knowledges, music and swing feeling are tremendous. I love him, I'm his admirer. Joe Pass is one of the first guitarists inmy own influence list, like Django Reinhardt, like Charlie Christian, like Wes Montgomery, like Tal Farlow, like Grant Green.
The Oscar Peterson of the guitar, playing the music of Fats Waller. (How I would have loved to have heard the conversation between these two which followed.)
My father took me to see Joe Pass play Jonathan's in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1986. I was a sixteen-year-old, fairly decent guitarist. There were probably 30 people present at this smokey Jazz Club. But I was front and center, probably six feet from Joe Pass himself the entire time. And that experience changed my life as a guitarist.
Awesome 😎
As a pianist, I just feel that sometimes the guitar (in the hands of, say, Joe Pass) brings out a special feel to a tune that can never be captured on keys.
Wow. Just wow.
+TheObserver As a pianist too, I must say that I am more awed by Joe Pass's playing than by Peterson's
Joe Pass was my reason for playing jazz guitar. I saw Joe and Oscar Peterson on the ABC one night. I had this cheesy cassette recorder, the one that sat flat on a desk, designed for dictation, and I held it directly to the tv speaker. I think it was 1974. Joe and Oscar each did a solo stit - Joe played Summertime, Lil' Darlin', How High the Moon, and a couple of tracks that I didn't know. Then, in duet with O.P. they picked up the tempo finishing with a blindingly fast, Sweet Georgia Brown.
My recording of the broadcast was understandingly poor but I listened to it over and over. Within a short time I went and bought the book, Joe Pass Guitar Style. I still have the original copy today. The pages are yellow and brittle, covered in notes, pencil marks. My second copy of this wonderful book is well on the path of the first. I still use it in my practise and my teaching.
I think the only guitarist who came near to Joe for imagination and technical brilliance was Barry Galbraith. Possibly Tal Farlow. These few are playing in a different realm to the rest of us.
That's what master guitar playing sounds like. I met Joe years ago and had the opportunity to spend a few minutes listening to his take on music. He knew his stuff but was still striving to his best every time he played.
RIP Joe, your music lives on!
Joe pass, George benson, Wes Montgomery, and many more. Amazing we get to listen to these guys
The loss of Joe Pass is a huge one in the world of guitar. My FAVORITE Guitarist. Mr. HUMBLE !! Wow ......R.I.P. Joseph
it simply does not get any better than this...
one of the best music videos on the planet...I am out of words to describe the music played by Joe Pass..
Every so often I have remember to never stop reaching for the stars, one of then named JOE!
He sure is a genius! This is level Joe Pass, highest level at guitar.
I love the way Joe glides from position to position, shape to shape!
His playing just dang near brings a tear to my eye he is so good. Thanks!
Look at his leg. He's patting his foot. You can tell by his body language that his whole heart is into what he's doing. The mark of a true artist. RIP Mr. Joe. You were the greatest.
one of the greats. so clean.
with joe pass you feel the music - you want to know who is the best? this man! and ive heard a few. RIP mr. passalacqua
Joe Pass is just pure class ..... always melodic, always with a great original intro, wonderful improvisation, then a great little outro at the end .... I also love the amazing grimacing he does while he plays... like he was finding it hard to play (don't believe that either!). I love this!!!
I never met Joe, but he moved me more than any other player. What always fascinated me about his playing was how effortless it seemed. His mind, ears and hands seemed to work in total harmony - he seemed able to instantly communicate any idea. It was beautiful.
I remember watching Joe play at Sweet Basil during the 70's. I was a very lucky guy to see him in such an intimate setting. A great instrumentalist.
Classic, jazzy, everything embodying the beauty of the music, the lyrics, the melody. I was fortunate to have seen Joe in concert twice. An incredible musician.
Thanks for posting. Joe's brilliance is always welcome.
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 73yo Aussie fan.
Yummy. I shed a few tears during this.
Beautiful interpretation. Thanks Joe.
My God he was so gifted.
Love this. Thanks so much for posting it. Joe sort of says with his guitar, _"so you think you've heard this number?"_ and he plays it so familiar but like you've never heard it before, and then there's a _"you aint seen nothing yet"_ moment on ever turn around, and it keeps getting somehow more and more sophisticated, yet never far from home. I think OP is right when he describes JP as a genius.
Wish I had a chance to listen to him live.
Thanks Dave...a true master at work...
Just incredible
A class of its own !! Unforgotten ... SALUT !!
what an artist
Joe, I saw you play at The Village Gate and you changed my life.
He is a genius. Technically brilliant. Can do anything on a guitar.
Sublime that's what a guitar was really meant to sound like.
guitar genius!
And O.P. had a superb talent as MC.
Fingerstyle electric guitar. Phenomenal .
Wow! outstanding.
Even if I already heard that version, I'm still amazed by such an amount of skill.
Well Done mate!
Yes, his extra skills, knowledges, music and swing feeling are tremendous. I love him, I'm his admirer. Joe Pass is one of the first guitarists inmy own influence list, like Django Reinhardt, like Charlie Christian, like Wes Montgomery, like Tal Farlow, like Grant Green.
truly masterful
Very Nice; wonderful tone and arrangement; thx for sharing
Magical.
Bravo mestre! Que Deus o tenha!
Joe with his beautiful D'Aquisto.
Wish I was living in that era.
I love it even Oscar pays attention, but they are on the same level.. Only thing missing is Ella...
just love it.
I give up! Real genius.
+Rob MacKillop I'm sure that would be the last thing he'd want! Seemed the sort to want to encourage people to play whatever they could.
A genius alright. It's almost too much for my mind to comprehend all at once. But the music is beautiful to my ears.
Thanks for this posting. JP forever!
Beautiful!
Joe Pass foi um gênio da Guitarra.
The Oscar Peterson of the guitar, playing the music of Fats Waller.
(How I would have loved to have heard the conversation between these two which followed.)
Awesome!
fabulous
Amazing...
masterful!
It's my pleasure to listen to his BOOGIE.
Just Wow!
phenomenal..
Genius
So tasteful
WOW!!!
genious
Oh man. Joe is to the guitar what Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum combined are to the piano.
the guitar is his second d'aquisto
HERO! ...Still ..
That D6/9 chord, 1:41, very satisfying.
thank you!
We're clearly all speechless
Beautiful and magnificent. Does anyone know when Joe Pass played this on this BBC show?
*jaw drops*
dear lord.
meraviglioso
Monstro
Came here to listen to a master. :)
Wow!
@ Matin Harris - I think Martin Taylor comes close, but he has the advantages of Joe's shoulders to stand on.
Jazz guitar this is it :)
too amazing. I'm glad I don't play this style, else I'd throw my guitar away and go work at Home Depot!
MONSTER
Çok güzeldi.
enseñales como se hace joe
great
Oscar played some guitar
H
Un petit coup d'œil
This is man is god
Hard to say anythjng negative about this....only reminds me how m7ch n i hate the music n of steve vai
Ridiculous.
Excellent technique but I think Bucky Pizzarelli is better