by Doc Dosco
This week we are feature Canadian jazz guitarist Jake Langley. Wow! This cat smokes. Check him out.
Online Bio
Jake Langley has quickly taken his place as one of Canada's premier jazz guitarists. The media has referred to Jake as a “rising star” and a “hot, young talent”. New York Jazz Magazine says “… infectious… Langley (is) one of the most notable Canadian musicians to come to light in the past years.”
The 33 year old, New York based musician has been gaining international attention in the past four years while touring as part of the world renowned Joey Defrancesco Trio. He also has been gaining critical acclaim with the 2006 international release of his CD “Movin' and Groovin” featuring organist Joey Defrancesco and Byron Landham on Alma/Universal. Jake is featured on the latest Joey Defrancesco release “Authorized Bootleg” (Concord) with George Coleman and received rave reviews for his participation on Joey's 2006 release “Organic Vibes” with Bobby Hutcherson and Ron Blake. Jake is also known in the R&B, Pop, Blues world via his recordings with David Clayton Thomas “Aurora” (Justin Time) and with performing alongside artists Willie Nelson, Rufus Wainright, Bobby “Blue” Bland, KD Lange and Jazz icons Bobby Hutcherson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Pat Labarbara, James Moody, Trudy Pitts, George Coleman, Houston Person, Pee Wee Ellis, Scott Hamilton, Garth Hudson (the Band), Ron Blake and Bill Cosby and others. Jake also appears on the P.B.S. special and DVD “Legends of Jazz”. As a leader of his own group Jake has recorded four CD's “Doug's Garage, and “Non Fiction” and “Diggin In”and was featured at the IAJE convention, and the Montreal and Toronto international jazz festivals. Jake was nominated for a Juno Award “Best jazz recording” in 2007 and he won a JUNO Award in 2003 for his participation in Richard Underhill's award winning CD “Tales From the Blue Lounge”. He won the Canadian National Jazz award in 2004/05/06.
“Langley Soars with conviction and maturity” Mark Ruffin, Downbeat
“Langley's disc proves him to be well steeped in the classic sound of organ-guitar tradition for whom swinging and bluesiness matter most. He's a warm, grooving, flowing player.”Toronto Star”
…this is comfort jazz, warm music with strong grooves and a light effervescence. Langley's polished lines have their own innate sweetness.” Globe and Mail”
Langley pursues hard swinging, clean, bold lines while maintaining firm melodies…this is deeply bluesy jazz” All about jazz”
Guitarist Jake Langley invokes classic jazz guitarists like Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell, spinning clear-toned, luminous lines atop bluesy riffs and funk rhythms.” Toronto Life
Alongside Langley's solo career, he has backed up many other internationally renowned artists live and on record. Jake has been on over 100 recordings and he toured for 2 years and recorded with Fantasy recording artist and Greatful Dead Alumnae, Merl Saunders, and Soul Legend Bobby 'Blue' Bland. Jake has also performed with many top Canadian musicians and during his ten year career in Toronto was a top call session guitarist and can be heard on many television and radio jingles. Live television credits include PBS “legends of Jazz” and in the house band for the 2004/05 Gemini Awards, Gospel Jubalie, 2006 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Featured radio performances include PBS “Live at Yoshi's” with James Moody C.B.C.'s As it Happens, Finklemans Christmas Special, and CBC “On Stage, and “Jazz Beat”. Jake was musical director of the 2005 National Jazz Awards.Jake Langley is a graduate of the Concordia University jazz program, has attended the Banff Center Jazz Workshop in 1996 and has been awarded two Ontario Arts Council Chalmers Awards and a Canada Council Grant to study in New York with jazz guitar legends Pat Martino and Jim Hall. Jake has produced recordings for Roy Hargrove, Sheila Jordan, Rob McConnell, Marc Jordan and others was nominated for a Juno 2007 Juno for his production of the David Braid Quartet CD and he currently produces music at his New York Studio and production house Tone Poet Music.
Jake's website:
Doc Dosco is a jazz guitarist, composer and audio consultant living in Los Angeles, CA. His website is located at http://www.docdosco.com, where you can find more information on the 'What's Hot with Jazz Guitar' columns, audio clips of Doc's playing, and many additional features. Doc now endorses Peerless Guitars and has the website Jazz Guitar Zone to help promote Peerless jazz guitars in the US. He also endorses the new Pignose Valve Tube Amps — great for jazz (and anything else!)
Jake Langley was the guitarist featured on a recent tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Ted Neeley was the actor who potrayed Jesus of Nazareth. The whole production was fantastic, but, I kept telling my wife that I really liked the guitar work during the show. I googled Jake Langley and folks, this guy is for real. He delivered the goods! Awesome show and he took it to the next level.