John Stein is one of jazz guitars hidden treasures. With 5 CDs to his credit, he has been busy releasing recordings for a number of years. John is still somewhat under the radar screen as far as many jazz listeners are concerned, however he is quickly building a serious and growing reputation as a premiere jazz guitarist. So, I am pleased to feature him this week and I urge everyone to stop by his website and check him out...

Online Bio

Internationally renowned jazz guitarist John Stein was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri USA where he took up his instrument at an early age. His talent for and love of music ultimately brought him to a position on the faculty at Berklee College of Music. There he continues to inspire new musicians and to perfect his own style.

John has performed as a leader or a sideman with some of America's finest jazz acts, including David "Fathead" Newman, Larry Goldings, Lou Donaldson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Idris Muhammid. John's compositions and performances cover the spectrum of jazz, from blues to bebop to bossas to swing. John has toured in the United States as well as in Brazil, Germany, France and Switzerland.

John's newest recording, Interplay, has just been released on the Azica Records label (AJD72226). It features John with Yoron Israel on drums, and John Lockwood on bass. The trio's interaction and superb musicianship generates many spontaneous and exceptional moments. Interplay documents John's continuing evolution as a composer, leader and extraordinary guitarist.

John's debut CD, Hustle Up! [KFW 172], released in 1995 on Tightly Knit Records a subsidiary of Knitting Factory Works, displays his many talents: as a leader, composer, arranger, producer, soloist, and ensemble performer. John is also featured on the wonderful recording, Ron Gill Sings the Songs of Billy Strayhorn, [WGBH 1001] released in December 1997, by WGBH Radio in Boston. The Ron Gill band, with John on guitar, was videotaped by WGBH television for presentation on its program, Basic Black in 1998, and is regularly re-aired. John's recording, Green Street [A-Records, AL 73158] featuring reed-playing legend, David "Fathead" Newman, was released in 1999 to critical acclaim. Green Street received much radio exposure in the United States, soaring very high in the Jazz Charts, and introduced John to a nation-wide audience. John's third release, in 2000, Portraits and Landscapes [Jardis Records, JRCD 20029] features Larry Goldings on piano and organ. Conversation Pieces [Jardis Records, JRCD 20140] released in January 2002, is John's second collaboration with David "Fathead" Newman.

"My music is the result of a lifetime's involvement with my instrument, the guitar, and many hours studying theory, composition, arranging, and musical history," says John. His warm and deeply expressive creative jazz performances move and excite audiences wherever he appears.

John Stein's website: http://johnstein.com

Doc Dosco Website Update: There are some new sound clips on Doc's homepage, with more to follow soon. Do give them a listen...

Doc Dosco is a jazz guitarist, composer and audio consultant living in Los Angeles, CA. His website is located at 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 endorses 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!)