Thinking of a BRW... Actually, playing one.

Fellow picker Doug Young has been kind enough to send us his recently acquired prototype BRW Oval Hole for JazzMando Lab staff scrutiny, fresh off the workbench of wood & metal artist/prodigy Ben Wilcox. A brilliant Cherry Cola-tinted Lyon & Healy tribute, this three-pointer has been fun to play; we look forward to documenting its recent birth. (Okay, two-pointer from the waist up, for all you L & H purists. Ben has added an ergonomic lap corner.)

Stay tuned. Until then visit Ben's website: BRW Instruments

Posted by Ted at 10:57 AM

September 28, 2006 | James Condino Review

At last, our two-week personal journey into the fine craftsmanship of Professor James Condino. The enlightening experienced afforded us an intense, hands-on experience with two fabulous examples of this true pioneer's work, the African Blackwood and the eccentric green Cricket mandolins.

We've weighed in with a featured review in our Builder's Spotlight.

Breath-taking stuff!

Read James Condino Review

View Picture

Posted by Ted at 11:21 AM

September 27, 2006 | J P Charles

Jean Paul Charles is a First Class builder from Brazil. A phenomenal player as well, the French transplant fell in love with Brazilian culture (and his Brazilian-born wife), and specializes in bold new designs of mandolin (electric and acoustic), jazz guitar, cavaquinho, and bass. His hand-made instruments feature some of the best Brazilian hardwoods available.

We were introduced to the work of Charles through pioneer jazz mandolinist, Michael Lampert, who happened to hook up with the luthier during a month-long stay in the Brazil bay area several years ago. Michael himself owns two Charles instruments, a hollow-body electric 4-string and a very much treasured custom-made bandolim.

The Charles sillouhettes and incredible sense of line are plenty intriguing; check his amazing website!

J P Charles Luthier

Contact: email

Posted by Ted at 06:01 AM

September 26, 2006 | Dave Apollon Clip

Legendary Dave Apollon, billed throughout his career as "The World's Greatest Mandolin Virtuoso," and captured in a rare 1951 video performance with Victor Borge to give you a small taste of this craftsman. Emigrating at an early age from Russia, this virtuoso wowed audiences throughout the country, a popular vaudeville act in New York in the 30's and 40's, brush with Hollywood Producers in the 50's, and eventually became a regular in Las Vegas. Known for his "over the top" solo act, the consummate showman, he is credited as a major influence on Jethro Burns.

View Video

Posted by Ted at 05:45 AM

September 23, 2006 | Hot Club of San Francisco Workshop in Iowa

The Civic Music Association of Des Moines presents a free workshop workshop with the members of Hot Club of San Francisco, Friday, October 6th at 8pm at Drake University, Olmsted Center, (Pomerantz Stage).

A laid back atmosphere, the workshop will last for an hour; those who participate will break off into small groups with the members of HCSF and work separately with a gathering of the whole group at the end. If you're with driving distance of Des Moines, catch the fun and a great opportunity to experience something new with your instrument.

Hot Club consists of 3 guitars, a bass and a violin, but any string instruments who are interested in working with some experienced jazz musicians are welcome. Open spots available, but email or call soon if interested in working with Hot Club.

Contact: Michele Slawson, Executive Director, Civic Music Association
400 Locust, Suite 220 Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone - 515.280.4020 email

Hot Club of San Francisco Website

Posted by Ted at 05:36 AM

September 22, 2006 | Ribeiro 10-String Bandolim

As promised, exclusive pictures of the new Hamilton de Holanda Signature 10-string Bandolim from Brazilian Master Craftsman, Tércio Ribeiro. We've the good fortune of direct contact with this magnificent builder just hours after completion.

See pictures & read specs in our Builder "Spotlight" section: Ribeiro

Posted by Ted at 05:11 AM

September 21, 2006 | Lewis OM

In the oven in his California Workshop o' Magic, a Michael Lewis Octave Mandolin. Carved from wood that had been stored for over 12 years in his shop, Michael boasts the instrument rings like cast iron as he cuts; nothing like having complete control over the dryness destiny of a good quality piece of wood.

Custom built for fellow mandolin connoisseur and Boston Lawyer, Richard Michaud, the OM will be based on the early L5 16" body, much like the Nugget that Tim O'Brien plays. Guitar shaped bodies make for a bigger sound. In the cerebral drawing board, Lewis is contemplating a mandocello using an 18" wide archtop guitar body. "It should growl and roar wonderfully!" he ponders. "It is a great feeling to have lots of power at your command. When I get finished with current orders I will work one into my schedule. That will be in a couple years, and I wish I could start one right now."

So do we!

View Picture: Lewis OM

Visit the beautiful mandolin eye candy at the Michael Lewis website.

Read our review: Michael Lewis Ritz D'Jango

Posted by Ted at 08:45 AM

September 20, 2006 | Check out Mando ModeExplorer

For those looking to exponentially expand their mandolin chord and scale vocabulary a visit to the Northern Midwest high tech labs of Mando ModeExplorer is well worth your nickel. It's one thing to refer to a piece of paper with inked out chords, quite another to hear and see the chords work in motion, utilizing the latest in software technology.

Packed in the program is a much usable, practical insight into the way chords are formed and how they interact. Included is a delicious assortment of examples of chord progressions from familiar jazz standards. This alone is worth the price of admission, but it's great to see the chords, modes, and scales, as well as a computer graphic of a lovely Rigel (R.I.P) A+ Deluxe Mandolin and fingerboard with lights to visually guide your fingers realtime.

If you can't have a teacher in your presence 24/7, this is the next best thing. Less than the cost of a couple good lessons.

Maybe better grooming habits, too.

Check it out: Mando ModeExplorer Website

Posted by Ted at 06:01 AM

September 17, 2006 | Jaco & Toots

We celebrate musicians setting new boundaries on what an instrument is capable, especially when it reaches beyond traditional conventions. Two of our favorites, harmonica-wielding Belgian wonder Toots Thielemans and the tortured-artist genius electric bass player, Jaco Pastorius team up in this incredible YouTube video on the Ellington standard "Sophisticated Lady."

Busting out of the traditional role of straw-hatted reed-blowing clowns of the 50's & 60's, Thielemans has woven lyrical chromatic wonders in his amazing jazz music for decades; recently into his 80s, he has set a whole new standard for a generation of harmonica players. Jaco remains an icon for bass players around the world. His days with ground-breaking fusion in Weather Report continues to impact and influence.

View Video: Toots and Jaco

Dream of breaking new ground in mandolinning.

Posted by Ted at 07:31 PM

September 16, 2006 | Chronic MAS

Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome or MAS can be a life-impacting condition, and we've certainly got a chronic case around it here. With a James Condino Striped Ebony mandolin in the JazzMando Lab for official review and his lovely green Cricket on the way, we fear one of them may not get returned...

Recent pictures from the woodbench of eccentric wizard/luthier Bill Bussmann also has us tingling with delight; latest picture of our 4-string Alto Guitar/Jazz Mandola, AKA "Solocomp" is close to final stages. Englemann top, 335 Jazzbox body, we're aiming for an instrument to give us maximum Chord Melody playing style abilities.

Looks like a winner!

View picture. (The one on the left)

Posted by Ted at 06:26 AM

September 15, 2006 | Live Webcast: Best of Brazil

Featured album on Wednesday's "Best of Brazil," the ever brilliant bandolimist Hamilton de Holanda and his Quintet's recent release, Brasilianos on Sept 20, 2006 on Lincoln, Nebraska's KZUM 89.3 FM Community Radio from from 1 to 3 pm CDT. Producer and Host, Randy Morse presents an excellent, carefully researched two-hour weekly series on the great jazz and popular music of Brazil including biographies and provocative program notes, and the show can be heard globally on the internet:

Live Webcast: KZUM

For future show playlists and complete artist information, see the Best of Brazil website for this incredible selection of some of the worlds best music, Best of Brazil.

Read our recent review: Brasilianos

Posted by Ted at 01:35 PM

September 14, 2006 | Gringo do Choro Livestream Concert

Rick Trolsen and Gringo do Choro "Jazz in June" concert to be rebroadcast on NET Public Radio.

LINCOLN, Neb. Sept. 14, 2006 In September, NET Radio's "Nebraska Concerts" series offers classical music from the Omaha Symphony and the Calder Quartet, as well as a concert from this summer's Jazz in June series. The weekly NET Radio series of fine classical and jazz music performed and recorded on Nebraska's stages airs Sundays at 2 p.m. CDT.

Sunday, Sept. 24, brings a new venue for "Nebraska Concerts," Jazz in June, an annual outdoor concert series set in the Sculpture Garden of the UNL Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery in Lincoln. This concert features New Orleans-based trombonist Rick Trolsen and Gringo Do Choro, playing music mixing European harmonies and Brazilian rhythms.

Featured with the popular New Orleans based Quintet, former Loyala University faculty, John Eubanks on mandolin. The concert will be livestreamed for the internet on the NET Public Broadcasting website Sept. 24, 2:00 PM: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/nprn/ppr/index.shtml

Pictures of the June 20th concert can be view at the JazzMando website: Rick Trolsen and Gringo do Choro

Posted by Ted at 06:56 AM

September 13, 2006 | Complicated Shoes

After seeing a Seinfeld rerun (huge fans around the JazzMando Lab), we had to pause to consider musicians' shoes:

Episode #172 (March 19, 1998) "The Burning"

Jerry: Hey, so Sophie gave me the "It's me" on the phone today.

Elaine: "It's me?" Isn't it a little premature?

Jerry: I thought so.

Elaine: Hah. She's not a "me". I'm a "me".

George: I'm against all "it's me"s. So self-absorbed and egotistical, it's like those hip musicians with their complicated shoes!

So, what would a jazz mandolinist wear on his/her feet? Would they be "complicated?"

Speculation

Posted by Ted at 05:39 AM

September 10, 2006 | East Flatbush Blues

Long awaited, Andy Statman's first recording in 25 years, East Flatbush Blues is now on sale. We heard early masters of it last year; arguably not intensely jazz, it's still a powerful "album of American roots and original melodies." Many great jazz mandolin artists such as Don Stiernberg and Michael Lampert point to influences of the incredible virtuosity and stunning abilities of Andy Statman.

Order early from Elderly music, expected arrival date 10/10/06: East Flatbush Blues

Artist Website

Posted by Ted at 12:11 PM

September 08, 2006 | Tércio Ribeiro

New from Brazilian luthier Tércio Ribeiro, glimpses of his stunning Hamilton de Holanda signature model, 10-string Bandolim. The master craftsman is soon to unveil this wonderful instrument to the world, with hints of a new signature Bouzouki in the works as well.

Hamilton is taking the world by storm with his challenging pyrotechnical, intensely passionate Brazillian flavored jazz, and we've got two sneak-preview pictures of the instrument that is getting the job done:

View Bandolim1

View Bandolim2

Read our review Brasilianos

Posted by Ted at 06:02 AM

September 07, 2006 | Condino New Century

Coming soon from the magical workshop of master luthier, James Condino, the New Century Mandolin. James notes "The basic idea is that I got a very relaxed and candid chance to spec out and play the original snakehead Loar A5 a few years ago and this represents my interpretation of it. It is made from some incredible quilted maple and Adirondak red spruce that was seasoned for 103 years when I started carving it. I like this one so well, I may keep it for my personal instrument. I do happen to have two more complete sets of the identical materials that were sister cut form the same logs, but orders are out 18 months right now!"

Pictures will be available soon. We are also eager for the arrival of his famous Cricket model and another surprise for a closeup Spotlight Review very soon. Staff members in the JazzMando laboratory are all atwitter with anticipation!

Condino website

View the Cricket

Posted by Ted at 05:40 AM

September 05, 2006 | Mike Shellans Christens Website

Introducing the website of Mike Shellans at www.mikeshellans.com. Teacher (Arizona State University), author, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, Mike also holds the mandolin in high regard and features some tasty eight-string eye candy in his gear section. (Fabulous Michael Lewis F5, Mike!)

A consummate jazz connoisseur and Beatles expert, Mike embodies a well-rounded pedigree of playing experiences and pop-music expertise, and has pioneered highly popular online courses at ASU.

Check out the great sounds and pictures at his site!

Mike Shellans Website

Mega Dittos, Mike...

Posted by Ted at 05:56 AM

September 04, 2006 | Lessons at the Cafe

Perhaps you've already discovered this for yourself but it bears repeating. A great place for a novice to start building a chord and style vocabulary is in the Lessons section of the popular mandolin website www.mandolincafe.com.

We've contributed several lessons on our popular FFcP series, but you can also pick up some gems like Twelve Essential Jazz Chords (by the site administrator, Scott Tichenor, who is an incredible jazz mandolinist himself), and several lessons on Swing Mandolin by Seth Rosen.

You'll also want to check out the Rhythm Changes lessons. Spend sometime over there and after the main course, enjoy a little Eye Candy for dessert.

Visit Website: Lessons

Posted by Ted at 07:33 AM

September 02, 2006 | Will Patton in Montgomery Village

Native Vermonter and mandolin innovator Will Patton is one we enjoy following. We had the pleasure of spending time with him at Rigelfest in 2005. Personable and passionate about his music, Will brings a new standard to jazz mandolinning.

Having been a jazzer first (professional bass player for many years), Will took a different approach to learning the mandolin. Largely self-taught, he took a "work backward" approach by internalizing the sound & what he wanted out of his Vintage Gibson A, and developing specific techniques to achieve that sound. He chords differently and accesses patterns in an untraditional way, but the results are stunningly beautiful, his tone rich and complex. His music literally goes through his head first (composing away from the instrument while hiking or other unrelated activity) and then putting them into wood and steel.

Will's Quintet is performing at Pratt Hall in Montgomery Village, Vermont Saturday, Sept. 2 at 8:00 PM.

Read article.

Read reviews of all three of his terrific CDs in our Gypsy/Choro Recommended Listening.

Artist Website.

Posted by Ted at 06:10 AM

September 01, 2006 | The Mandolin Cup

Sometimes we feel like when beboping through classic high tempo Parker tunes like Donna Lee or Anthropology, we're in a horse race. (and losing...)

News to us, there is a "Mandolin Cup." According to the online version of the "Hindu" in Chennai India, "Clockwork" stands a pretty good chance in the 1,800 m event.

With a name like that, one sure bet--she keeps pretty good time...

Posted by Ted at 05:33 AM