Scott Henderson Discussion

[fusiontone]

Hi Scott,

I noticed that Phil deGruy will be performing in LA on September 19. What exactly makes Phil such a great player?
http://www.guitarp.com/

[Scott Henderson]

I'm assuming you haven't heard him or you wouldn't need to ask that question. Phil is one of the most advanced guitarists alive. He has the ability to play bass lines, harmony, and melody all at the same time, which all solo guitarists can do, but what makes Phil so special is that he does it in a more modern and interesting way than anyone else, in my opinion. His playing is pure genius and I think he's the successor to Ted Greene as the world's finest solo guitarist. He also plays a special guitar with high-tuned harp style strings, which gives him more sounds to work with. There are other solo guitarists who might do the traditional Joe Pass style of solo guitar better than Phil does - that's not really his thing. I like to think of Phil as a one man orchestra - and he doesn't limit his repertoire to jazz standards, which I find refreshing.

Everyone I've played Phil's records for, or taken to one of his shows, was astounded by what they heard. There is no guitarist on Earth with a more advanced harmonic concept and contrapuntal abilities than Phil.

[pedrobellora]

Scott,
thanks for letting us know about Phil deGruy! I didn't know him and I'm listening right now to some of his music on youTube. I'll try to find one of his records, as it's always great to hear a new voice in this style of solo-guitar players.

Anyway: thanks again, and hope all is well!
Best wishes,

- Pedro
_________________
www.pedrobellora.com.ar

[ma36scott]

Hi Scott - on a sorta-kinda related topic, I just finished reading "One Long Tune", the Lenny Breau biography. In the book it talks about how he did some workshops, and was nearly hired as an instructor, at MI right before he died in '84. Did you have any sort of interactions (musical or otherwise) with him during this time? This post about Phil deGruy just made me think about that.

Thanks!

[Scott Henderson]

It's definitely a related topic because Phil has obviously drawn inspiration from Lenny, and has a lot of stories about him. I was teaching at GIT in '84, but I never heard any discussion about hiring Lenny - that would've been amazing. He was a brilliant guitarist, and though I never met him, I've heard from many people that he was always happy to share his knowledge of the guitar.

[sieuminh]

Hi Scott, then I wonder if you like Sylvain Luc?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5bz8qhh0qU

[sieuminh]

Hi Scott, then I wonder if you like Sylvain Luc?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5bz8qhh0qU

[Scott Henderson]

I'm only hearing one tune here so I can't judge from only this. He's obviously a monster player with amazing chops, but more traditional in a harmonic way than Philip DeGruy. The chops thing doesn't do much for me to be honest - the faster the notes, the more bored I get. I'm more interested in harmonic creativity, and for me there are only a handful of solo guitarists who really push the envelope. Ted Greene was one of them, and certainly Phil. Joe Diorio's solo guitar work was breathtaking. Charlie Hunter is amazing - he has a very deep sense of harmony, as did Lenny Breau. And let me add that I can't compare myself to any of these guys, because it's not what I do. However it's what I like to listen to, and I definitely have my favorite players in this style. I have a lot of modern harmony in my head for composing, but I don't have instant access to it on the guitar like these guys do. My least favorites among solo guitarists are the traditional jazz guys who are playing the harmony of their tunes in a more literal way. I've heard these guys a lot and though I deeply respect their abilities, it's not what moves me. That's why I love Weather Report so much - because they made harmony into a mysterious and otherworldly thing, and often got completely away from traditional harmony. Phil does that on the guitar.