Subj : Re: the great ones... To : Alan Tenorio From : Martin Ridgley Date : Mon Jul 24 2000 06:47 am -=> Alan Tenorio wrote to Martin Ridgley <=- **> re: B.B. King: AT> But watching him play showed me that it was cool to play finger AT> vibrato with the 1 finger. I also picked up his vibrato technique AT> by watching him. I think some call it the 'butterfly.' Yeah, it is cool. A friend of mine copped that same technique from B.B. AT> ..I was also lucky to have spoken with Ray Brown and Jeff Hamilton... Cool! I didn't talk to Jeff, but I was pleased to find that Ray seemed such a personable, friendly guy. AT> I attended their forum but felt disappointed when Herb Ellis (another AT> one of my jazz idols) couldn't make it because he was a bit ill. AT> I sure would've enjoyed watching his fingers that close. Yeah, I often used to go to a small supper club in Toronto that featured live jazz. I particularly liked the place because of it's cozy, intimate atmosphere. I saw Herb Ellis there twice. The second time I was able to get a seat right in front of the stage - about four or five feet from Mr. Ellis. What a treat! I also saw Barney Kessel there twice, Ed Bickert about a dozen times, and numerous other well-known jazz musicians. AT> ...after the group finished a few songs, I walked up to Mr. Brown AT> and his upright bass, got his autograph on my Guitar Player, and... AT> He still managed to get that acoustic sound without the electronics AT> getting into the way. The amp's volume was just right and did not AT> overpower the acoustic bass' sound. Yeah, it seems Ray *always* gets the most wonderful tone from his bass. AT> Then he continued to tell me about the place where he came from. AT> He said that there were about a dozen players who could spin the AT> upright 360 or more degrees and get back to the song without AT> missing a beat. He also said that it was common for these bass AT> players to slap the upright. Mr. Brown then proceeded to AT> demonstrate. ;-) It sure was a memorable experience! No doubt! I sure wish I could have watched that little demonstration! AT> I got to shake the hands of one of the greatest jazz musicians of AT> all time. Small world, huh? You and I have shaken the same man's hand. ;-) AT> BTW, your name reminds me of a line of acoustic guitars. If I had AT> the money, I would get one! Hehe... I wouldn't mind owning one, but if I had that kind of money, I think there are probably a couple of other makes that I'd prefer. I've never played a Martin that felt exactly right for me, whereas I've fallen in love with a couple of Guilds and Gibsons over the years. I really don't know why that is, 'cause lots of people swear by Martins.... Hmmm.... ;-\ Martin ~~~~~~~~ ___ MultiMail/MS-DOS v0.36 --- Maximus 3.01 * Origin: The BandMaster, Vancouver, B.C., Canada (1:153/7715) .