When a person plays like this-barely looking at the fingerboard, just executing ideas simultaneously (or nearly so) with thinking of them, it becomes obvious that the instrument is no longer an obstacle or an impediment.. it’s just an extension of the man. It’s like he thinks of a sound, whether it be a chord, or a run, etc., and his fingers just respond instantaneously-there’s no hesitation or thought about how to do it, it just happens. That fluency, that absolute mastery, that effortless and joyful translation of feelings to music, is I think what we all strive for as jazz musicians, regardless of instrument, and which maybe a luck few truly achieve. Pass had it in spades. As for the rest of us: Let's remain positive that we can also get there.... so let’s keep practicing!

@guitargod6997

5 жыл бұрын

Joe Pass was a great master musician / guitarist. The key to playing solo guitar is to start with the melody, because that determines where you are playing on the fret board. Of course, the melody can be played in many positions. But if you can play the melody notes, the harmony is there. You develop your knowledge of the neck and fluid execution, so that what you hear in your mind is like a player piano roll. You actually listen intensely to the music and it happens. Notice that Joe played the melody and then "fills". The key is to anticipate the first note of each measure, and then let your subconscious "connect the dots". It is not thinking so much as listening. Voice leading and transitions on the neck are critical. In this regard the bass phrasing also helps. It is all about hearing intervals and harmonizing the melody. Much time is wasted trying to learn "visually" - it is all about the audio intervals. This is also how you can transpose to any key.

@kellmerWF52

3 жыл бұрын

epf1961, Well said. Joe was that rare animal, called a natural musician. he just picked it up and became one with it as you said, it is as simple as that

@vladavasiljev

3 жыл бұрын

like SRV in the blues...amazing masters of the guitar.

@travelingman9763

3 жыл бұрын

@@guitargod6997 He didn't have perfect pitch nor Martin Taylor..Andreas Oberg!

@jean-lucbersou758

3 жыл бұрын

@@kellmerWF52 nothing " natural " with this systemic approach . Lot of work and practice with formulas and combinations . I feel some kind of knitted exercices with too much information at once even if there is a line . Finally I doubt the interest of solo jazz guitar here while I find some chefs- d'oeuvre with DJANGO solo impro , or BENSON or WES all of them three really NATURAL GENIUS MUSICIANS . Now JOE PASS contains the whole JAZZ U.S. Broadway standards catalogue and his technique in any part of his playing is insightful and instructive .

I saw mr. Pass playing brilliantly just like this in a hotel bar in Montreal I think it was..there were maybe 10 people in the place and about 6 of them were at the bar drinking oblivious to what was going on onstage..on his break he was the nicest guy,didn't seem to care that no one was paying attention..he talked to us during the break ,let me play his guitar , but...I couldn't play anything... I was way too nervous..Joe pass was staring at me...lol ... a great moment ..thanks mr. Pass.

@pappawheely

5 жыл бұрын

yea @Ben Jammin’

@xsamitt

5 жыл бұрын

you were the person Joe played for that night! One real music lover is all that's needed

@doncapone8156

4 жыл бұрын

These people are blest with a special extra ordinary ingredient in their emotional makeup

@mariovision705

4 жыл бұрын

Saw him at the "Rising Sun" next to the late Spectrum… A warm, accessible and passionate man.

@daeremcyemcy6349

4 жыл бұрын

right no one cares

I saw him play an amazing solo show at Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit, July 78. This video captures his stellar playing and wit. During breaks he circulated around the audience sitting at tables and talked to us joking and chatting like he was making new friends and truly appreciated people coming to see him.

imo the best jazz guitar player ever specializing in improv chord melodies / chord solos. just insane

I've been around a long time. I've seen a giant load of great musicians in my life, and in particular guitar players. I've even seen Joe Pass, close up at The Village Gate, in Greenwich Village and other places too. But, damn !!! I have never seen anything quite like this performance on the guitar, in my life. This really IS quite a treat. Joe was remarkable, and I assume we all knew that. But, this is magnificent. Two hours in a music store?? Holy crap. Amazing. This is what we imagine in our heads when we think of guitar perfection. Few ever get there.

Joe would play in Dayton, Ohio from time to time at a place called Gilly's. One night I went back to the green room in between sets and he gave me lesson right there on that guitar. It changed my life forever. It became a mission requirement to play solo jazz guitar. Thank you for sharing.

THE MANY HOURS HE LABORED ON THE GUITAR TO ACHIEVE THIS LEVEL OF PLAYING SHOWS ! AN EXTRAORDINARY HUMAN BEING ! 🤗

@dontgoout1434

Жыл бұрын

It's easy Joe pass stuff

1. Stella By Starlight - 0:01 2. Wave - 6:09 3. Blues in G - 11:29 4. Polka Dots and Moonbeams - 20:55 5. Summertime - 25:40 6. All the Things You Are - 33:52 7. Donna Lee - 38:36 (39:24 Salt Peanuts briefly) 8. Bluesette - 45:07 9. Estate - 52:40 10. Seven, Come Eleven - 58:02 11. Sophisticated Lady - 1:04:23 12. Prelude To A Kiss - 1:06:33 13. Don't Get Around Much Anymore - 1:07:12 14. Caravan - 1:07:29 15. Satin Doll - 1:08:43 16. Lush Life - 1:11:00 17. Take the A-Train - 1:15:13 18. Sophisticated Lady - 1:18:40 19. How High the Moon - 1:23:31 20. That Old Feeling - 1:27:00 21. Misty - 1:30:04 22. As Time Goes By - 1:32:02 23. Stompin' at the Savoy - 1:33:37 24. As Time Goes By - 1:33:49 25. Offbeat - 1:34:55 26. It's Only a Paper Moon - 1:37:50 27. Round Midnight - 1:40:09 28. Honeysuckle Rose - 1:42:51 29. Scrapple From the Apple - 1:44:24 30. I'm Glad There Is You - 1:48:09 31. Paco de Lucia - 1:55:33 32. Tarde - 1:59:55

@jazzerson7087

8 жыл бұрын

Feel free anybody to double check these and make corrections. Does anybody know what 1:34:55 is? I suspect there's also a few missing ones which he briefly goes into especially within 1:04:00 and 1:33:00 period!. If you spot any I missed please say so and I'll update! There's a bluesy one after Honeysuckle Rose I think it is but wasn't sure. Hope this roughly helps anyway!

@wastrel09

8 жыл бұрын

the tune at 1:34:55 is called "Offbeat." It's an original JP piece from Virtuoso 3.

@jazzerson7087

8 жыл бұрын

Nice one mate.

@EmperorCrimson

8 жыл бұрын

thanks for the great work, i never posted the list i wrote because i had a couple of songs missing.cant really add anything anymore, but i just realised there is a salt peanuts lick in donna lee at around 39:20 :)

@jazzerson7087

8 жыл бұрын

Well spotted haha!

As great as he is, he's humble and funny and real. THAT'S what really grabs me about Pass. You can picture yourself being buddies with him and having a beer and a burger together and talking about jazz and just about anything else... He seems like the kind of guy who would always make time for you, and be happy to do so. Just a regular, nice guy who also happens to probably be the greatest jazz guitarist in history. Amazing combination!

@jazzerson7087

7 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I love the New York Mag quote "Joe Pass looks like somebody's uncle and plays guitar like nobody's business. He's called 'the world's greatest' and often compared to Paganini for his virtuosity. There is a certain purity to his sound that makes him stand out easily from other first-rate jazz guitarists." Certainly didn't have the ego associated with many of the big name guitarists!

@broetker

6 жыл бұрын

The first time I saw Joe live was in Silver Springs Maryland at the Showcase (now defunct). He wandered around the audience during the warm up act with a his hands in his sports jacket front pockets and a cigar in his mouth looking every bit like a loving old grandfather.

@travelingman9763

4 жыл бұрын

@@broetker Thanks for sharing and like you a retired Bandsmen. What types of strings and gauges did he use?

Similar story to George Monroe. At Berklee around 73' went to symphony hall to Oscar Peterson, w/ Joe Pass.There was a snow storm and Oscar missed his flight. The place was packed probably thousands of people mostly musicians. Joe Pass played solo and had the place screaming for more. At that time I didn't know a guitarist could do that. Changed my life!

@Jviss

10 жыл бұрын

That is so friggen cool!

@greatvanzini

8 жыл бұрын

+Frank Kohl What a great story! Thanks. You are a lucky person.

One of the greatest ever!!!

@matthewe.johnson1760

Жыл бұрын

This makes sense

Damn, that brings it back. I 1st encountered JP in '76, my first semester at Berklee. I was a rocker (more precisely, a Progger), but was already getting interested in this jazz thing thru the fusion guys. Joe had a gig at the Jazz Workshop on Boylston, and was asked to do a workshop/Q&A at the school. This was scheduled for 2:00 in the old Recital Hall at 1140 Boylston. At noon, the line stretched to Jack's Drum Shop, and they moved it to the newly-opened Performance Center pretty quick. My jaw was on the floor the rest of the day, and we got to the JW early, got good seats, and were further amazed. At one point, JP got off on a tangent on one of those old Real Book standards, had taken it way the hell out somewhere, when he stopped for a sec, whispered "OK how do I get back?" then "Ahhh!" and executed some series of 2-5s or whatever and seamlessly returned to the head. Unforgettable. Thanks for this....

21 people took the trouble to dis-like . Go figure ? Even if Jazz ain't your bag , if you've got an inch of music in your soul you would realize Joe was a real artist .

One of my favorites. As a young guitarist I remember the first time I ever heard him play. I think it was life changing :-)

I heard Joe Pass playing and instantly was hooked. For he's a jolly good jazz man which nobody can deny.

I'm glad someone took the time to record this event, and to post it, what an awesome guy and he plays effortlessly. Just Brilliant. ..thanks

PURE MUSICAL GENIUS. I didn't know guitars could sing!

Holy smokes, how did he remember 31 songs! Not just changes but he's improving all around them, absolutely insane. Best ever, no question

@broetker

6 жыл бұрын

I'm sure those were just a few in his large repertoire. Thanks for listening.

@cjgreen4331

3 жыл бұрын

I'm impressed by his ability to play a perfect chord melody on all of his songs, he did what I couldn't do once, 31 times

@jovesheerwater

2 жыл бұрын

@@broetker Man this is like dying and going to Haven. Bless you.

@andybird9465

11 ай бұрын

Mind blowing. No idea how he did it. Like you say, untouchable. The best.

@austinsandefer649

11 ай бұрын

True Genius!

A brilliant artist!! Soothing but alert and intellectually stimulative, intimate but can sound like an orchestra on fire, creative surprise at every stroke and before anything else the humor!!!

The solo Jazz guitar maestro and virtuoso said "you cannot think and play" but most of us we are taught in our music schools to always think of "chord scales and modes" to navigate the changes.

This is absolute lesson in what the guitar can do. The instrument has had its share of masters over the years and Joe is unquestionably one of them.. How sad that the generations of guitar players raised on R & R , and shredding in particular, do not get the exposure to Joe and this type of music that he and it deserve.

@Nayradharma

8 жыл бұрын

I'm upset nowadays people play rock, metal and those mainstream things. Whilst jazz is incredibly rare. As a 15 year old female jazz (jazz standard) guitarist/vocalist, i have no friends at all pfft nobody LITERALLY likes jazz. Nobody. Not in my peers/eyes at least.

@apoculamus

8 жыл бұрын

+N so if you're looking for inspiration listen to Emily Remler. There have been precious few female jazz guitarists. But don't follow her into the world of drugs! I guess that's what ended up taking her life. Surely, though, give her playing a listen.

@apoculamus

8 жыл бұрын

+N so if you're looking for inspiration listen to Emily Remler. There have been precious few female jazz guitarists. But don't follow her into the world of drugs! I guess that's what ended up taking her life. Surely, though, give her playing a listen.

@Nayradharma

8 жыл бұрын

+apoculamus ah i have indeed learned a lot from her! Even though she doesn't play fingerstyle her playing is still incredible. I listen to Joe Pass, Ted Greene, George Van Eps, Ella Fitzgerald and many more honestly.

@rillloudmother

7 жыл бұрын

I'm 42 and nobody liked jazz when i was starting out either.

Saw him in 1983 in a small club in downtown Denver.There was only twenty or so people there.He made a huge impression on me.I was only 14.

@bowserh2012345

Жыл бұрын

You were allowed to a club downtown in Denver at 14?

@tomsmith1847

Жыл бұрын

@@bowserh2012345 They didn't serve alcohol

@bowserh2012345

Жыл бұрын

@@tomsmith1847 Ah fair enough

We are indebted to Joe's dad for being such a taskmaster with his son and have him play tunes day and night. What a gift that humble factory worker gave us all.

No-one does it better ... always a joy to see and hear Joe Pass playing. Thanks for sharing.

I was blessed to see him five or six times in San Diego, got to talk with him two or three times. Great guy and my north star as far as the instrument, but if I lived another six hundred years I doubt I could get there. Thanks for this.

This is more than 2 hours long of just a man and his instrument,no drums, no effects,nothing but this man’s soul coming out of that d’angelico hollow body guitar..... If Joe pass isn’t a jazz genius than i don’t know what or who is... Ripeace Joe.

@broetker

4 жыл бұрын

Well said.

Great contribution Robert. 1986 got orders to be assigned to Marine Corps Base, Quantico. Where Joe Pass served as a Marine in the 1940s, presumably. On Main St., Quantico was "Bill's Shoes". Owned by Billy Martin. A piano player who had served with Joe. They even played gigs at the White House in those days. Bill was a friendly guy. Who lamented that Joe never called him when he visited Washington D.C. Finally in 1988 my active duty was up. And I flew to Munich, Germany. Where I still reside. In late 1988 or 1989 Joe and Ella gave a concert in Munich. Got to meet and talk with them both after the concert backstage. Lovely experience I cherish and keep as a personal inspiration. Thanks for posting Robert.

Amazing Mr.Pass! Thank God for KZread

wow, Joe Pass plays in a small music store, and you are with him!!!

I would love to make a movie about Joe and his performance at this music store in 1985 when jazz was fusion and such. It would be a melancholy look at artists whose art is under appreciated but appreciated by few and the problems that life brings.

@colelalo

3 жыл бұрын

I a movie around this spontaneous performance is a great idea!

When I figure out a new standard as a chord-melody, I tend to go: 1st chord, 2nd chord, etc, then string them all together. Listening to Pass (ex: Sophisticated Lady) reminds me that it needs to be more seamless, that a tune is not just a sequence of changes but rather a continuous flow of harmonies and you need to really use your ears to make it smooth and interesting... So yes, first figure out the changes, but then go back and re-orchestrate (if that makes sense) to really make it MUSIC. Very inspiring.

@kellmerWF52

3 жыл бұрын

howard morgan has a great course you can buy on TrueFire that explains that very well. One of the best courses i have ever bought. I too struggle to get it to flow sometimes, howard shows you how to connect things very well. I like using my own arrangements too, but I do steal a lot lol. The course is called Fretboard breakthrough. If you try out a free month, you will be able to buy it cheaper, I'm from 1960

I was fortunate to be at this show as I was assigned TEMP DUTY at Dam Neck and would stop in the store checking out guitars and saw the poster fore this show. At can be seen, Joe Pass is absolutely amazing.

I finageled a lesson with him in the early '70's in the San Fernando Valley. Part of my story was I had (and still own) an ES 175 and I was inspired to play jazz after listening to his For Django LP (true). I knew some basic substitue chords, ii-V-I turn arounds and some chord runs but that was all at that time...he was very kind and for $20 (a lot then) he gave me an attentive 20 minute lesson. A true gentleman and genius on guitar.

@stevedifidio

2 жыл бұрын

May I ask what did he teach you?

True self expression. A man and his instrument. Nothing more nothing less. RIP Joe!

True master!!...great and rare "footage"!!...you can ear him keeping time with is "foot"!!...love is playing!!...melody, harmony, rythm, fills etc...amazing!!...and great endings!!...

I think joe was very comfortable and his playing was more free because of that.

The most amazing man to ever play guitar. Joe, you might not have enjoyed being video recorded, but there is no telling how much better my life is because you allowed it and gave this gift! Thank you !

I think his performance here outshines most of the pro shot stuff. His natural environment perhaps!

@jazzerson7087

8 жыл бұрын

If you watch most of his live performances they're better than the album recordings. Compare the 1992 Summertime live one to his Virtuoso one, it's most better!

i play for almost 30 years, not even close to get 1% of professor passalaqua, what a true genius, his flow is suberb, almost unhuman, we miss you joe.

To make this more listenable as a performance, I downloaded this and edited out all the talking and jokes, just captured the tunes.. I ended up with 1 hour 36 minutes of pure JP. It has subsequently become my favorite Joe Pass "album".. Listen to it constantly. Thanks again to the poster of this gem...

@broetker

4 жыл бұрын

Great idea. You could post that for other folks to download. Thanks.

@RyanMcQuen

Жыл бұрын

Or as a separate video.

@stkittsblogger

3 ай бұрын

Great idea!

This is the best Joe Pass show I have ever heard, thanks so much for recording it and the re- upload

@kellmerWF52

3 жыл бұрын

here is a very insightful interview about Joe digital.nepr.net/music/2016/01/13/joe-pass/#:~:text=Pass%20next%20worked%20in%20show,he%20entered%20Synanon%20in%201960.

I saw Joe play at least 3 times but the first was when I just started university and it turned me not only onto Jazz but a desire to learn guitars because this was what it could do..,. Amazing! The first set was Joe, solo guitar and the second set was him and Oscar Peterson. So two unforgettable experiences.

I finally got to watch this vid in it's entirety and, needless to say after reading all the comments of praise, this is an absolute treasure. Thank you,Robert, for posting this and I truly envy you for having been able to spend time with, imo, the greatest guitarist the world has ever known. Long live the brilliance of Joe.

@wastrel09

6 жыл бұрын

"greatest guitarist the world has ever known" truth

@jovesheerwater

2 жыл бұрын

You may be right. But Nigel Price!!

Just red you blog story. Amazing. You are blessed to have had this time with him.

@greatvanzini

8 жыл бұрын

+greatvanzinni Or Read as some might say! LOL!

OMG - This is one of the best concerts I've seen by him. I've seen him in three states over the years. I've got tears in my eyes right now. What a great guitar player. One of the best. Thanks Robert and thanks Joe, you'll be missed. Notice he never looked at the fretboard he knew exactly where he was at all times. Again Thank You so much.

PS the guitar was an Ibanez JP20, Joe designed it and had a deal to use them. I owned one years ago, lovely instrument although its single pickup placement away from the neck meant it lacked a warm jazz sound (in my opinion) Wonderful upload, many thanks.

really liked his playing........you will always be in our hearts Joe Pass R.I.P

The best jazz guitarist of All time! Not that music is a contest. Thanks for the inspiration :-)

So Beautiful.Thank you,what a treat.Saw him a few times in the Seventies,Just the best.

Boy oh boy....I recently discovered this. Can't say much more than what I keep reading, an absolute treasure. The one thing I don't like about this video, is that every single time I've watched it, I'm stuck here for 2 hours and get nothing accomplished ;) Lookit him taking that coat off, what a cool cat. It's like he's Uncle Joe to us all. Thank you so much for this!

Wow this performance of Joe is just amazing. I agree with the posters who feel this is better than his solo recordings! He is so relaxed here. Thanks so much for posting this. It really shows the depth of his playing as well as what a kind soul he was. What a gift you have given us to see this glimpse into the greatest solo jazz guitarist the world has ever seen. The one and only Joe Pass.

i love this man so much. you can feel the emotion in his playing every time. warmth, sadness, joy, and spirit. thanks for all the memories joe. rip...

Wow!!!!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Thanks Bob. SO much! I got to hang with Joe too. He was really supportive of other musicians.

This must have been the coolest experience for everybody there. I would give anything to see Joe Pass in such an intimate setting, sadly he passed away a year before I was born! Also, you gotta love all the people in the audience calling tunes like take five, lmao.

How does he do that. Wow!! He never runs out of ideas. Always with his eyes closed. Breathtaking!! Joe is a real beauty!

Joe Pass, gênio da guitarra! Harmonia complexa, intercalada com acordes dissonantes e uma técnica magistral. Parabéns pelo vídeo.

Incredible. Thanks so much for this world treasure.

He leave us a lot of good music,lets apreciate it!

Robert: The highest compliments to you for capturing and sharing this: This video is a treasure-- I downloaded it and must have played it a zillion times...and I have yet to be done with it. As a developing jazz guitarist, to me this would be a no-question "desert island video".. (ie, if I had just one to take with me...) I firmly believe that everything you wanted to ever know about jazz guitar is on this video: No need to look any further. There's priceless lessons inherent in both his playing and his commentary. Absolute GOLD. Its only flaw is that it ends. Thanks again.

@dasaanudasi

Жыл бұрын

After 70 yrs of playing; what can I say? Mystical. Hands down: the very best! Excellence. Perfection. Is this even possible?

@dontgoout1434

Жыл бұрын

Not really Joe repeats same stuff

Can’t thank you enough for this upload. What an extraordinary gem

Playing in a relaxed way with no pressure!!...talk about a "master" class!!...

@calvinrwilliams7259

3 жыл бұрын

K ghahgj. L hgk Kgfgg😍😍?hgg. Did j dk S😍🤩😍🙄💪😇🎶🙄😘😘😇hkl L. Ff

dear joe..miss you every day

its so awesome how relaxed he is while playing and improvising all of those songs

Thank you for this.

Not that music is a contest, but He Is the best of all time In my opinion. Thanks for posting this inspiration!

@broetker

4 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

Spontaneous Guitarrist, spontaneous man.

I’m my 2nd rock band in high school my fellow guitarist’s dad Irwin Rosman was a genius. A scientist at Rockadyn, a game developer who independently invented board games for companies like Milton Bradley but he also was an arranger for Joe Pass. He arranged allot of his stuff and as we were rehearsing Joe would just pop in! And he always asked if he could play one of our guitars to try out the arrangement. Needless to say, our rehearsal was over after Joe played, nobody wanted to ruin the vibe!

How could anyone give this a thumbs down?!!! If you do that then you should be able to get up and play like that... and you can't.

Thanks for the posting of this! Joe Pass, the Art Tatum of the jazz guitar! I was lucky enough to see JOE play live at SCULLERS JAZZ CLUB many years ago, not to long before his death. A memory to last a lifetime! He was nice enough to also sign an album for me to. HE'S a major influence on my own playing. He was a "Heavy Weight" talent we'll never see the likes of again. TRUELLY a master indeed! Thanks Joe!

@broetker

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the video. Joe was unique and a giant among guitar players.

what a brilliant guitar master----none like Joe....such beautiful licks. my my my

Amazing connect straight to the heaven👍the best.

He was in the zone.

Thank you Robert, precious.

This just what I needed to get back on track to playing Jazz...what a talent!

Thank you so much for this!

Thank you for uploading this incredible video.

yess joe pass forever!

Notice how he jumps all over the neck from position to position using passing chords etc...what a player!!...

@henrikduende

4 жыл бұрын

Mains Blanches Notice how he doesn’t look at the neck either 👌

Thank you very much for uploading this! One of a kind..

Esto es maravilloso! Gracias, Robert, por compartir este tesoro!! Que grabación tan exquisita. J. Pass es muy generoso con su musica y su corazon... Bendito Jazz!!

Thank you very much for uploading this wonderful video! A master at work

Wow Bob, thanks a zillion, this is great!

This is an amazing video. Living or dead, few come close.

@Guitfiddlejase

9 жыл бұрын

Randy Cherry got that right..

excellent upload! this kind of video is the best thing about youtube.

Thank you for posting. Hearing about Virtuoso 3 from Joe's point of view is priceless. Awesome!

Thank you for sharing this treasure!.

dude thanks for this so much!

What a treasure! Thanks for posting

Thanks so much for posting ! Greetings from Brazil !

thank you so much for this, this is one of the best recordings of past I've ever heard live.

My god....lol..you gotto be kidding me....the best of all time...

Thank you from Italy, JP forever...

Wow Robert! THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS!!! What a great find!

thank you so much for this, this is one of the best recordings of Pass I've ever heard live.

Pure Joy. All of this.

thanks you for uploading it!

Thx for uploading, Super cool!

This is superb thank you. Not just great techniques etc - but just plain fab music. Quite a tie choice for '85 too...

Wow! What a treasure. Thanks for sharing this genuine miracle!