GuitarBandDVD

(click image to enlarge)

What if your accomplishments could have included one of the following experiences?:

• Playing guitar with Benny Goodman
• Playing at The White House
• Playing for the Queen of England
• Playing a show on the same billing as The Beatles (and hanging out with them)
• Playing with Herb Ellis, Joe Pass, George Van Eps (to barely scratch the surface).
• Play with Herb Alpert or Sergio Mendes on tons of top records
• Perform in a filmed concert at the legendary Olympia Theater in Paris, France with Diana Krall
• Have a high-end signature guitar designed to your specifications

Any one of those would be worthy of extreme pride. Jazz guitarist John Pisano has done all of those and much, much more in his six decades as a professional guitarist. Not content to rest on his laurels, John keeps performing at his weekly gig hosting Spazio’s Guitar Night, teaching at Cal State Northridge (Los Angeles, CA), while pushing himself to play using new guitar techniques and continually learning and evolving as a player.

John told me he considers himself to be a “good player who has played with some great players.” An understatement the size of Los Angeles. The remark underscores his humility. Clearly this guy keeps on giving of himself and has always been in the game for all the right reasons. I just does not get any more hip than that.

You know I only interview amazing players and people that make the very best gear and John Pisano is a perfect example of what it means to be at the top of your game. Listening to his experiences gives you a slice of American history and an introspective view of an important part of American musical culture. Not surprising was the fact this guy is also a gentleman and one heck of nice guy too. You might want to try out a hand-carved Eastman John Pisano signature guitar. Sweeeeet!

Please be sure to visit www.JohnPisano.com and look at his extensive discography.

by David Caris

This is part 1 of the interview series. Please make sure you view this in the best resolution.

Here is John playing some melodic improv on his signature Eastman guitar. He did not know the camera was on, but it was so inspired I had to post it.

This is part 2 of the interview series. Please make sure you view this in the best resolution.

This is part 3 of the interview series. Please make sure you view this in the best resolution.