This week we revisit Canadian jazz guitarist Brian Hughes. Brian has a new CD called Along The Way.

Online Bio

Considering the musical journey that Brian Hughes has been on since becoming one of contemporary jazz's most popular guitarists, it's beautifully appropriate that he titled his long anticipated A440 Music Group debut Along the Way. Showcasing his most exciting melodies and guitar performances to date, the collection reflects on his cross country move from Toronto to Los Angeles and features guest performances from contemporary jazz stars, saxophonist Eric Marienthal and trumpet sensation Chris Botti.

Since the release of Along The Way in July of 2003 the title track has enjoyed airplay from coast to coast. "Son Y Lola" was picked as "Song of the Year" by JazzTrax Syndicated Radio with the album landing at #2 position for 2003 and "Omaha Unbound", another track from the CD, garnering #6 position in the Song of the Year category. Along The Way also made the preselection category for a Grammy nomination in the Contemporary Jazz category and Canadian Smooth Jazz Radio picked both the Album and Title Track in the #2 positions of 2003. Shannon West, freelance radio personality and reviewer, touted "Along The Way" as the best CD of 2003 and had this to say: "I can't recall a recent release that sounds like Along The Way. It is timeless, no gimmicks, faddish tricks or bells and whistles, just excellent musicians playing their hearts out. Years from now it will sound as strong and as fresh as it does today".

"There is definitely a travel theme to Along The Way", says Hughes, "inspired partly by my move to Southern California and also by my extensive touring with (multi-platinum selling vocalist/recording artist) Loreena McKennitt " (a 16 year relationship of recording and performing that continues to this day). "In a way the new CD is a kind of loosely knit collection of musical postcards from my travels and the title serves as a metaphor for my musical journey."

Along with the move and settling into life in Los Angeles, Hughes also took time between his last album Shakin' Not Stirred and Along The Way to produce Gold selling albums for Greek recording artists Evanthia Reboutsika and Yanis Kotsiras, accompany Celtic music legends, The Chieftains, on several tours and perform in Bucharest, Romania to a crowd of 75,000 with Gypsy pan flutist Damian for a PBS television concert special.

Hughes has carved out an impressive career in the jazz arena. His first two albums, Between Dusk and Dreaming and Under One Sky, firmly established him as one of the foremost guitarists and composers in the contemporary jazz genre, perfectly blending his fluid and emotive guitar style into an exciting, melodic mix of Latin, Jazz and World Music compositions. After being picked as a winner in JAZZIZ Magazine's "Guitars On Fire" competition his subsequent recordings Straight To You, One 2 One, and Shakin' Not Stirred received critical acclaim and major radio air play from coast to coast. Brian received the SOCAN "Jazz & Instrumental Composer of the Year" Award five times from 1997 to 2001 and the title track from "Shakin' Not Stirred" was featured on an episode of HBO's "Sex and the City".

"The move to Los Angeles has been very inspirational meeting the fantastic musicians who performed on Along The Way and make up my touring group, bassist Tim Landers (well known for his work with guitarists, Al Di Meola & Lee Ritenour), Neil Wilkinson (a top British session drummer who has worked with Paul McCartney, Van Morrison & Gil Evans to name a few), percussionist Jason Hann (who tours with Isaac Hayes & Rickie Lee Jones) and longtime band member pianist Les Portelli. Combined they take the music to new heights."

The musical chemistry is evident on Along The Way and Brian and the band have electrified audiences at festival and concert dates across the country. With his sizzling fret work and infectious compositions the media are accurate in saying: "Both a great artist and an accessible one. His passion is so obvious, intense and contagious, that his audience shares it."

Brian Hughes's website: http://brianhughes.com/

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. Doc endorse Heritage Guitars and is a featured artist on their website. He also endorses the new Pignose Valve Tube Amps -- great for jazz (and anything else!)