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I found a new baby - Charlie Christian

 I spent half of this month working on an epic Pat Martino solo.  Finally pulled the plug on it, due to lack of time and a right hand that just couldn't keep up.  I will hopefully eventually get back to it.  So, in a panic, I moved on to Charlie Christian.  Short solo, and still a challenge for the right hand.  My thinking now is to get a bunch of these short Christian solos under my belt.   I mean he is the father of jazz guitar, and Wes learned everything he knows from him, so probably a good exercise.  Charlie plays a lot on chord shapes.  The phrasing is a little outdated, but he nails the harmonic outlines.   He attacks every note, which is probably a product of primitive amplification, and trying to be heard over a big band.  I think Legato techniques came later when gear got better.  
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Don't Worry About Me - Ray Brown

This month was a very short solo. I worked on it a lot in the first part of the month but it slipped away until I realized it was time to post. I tried a new way to record bass into logic then match video. It is slightly off. Lots of melodic and 2-5 lines. Really trying to not drag my 8th notes on this. It is a work in progress.  
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Faith in You: Pat Metheny Solo: March

This all started by you sending me a bunch of charts.   Faith in you was one of them.  I had decided to keep mining the Frisell vein, and spent a lot of time listening to this tune.   Getting it in my ears, so to speak.  It was Pat's solo resonated more in the end.  Amazing!!  Frigging triads throughout.  So melodic.  Such simple and beautiful melodies.  Pat also ornaments nearly every note.  Muting, slipping, sliding, etc.  A couple of rough patches, but very playable.  Fuddled my way to "good enough"....  also note the Ibanez PM-200 guitar!
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De-Dah solo Larry Grenadier

 Yet another LG solo. I like this one as it is a 32 bar form and kind of like rhythm changes but not... Lots of jazzy enclosures. I'm trying to use this approach in exercises which is fun.  This is in a good range as well.
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February: Bill Frisell solo Nicolette

 Always loved this solo (and tune)!  This album, Angel Song, is magical!  Worked hard getting the feel right, but I might be rushing in a few places.  Bill is a squirrely player when it comes to half tones and open strings.  (Note: finally got fiber hooked up here at home,  what a difference uploading!)
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January 2022 Ray Brown Solitude

 January 2022... Ray Brown still continues to wow me. This solo I've had been wanting to do for awhile. Mostly because it is a lot of 16th notes and no chordal instrument to accompany.  The interesting thing about this tune from Sonny Rollins Way out West recording is that it starts in the key of Gb but after the first time through the head they move it down to F for Sonny's solo and Ray's solo.  I have a lot to work on in this solo but found it directed me to apply the bebop scale when practicing.
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It might as well be spring - Bill Frisell Solo

 Well here we go again... Frisell is a musician that I was meaning to get to in our last challenge.  Such beauty and nuance in the seeming simplicity of his playing.  Extremely difficult to recreate.  So, after 2 months of a steady diet of Frisell, dusting off my volume pedal, and working with letting strings ring,  this is my offering.  I like his early work with Paul Motion.  Hearing him play standards is helpful in nailing down the techniques he uses.  I also notice that his solos are often very closely related to the melody.  Shows to go ya....  melody is king.
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