The great San Kenton called his big band "THE COLORS IN SOUND to hint at the various sound textures he used (blending the instruments tones. A lyrical melody is enhanced (or colored) with another instrument doubling the line.
Stan Kenton did it using different instruments (for example: french horn and saxophone or). In this episode, Lou has two guitars with different tone qualities playing the melody, like a "doubling" effect. It can be like a burst of colorful tone.
Enjoy!
EPISODE #43 PRESENTS A PALETTE OF CLEAR TONES ON ELECTRIC & ACOUSTIC JAZZ GUITAR SOUNDS.
Hear a new take on Lou's "KEEP ON DANCING THE DANCE" along with the country type groove on "BEE'S FLAT ON THE RANGE", "SAMBA GALORE", "PROWLER RIDE II" (with a strong bass line at the pulse). An alternate take on "COMING MY WAY" (featuring Mel Davis on keys), and a Miles influenced "QUIET DAYLIGHT" round out this set of original ventures.
We had a blast putting this one together, hope you like it. Enjoy!
This episode unveils Lou's latest songs in a colorful setting using different tones and layers of guitar sound to present a new soundscape for original music. Jazz, samba, blues and rock rhythms are featured here.
Giving your best and your all are discussed as Lou talks about some recording sessions with the great drummer, Steve Gadd, who showed him how important it is to always play with your best game and full enthusiasm and intensity. The wonderful bassist, Ron Carter was also on that date!
Also featured are a couple of studio pieces recorded with the band, Buddy Williams-drums, Stanley Banks-bass, and Onaje,Mel Davis and Delmar Brown-piano & keyboards. Enjoy!
Hear Lou's newest songs with the thoughts and feelings of some of his early idols like John Coltrane, Chet Baker, Charles Earland, Herbie Hancock and others (most of which he actually played with later in his career!).
Featured in this episode are "Haven Raven", "Ambush II", "Blues to You Too", "Coltrane of Thought", and his orchestral "Cousin's Concerto".
Enjoy!
SOME DIFFERENT HARMONIES AND RHYTHMS ARE EXPLORED IN THIS NEW JAZZCAST WHILE SPOTLIGHTING A MORE LIBERAL FRESH INTERPRETATIONS OF THE MELODY LINE. A MORE SOLO-ISTIC STYLE.
LOU TALKS ABOUT HIS FATHER'S LOVE OF THE BIG BAND STARS LIKE COUNT BASIE, CHARLIE BARNET AND THE DUKE.
INCLUDED IN THIS COLLECTION OF ORIGINALS ARE A FEW OF LOU'S CHOICE AND LATEST TUNES AND TOE-TAPPING GROOVES LIKE THE NEW "QUESTION AND ANSWER" AND "CLEAR THOUGHT".
Lou talks about the group in the studio, where the band is featured on his arrangement of "Go To My Head".
Also highlighted in this episode are a few rousing and rhythmic new compositions. One blues tune is built on a strong bass line for the groove. Hope you like it!
Lou previews the new version of his "Seriously", which he wrote and produced after a week in the studio with Miles and Bassist Marcus Miller.
This episode starts off featuring rhythm and groove with a tribute to Brazilian percussionist, the late and great Dom Um Romao, soars through with some recent compositions and ends with Lou's most recent "Think About That". Enjoy!
Lou unveils his new song dedicated to the magic of living in Hollywood and the beautiful Laurel Canyon in L.A.
Hear about Lou's guitar feature during the Judy Collins Show. A song called "Fine Wine" is highlighted here.
Fresh new original songs are also featured along with his group of Bob Cranshaw on bass, Onaje on piano and Buddy Williams on the drums. Plus, an acoustic version Lou's soon to be released "A TO Z". Enjoy!
This new episode has Lou talking about his "discovery" of Big Bands when on the way home from his guitar lesson, he saw the great Maynard Ferguson playing with the big band at the Metropole on this tiny stage! A lasting impression was made. Right after that, Lou started studying arranging with some top arrangers around town.
Hear Jazz Guitar play orchestrations on multiple guitars to simulate the different horn sections in a big band. WE HOPE YOU LIKE IT!
Hear Lou talk about and perform music associated with and played by the great Cannonball Adderely. His music played an important role on Lou's studies, and developing a tone and technique. Lou demonstrates how the saxophone master affected his playing and composing. A "feel good" groove was one of Cannon's trademarks. (And Miles had both Cannonball and Trane in his band at one time!)
Also, this episode includes some of Lou's latest compositions, many of which were truly influenced by the great alto saxophonist's sound and rhythm.
Plus a "live" and rousing up tempo of "Things".
Hope you enjoy!
Hear Lou play 10 snippets of his latest songs for an upcoming project along with a salute to one of his most influential mentors, Mc Coy Tyner. Different rhythms and harmonies are explored with various guitar tones to make this latest podcast truly special. We hope you like it!
This episode features Lou playing "clear tone" style on some of his songs from the past, a few spontaneous compositions arranged for two guitars, and a story about meeting and playing with guitar great, Larry Coryell. Hear Lou's new JAZZY "BLUES TO LARRY". Plus a solo take on his original "PRECIOUS JEWEL" Hope you like it!
More of Lou's recent compositions are on display along with originals and standards he recorded or played with 2 of his favorite former employers: Chaka Khan and Herbie Mann. Hear Lou talk about and play music from his time at the iconic Atlantic Records recording studio. He got to know and play for the great producer Arif Mardin while working at Atlantic. Enjoy the set!
This latest episode presents Lou's latest writings in sketch form along with a totally orchestrated master recording. The sketches demonstrate the different grooves and rhythms of these harmonically rich new tunes. Enjoy!
Hear Lou play PART 2 of his JAZZ GUITAR AND BLUESY new songs. A strong tone and a solo-istic approach to the melody statement gives these tunes a new twist and vibrant color. Enjoy!
This episode features melodies and"heads" or lead lines performed with a feeling of playing a solo rather than a rigid statement of the melody.
Lou performs some of his latest compositions with this concept in mind while demonstrating a soulful portrayal of these new songs.
Also included are a few brand new renditions of some of Lou's tunes which were released on previous recordings. Enjoy.
GUITAR VOICES ON ORIGINAL AND CLASSIC COMPOSITIONS are featured in this week's new episode. Hear Lou play solo guitar versions of some standards along with refreshing new takes of previously released and soon to be released renditions of his own tunes and riffs!
Spontaneous renditions of these original and classic songs meet studio/arranged versions showing the different attitudes of these 2 methods of performance. Sometimes the "off the cuff" recordings are more powerful than the thought out, pre-determined ones. Plus, a few new compositions added to the mix. Hope you enjoy!
This new episode continues last week's format with PART 2 of BLUESY-JAZZY Guitar renditions of Lou's latest compositions featuring demos and their Master versions as he introduces excerpts from the soon-to-be released "BEFORE AND AFTER" album on Jazz Guitar Records.
A few new songs are also performed with a look back at a Herbie Mann classic groove from when he was writing and playing for the great flutist.
Hope you like it!
Guitarist Lou Volpe takes you on a tour of demos to Masters of his latest creations showing original demo versions and the evolution to final Masters. Different Contemporary and Latin rhythms are used to make unique and strong grooves for the soon to be released "BEFORE AND AFTER" and beyond. Enjoy!
This latest jazzcast features a live Quartet version of Green Dolphin Street (inspired by Lou's time playing with Herbie Hancock) along with the latest compositions written for the new album, "Before and After".
Listen to studio versions of new music along with standards as Lou plays a spirited performance of a jazz standard!
Hear the music used to demo the feel and groove of the latest upcoming release.
Join Lou on a journey from the composing desk to the recording studio and to the concert stage.
Lou shares his songwriting methods with sketches of compositions for the new album.
Then into the studio and on to the concert performance stage with the Quartet.
Different guitar tones and sounds are featured throughout this high energy podcast.
From "straight ahead" to Contemporary, the trio and Guitar Choir are showcased in this episode of original compositions.
Rhythm and groove come first. Then, different guitar sounds and musical backdrops to bring out some of the best of Lou's unique style. Enjoy!
This episode features different guitar tones and sounds to demonstrate how they can affect the overall attitude and message of the melody or the whole song.
Hear Lou play a live solo from his last concert at the Dizzy Gillespie Theater along with other originals and standards.
The acoustic guitar sound is also used to hear the great contrast of tone.
This latest podcast brings out Lou's "Les Paul" roots in a few American standards.
An original piece, "Perseguidor de Suenos" uses a waltz or triplet feeling against a samba groove on top of a Spanish inspired melody!
The idea of simple and beautiful Melodies are also explored along with a "live" version of a classic.
The basics of arranging music for a recording session are explored as Lou plays a new take on Stella.
The big band is back in this episode with a rousing Trumpet section, not to mention the Trombones, Saxes and Rhythm section!
An acoustic guitar tone is featured on the pensive "Mountain Stream".
The Quartet is also highlighted in this recording from our concert last year at the Dizzy Gillespie Theater. A new take on a classic.
Listen to multiple guitars respond and "play off" each other in the first segment with "But Not Really For Me".
Hear an arrangement written for a full orchestra, but played with different guitar sounds and tones to simulate the different instrument parts.
Also featured in this episode is a little story about Lou's sessions for the great Miles Davis and "guitar sounds".
And a live performance with the Quartet and Green Dolphin Street.
Get an up-close view of jazz guitar duo playing a fresh take on a few of Lou's original tunes and the trio live with a different interpretation of "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic".
Also in this Episode is a little story of Lou's meeting and playing with George Benson for the first time.
Episode #16 brings you into Jazz Guitar and shows you some of the nuts and bolts of Lou’s writing and arranging for guitar, jazz trio, and a big band.
Included is a new big band arrangement on a song that Lou is writing but orchestrating it here with guitars rather than horns. Enjoy!
This latest episode talks about how different melodies, rhythms, music styles, or a particular sound or tone of the lead instrument or voice can effect the listener's emotions: to feel happy or sad or melancholy, or joyful, exhilarated or just plain old feel-good.
"Whether you hear John Coltrane on the tenor or soprano saxophone, or Carlos Santana hitting that beautiful perfect note at just the right moment, or any breathtaking moment, you can experience energy, or relaxed or just feel great!"
Piano and guitar "trade-offs" are also highlighted as the rhythm and the pulse build-up throughout this podcast.
Hear Lou play "live" at the club and in the studio as the Blues, Jazz, and Contemporary Jazz are demonstrated and talked about.
Original songs and productions are used to show the different styles and rhythms (grooves) that the guitar is at home with and enhances.
Guitar and piano interplay is demonstrated on Lou's original "If You Should Leave".
A good episode for listening, feeling "up" and great for Driving!
Visit the studio and the live stage with Lou talking about his style of producing or arranging a song for recording or a "live show".
Plus, some double guitar tracks of original music dedicated to and in the spirit of John Coltrane, Herbie Mann and Lou's Jazz Quartet.
21.5 minutes of perfect drive-time and listening grooves in this episode!
This latest episode plays and talks about songs and composing ideas. Good rhythm and different grooves, then arranging a piece for a big band plus a string section for a Jazz Guitar point of view.
Hear some new takes on tunes from Lou's CDs.
A technique for writing melodies and lead parts is explored also. Like riffing over various chord patterns. And more.
Listen to a "live" performance of the new arrangement of "Tenderly" with the trio. A guitar solo leads into a swing rhythm with the bass and drums a la Ray Brown and Shelley Manne. Somewhat reminiscent of a Barney Kessel (one of Lou's favorite guitarists) production.
Hear the "guitar choir" backing the melody on an alternate take of "Spanish Harlem" from the "Undercovers" CD.
There is also a 3 guitar rendition of Lou's "Can You Hear That?". And more... like the almost finished groove of "Gretsch Groove"
This episode features a visit to the studio with guitar playing "live" to tracks of the rhythm section from the new CD, "Remembering Ol' Blue Eyes".
Lou talks about his first harmony and arranging teacher and writing a new harmony or different chord structure for a melody. The standard tune, "It Could Happen To You" is played to show this "re-harmony".
Rhythm grooves and combinations are discussed and demonstrated on an up-tempo arrangement of "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise".
There is also a new rendition of Lou's "Sweet Miss 'T'" with two guitars.
Follow Lou into the recording process from guitar demo to a master recording session for his "Hear And Now" CD featuring versions of "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise".
Jazz Guitar for TV is also explored in this episode during Lou's segment on being staff guitarist for the Dick Cavett Show.
This podcast features Lou playing and talking about his first arrangements and compositions. Judy Collins' live performances would feature Lou's guitar and composing skills, which led to many arranging and production gigs in New York.
There is also a sample of one of Lou's big band recording sessions! Including his Jazz guitar roots.
Hear Lou talk about integrating the music and harmonies of the great and innovative John Coltrane into his guitar playing, composing, and solos. How the star of the Miles Davis' group would re-harmonize...almost re-write songs of the great American composers: George and Ira Gershwin, Nancy Hamilton, Morgan Lewis, Cole Porter. Lou demonstrates this music on the guitar along and with his group and talks about how studying it, developing a technique from it and living with the music note for note influenced his music and his world.
New York City guitarist Lou Volpe talks about his performances and recordings with the great Bette Midler, his first major tour, the lifestyle of rehearsing and playing in LA (Hollywood to be exact) and features guitar performances of music he wrote and played from that time. Also discussed is a technique he developed for solo guitar playing inspired by the legendary piano greats of jazz, like Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Kelly, Tommy Flannigan, Hank Jones and others. The acoustic guitar is used to demonstrate this style.
Lou shares some behind the scenes experiences and some funny scenarios while working as a theater or Broadway show musician playing in the orchestra pit. Movie and entertainer legend, Mickey Rooney was starring in a production Lou was playing in. Hear how Mickey got into the hearts of all the musicians in the orchestra.
Also covered is Lou's first "Guitar Seminar & Class". A 6 week course with the goal of getting 20 students with guitar skills ranging from total beginner to advanced guitarist, to feel and play the blues and perform George Harrison's "My Guitar Gently Weeps". A lofty challenge for sure. But, hear how these students rose to the occasion.
In this episode Lou talks about his first guitar teacher who had a very unusual teaching technique, his first meeting with Les Paul during his high school days, playing with Les at the Irridium in New York City a few years ago and learning to arrange for big band through lessons with guitarist, Sal Salvador.
He also reflects on his gigs with Roberta Flack, some pre-show rituals of various groups and a tribute concert honoring George Harrison.... Along with some music associated with these wonderful artists.
We talk about and listen to music and some stories behind the music while playing guitar accompanying the great soul singer, Chaka Khan, the always amazing Grammy winning pianist, Herbie Hancock and the legendary Freddie Hubbard on trumpet.
Hear Lou play his versions of songs he did with these great icons of Jazz, plus talk a little about Arif Mardin at Atlantic Records and the impromptu gig he played with the great Freddie Hubbard at Italy's Perugia Jazz Festival!
Thanks for joining us on our first podcast. In our first episode jazz guitar artist Lou Volpe from New York City talks about jazz music, technique, composition and shares some stories about preforming and recording with musical artists Herbie Mann and Peggy Lee.