Johnny Smith

[Ted Eschliman]

This isn't specifically mandolin, but newfound buddy and jazz guitar/mandolin virtuoso, John Eubanks introduced me to the work of Johnny Smith.
I feel kind of silly not having discovered Smith's music before, but it is jaw dropping good, and quite inspiring. There's a great article that explains his departure into obscurity here: Johnny Smith (http://www.bermanmusicfoundation.org/featart.htm#Smith).
Quite inspiring. I'd love to take some of his ideas and express them on the mandolin.

[Dolamon]

Outstanding article Ted. I'd wondered what had happened to him, he just kind of faded out of the picture. If you keep your eyes opened, you may find one or two of the Johnny Smith Guitar theory / teaching books, published by Mel Bay in the 1960's. These are Melody / Rhythm excursions with sometimes, 3 to four chord changes per bar. He really explored alternate voicing and inversions to a point it became bewildering ... until the light comes on.

Good player. Thanks for bringing this up.

(Also for other readers ... scroll up to link for a little insight on MandoHack himself.)

[Spruce]

One of my favorite trivia questions....

Who wrote "Walk, Don't Run" by the Ventures....?

[Steve L]

Ted, Pat Martino always cited Johnny Smith as an early influence...he said he learned about technical precision from listening to Smith. I guess Pat was really paying attention. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[jmcgann]

The Mosaic boxed set is well worth it- remastered and in very hi-fi, all the original Roost Recordings (like 20-some LPs worth) and a cool booklet as well. What a master musician!

[lambdaman]

Ted, just in case you hadn't googled Johnny Smith and found that MelBay still sells one of his books here's a link to it:
http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?productid=93669