Event
Gregory James - Jazz Guitar -- A Cause for Celebration!
âAny Gregory James release is cause for celebration . . . Jamesâ writing and guitar playing are at times so lyrical you expect a vocalist to join in, but donât notice (or mind) when one never appearsâ¦.The mix of jazz and world musics, of electric and acoustic instruments, of simple melodies and impressive chops, makes me homesick for the City by the Bayâs talented melting pot.â â Musician Magazine
âA fine guitarist whose playing is reminiscent of Pat Metheny in its ringing melodies and pastoral harmonies.â â San Francisco Bay Guardian
Gregory Jamesâ compositions are rooted in jazz, branching into an unscripted mix of fresh sounds and spontaneity. His skill as a guitar player developed in the heady atmosphere of 1960s San Francisco, where he was influenced by both bebop jazz and the rock music of the time. He found inspiration in the classical music of Northern India, Afro-Cuban music and the spirituality of Persian poetry. For more than 20 years, Jamesâ explorations of contemporary jazz have interacted with this cultural mélange to create a style both exciting and brand new.
An acclaimed leader with several highly rated CDs to his credit, James has also performed with stars from Ray Charles and Van Morrison to Bola Sete and Vince Guaraldi.
Joining James for his Jazz at Pearl's shows will be Deszon Claiborne on drums, Jonathan Herrera on bass and Baron Shul on sax and flute.
Gregroy James became interested in music at an early age. By the age of 15, he was already playing professionally with some of the best acts in San Franciscoâ¦everything from bossa nova with Amandio Cabral to gigs with Brazilian guitarist Bola Sete and pianist Vince Guaraldi. Jamesâ music evolved quickly, beginning to blur boundaries between rock and jazz. By 1978, he was playing with Chico Hamilton in New York.
Jamesâ versatility has since then only continued to grow, and, as weâve noted, heâs performed with a wide variety of musicians, from Ray Charles and Van Morrison to Jean Luc Ponty.
Jamesâ first album, Alicia, was released in 1978 with great acclaim, leading to both an east and west coast tour. He then returned to start the rock band Video Rouge, performing nationally for a year. In the mid-80s James put aside the electric guitar for acoustic, and began to explore the synthesis of jazz and world roots, producing three albums under his label, Rogue Records: Madagascar, Tibet, and Alphabet Town. In 1996, furthering his improvisational and instrumental exploration, he released Ananda, followed by The Search and Traveller. Downbeat referred to Jamesâ new direction as âbridg[ing] the gap between musical adventure and mass appealâ, while Guitar Player notes his range from âhigh energy polyrhythmic fusion...[to] pastoral impressionistic sketchesâ¦Jamesâ guitar lines are simple, direct and melodic.â
When James opened for Stan Getz, Variety called him âa first-rate electric guitar player.â James has als
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LocationJazz at Pearl's
256 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133
United States
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| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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