This week we are featuring guitarist Steve Cardenas.

Sparkling. That's how I would describe Steve Cardenas' playing.

I caught Steve the first time at a small LA coffee house with a trio consisting Tony do Rosario, an excellent local LA guitarist, and upright bassist Dustin Morgan. (Dustin is a good, solid young bass player that plays with my trio from time to time). I only stayed for one set, but I was impressed.

Later that week, Steve and Tony did the Guitar Night at Spazios so I caught him for a second time. Steve Cardenas has a captivating style. His choice of notes is quite unique. Steve is fluid and precise with a wonderful command of the guitar -- a real joy to watch and listen to. He is somewhat reminiscent of Pat Metheny, but I must confess that for me, Steve plays that particular style better than most anyone I've ever heard before. There were a number of LA jazz and session guitar guys in the audience at Spazios that night to catch Steve, a real testament to high regard in which he is held in by his peers.

Steve Cardenas was complimented well on Guitar Night by fellow guitarist Tony do Rosario, drummer Mark Ferber and 'Demon' Dave Carpenter on bass. I must add here that I have never in my life seen anyone play the upright bass quite like Dave Carpenter (...we all tend to wonder just which planet he really hails from...).

Here is some info from Steve's online bio:
"Steve Cardenas has diverse credits as a performer and recording artist. Having started his musical career in Kansas City, he is now an integral part of the jazz community in New York.

Cardenas has backed up such greats as Eddie Harris, Marilyn Maye, Jay McShann, and Slide Hampton. He has played at various jazz festivals throughout Europe including the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland on three separate occasions. In recent years he regularly performed with such diverse artists as Maria Muldaur, Paul McCandless of the group Oregon, trumpeters/composers Mark Isham and Jeff Beal, bassist Marc Johnson, and rock stylist Tracy Bonham. Currently he is a member of the Paul Motian Electric Bebop Band as well as a quartet led by drummer Joey Baron called "Killer Joey". In addition to this, he leads his own trio performing at various venues around New York City.

Along with his performing and recording experience, Cardenas is a private instructor with the New School in New York and is involved with the "Integrated Arts in Education" program conducted through the Stamford Symphony Orchestra in Stamford, Connecticut. Previously, Steve has taught at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, and he has also led jazz workshops at Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Camps."

Steve's website is located at http://www.stevecardenasmusic.com

Steve currently doesn't have any soundclips up online, however I will certainly make everyone aware the moment they are. He does, however have a new CD called Shebang. I highly recommend it! Check Steve's website for details.

Sidenotes:

Guitarist Tony do Rosario has put together a series of wonderful free jazz guitar seminars every Sunday in here in LA at Sam Ash Music with some of the world's leading jazz guitar players. Last week was guitar legend Ted Greene. Although Ted Greene is primarily known for his famous guitar method books (Jazz Guitar Single Note Soloing, 1 & 2, Modern Chord Progressions and the guitar chord bible Chord Chemistry), he is also a truly amazing player. I will certainly do more on him at a later date.

In addition, Tony has arranged for Pat Martino, Ron Anthony, Herb Ellis and Jimmy Bruno to do upcoming clinics in August. I will report on these guys in future columns. And BTW, if you are anywhere around Los Angeles in the coming month, don't miss these clinics!

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 in Jazz Guitar' columns, audio clips of Doc's playing, and many additional features.