Home » Jazz Musicians » Earl Klugh

Earl Klugh

In a recording career of over three decades, master guitarist EARL KLUGH has been lauded first as a prodigy and groundbreaker, then a defining figure, and ultimately, as one of the true statesmen of contemporary jazz. With 2008’s THE SPICE OF LIFE, Klugh earns his 12th career Grammy® Nomination - his second nomination and release on the independent Koch label. As follow up to his 2005 masterpiece, Naked Guitar, Klugh succeeds in creating a statement every bit as compelling.

After breaking a six-year recording hiatus with the universally-hailed solo album of 2005, Klugh steps back from Naked Guitar’s intimate focus on the unaccompanied guitar to capture the biggest picture possible, and an equally personal one: THE SPICE OF LIFE is a far-reaching account of all his music, marking Klugh’s return to full-scale album production after a nine-year break, with a special guest appearance by flautist Hubert Laws, and with the arrangements of two legendary orchestrators, Don Sebesky and Eddie Horst. It effortlessly segues from jazz to Latin to pop modes through a compositional approach that recalls his Grammy® Award- winning work with Bob James (One on One), spiced with all the lyric flourishes that established Klugh’s distinctive signature all those years ago.

Not surprisingly, the adult-aimed radio stations that have followed Klugh’s music through 23 Top Ten Billboard Jazz Chart albums (five of them No. 1), and 12 Grammy® nominations, have rushed to embrace THE SPICE OF LIFE, with the first focus track Driftin’ immediately gathering most- added honors in the format upon its release ��" a loyalty that bespeaks the sustained personal stature, high standards, and restless creative passion of this guitarist’s career. Driftin’ spent 12 consecutive weeks as #1 on the Radio and Records Smooth Jazz Indicator chart and ranked #1 overall in 2008 on this chart. Driftin’ is also an iTunes Bestselling Jazz Song of 2008, and is one of Billboard’s Hot Smooth Jazz Songs of 2008. Furthermore, THE SPICE OF LIFE is a Billboard and iTunes Bestselling Jazz Album for 2008, and it continues to receive critical acclaim across the country.

Imprinted in the album’s many further highlights ��" whether newly composed or classics re-imagined, performed solo or with his band, acoustic or electronic ��" listeners can hear the inspirations and enthusiasms of a lifetime. “The orchestrated trio pieces with Don Sebesky were the ones that got me started in the studio,” Klugh notes. “We took the Thelonious Monk song Bye Ya, and changed it to a sort of mutated bossa nova. Ocean Blue is a tribute to Wes Montgomery, and the albums Don Sebesky recorded with him. I love the way Wes wrote original tunes, because they had such immediate melodies, with unexpected chord changes.”

Read more

Tags

23
Live Review

Earl Klugh at the Blue Note Jazz Club

Read "Earl Klugh at the Blue Note Jazz Club" reviewed by Mike Perciaccante


Earl Klugh Blue Note Jazz Club New York, NY August 14, 2014 On a pleasant, Thursday evening in mid-August, Grammy Award-winning guitarist Earl Klugh treated the packed and very enthusiastic audience at New York City's Blue Note Jazz Club to a spectacular night of silky smooth jazz. The slightly muggy venue was packed, but not overcrowded. The anticipation was high as Klugh and his quartet started his show (the first of two separately scheduled sets) ...

309
Album Review

Earl Klugh: Peculiar Situation

Read "Peculiar Situation" reviewed by Dave Hughes


Earl Klugh's Windham Hill Jazz debut, titledPeculiar Situation, isn't really peculiar at all, it's mostly a familiar situation. Klugh's music has always been presented in semi-glossy productions, from his earliest outings under Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen's touch to the majority of his releases which have been self-produced. His music is always easy on the ears, featuring his easily-recognizable acoustic guitar voice sailing through catchy melodies over tasteful arrangements. As usual, the compositions are all Klugh's. All of ...

Read more articles
1

Event

Earl Klugh's Annual Weekend Of Jazz Returns To Kiawah Island Golf Resort November 6-8, 2014 For Fifth Year

Earl Klugh's Annual Weekend Of Jazz Returns To Kiawah Island Golf Resort November 6-8, 2014 For Fifth Year

Source: Audrey Birnbaum

Since 2004, GRAMMY-winning guitarist Earl Klugh has been bringing world-renowned artists together with jazz enthusiasts for his one-of-a-kind musically-driven lifestyle getaways. His Weekend of Jazz is now held at two Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond properties each year; The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Klugh’s 5th annual Weekend of Jazz at Kiawah Island will be held November 6-8, 2014 and features three incredible days of entertainment from multiple GRAMMY-winning vocalist Natalie Cole; versatile multi-instrumentalist, ...

1

Event

11 Years Of Tradition: Earl Klugh's Weekend Of Jazz At The Broadmoor

11 Years Of Tradition: Earl Klugh's Weekend Of Jazz At The Broadmoor

Source: Audrey Birnbaum

Colorado Springs, Colo. (January 23, 2014) – For an 11th straight season, GRAMMY-winning guitarist Earl Klugh will annually host his Weekend of Jazz at The Broadmoor featuring exceptional musicians and performances, unique culinary and wine experiences and more – all among an incredible group of Weekend of Jazz guests that return each year. This April 3-5, join Earl Klugh and The Broadmoor for talent from an amazing group of Grammy-nominated musicians: contemporary jazz saxophonist Dave Koz; jazz singer and composer ...

Recording

Handpicked Is Grammy-winning Master Guitarist Earl Klugh's Most Personal And Profound Recording To Date

Handpicked Is Grammy-winning Master Guitarist Earl Klugh's Most Personal And Profound Recording To Date

Source: Audrey Birnbaum

July 30, 2013 Solo/duo Release Features Special Guests Vince Gill, Bill Frisell And Jake Shimabukuro In 1976, the Detroit-born guitarist Earl Klugh—a self-taught virtuoso whose broad influences included Bill Evans, Burt Bacharach, Laurindo Almeida and the great country guitarist {{Chet Atkins—burst on the scene with his self-titled debut album, which easily crossed beyond the categories of jazz, country, classical, pop, R&B, and world music. Four decades and over thirty recordings later, the GRAMMY Award-winner and 12-time nominee Earl Klugh has ...

1

Event

10 Years Of Tradition: Earl Klugh's Weekend Of Jazz At The Broadmoor!

10 Years Of Tradition: Earl Klugh's Weekend Of Jazz At The Broadmoor!

Source: Audrey Birnbaum

Grammy Award-Winning Artist Earl Klugh Returns This April! Colorado Springs, Colo. (January 14, 2013) – For a 10th straight season, GRAMMY-winning guitarist Earl Klugh hosts his Weekend of Jazz at The Broadmoor featuring exceptional musicians and performances, along with unique culinary and wine experiences. This April 4-6, join Earl Klugh and The Broadmoor to celebrate 10 years of unforgettable Weekend of Jazz memories with talent from Klugh’s first-ever Weekend of Jazz: Multi-platinum selling trumpeter Chris Botti returns, as well as ...

1

Festival

Earl Klugh's Renowned Weekend Of Jazz Returns To Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Earl Klugh's Renowned Weekend Of Jazz Returns To Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Source: Audrey Birnbaum

Earl Klugh’s 3rd Annual Weekend of Jazz at Kiawah Island Golf Resort November 15-17, 2012! Kiawah Island, SC: Since 2004, GRAMMY®-winning guitarist Earl Klugh has been bringing world-renowned artists together with jazz enthusiasts for his one-of-a-kind weekend getaways at two Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond properties; The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Klugh’s 3rd annual Weekend of Jazz at Kiawah Island will be held November 15-17, 2012 and features 3 incredible nights of entertainment ...

59

Festival

Earl Klugh's Weekend Of Jazz Returns To The Broadmoor For Its Ninth Season

Earl Klugh's Weekend Of Jazz Returns To The Broadmoor For Its Ninth Season

Source: Audrey Birnbaum

WEEKEND OF JAZZ RETURNS TO THE BROADMOOR FOR ITS NINTH SEASON Grammy Award-Winning Artist Earl Klugh Is Back This April! Colorado Springs, CO—It wouldn't be spring at The BROADMOOR without our exceptional group of guests, musicians and friends that gather each year to share their passion for jazz. GRAMMY® award-winning guitarist EARL KLUGH annually invites these jazz and music enthusiasts to experience a unique, luxurious getaway weekend for Klugh's Ninth Annual Weekend of Jazz, April 12-14, 2012. Join breakout New ...

90

Festival

Earl Klugh's Renowned Weekend Of Jazz Returns To Kiawah Island, SC

Earl Klugh's Renowned Weekend Of Jazz Returns To Kiawah Island, SC

Source: Audrey Birnbaum

Kiawah Island, SC—Since 2004, GRAMMY®-winning guitarist Earl Klugh has been bringing world-renowned artists together with jazz enthusiasts for his one-of-a-kind weekend getaways at 2 Five-Star, Five-Diamond properties; The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The 2nd annual Weekend of Jazz at Kiawah Island will be held November 10-12, 2011 and features 3 incredible nights of music from 10-Time GRAMMY®-Winner CHAKA KHAN in a Rare and Special Jazz Performance, Multi-Instrumentalist BRIAN CULBERTSON, Saxophonist, Vocalist and ...

232

Event

Earl Klugh's Weekend of Jazz Returns to The Broadmoor for an Eighth Season

Earl Klugh's Weekend of Jazz Returns to The Broadmoor for an Eighth Season

Source: Audrey Birnbaum

Colorado Springs, Colo.—GRAMMY® award-winning guitarist EARL KLUGH invites jazz and music enthusiasts to experience a unique, luxurious getaway weekend for the Eighth Annual Weekend of Jazz, April 7-9, 2011. Join 2-time GRAMMY® winning vocalist PEABO BRYSON, 6-time GRAMMY® winning saxophonist DAVID SANBORN, multi-instrumentalist BRIAN CULBERTSON, vocalist NNENNA FREELON, and Weekend of Jazz artist and producer EARL KLUGH. TWO NIGHT PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Standard Accommodations for Friday and Saturday nights Tickets to Friday and Saturday night performances Admission to late-night shows in ...

327

Event

Grammy Award-Winning Artist Earl Klugh Brings His Weekend of Jazz Event to Kiawah Island Golf Resort This Fall!

Grammy Award-Winning Artist Earl Klugh Brings His Weekend of Jazz Event to Kiawah Island Golf Resort This Fall!

Source: Michael Ricci

Kiawah Island, SC—After seven successful years and counting, GRAMMY-winning guitarist Earl Klugh brings his renowned 'Weekend of Jazz' to Kiawah Island Golf Resort. The first annual Weekend of Jazz at Kiawah Island Golf Resort will be held November 11-13, 2010, at the Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, and will feature three incredible nights of music from chart-topping jazz supergroup FOURPLAY, three-time GRAMMY-nominated and multi-platinum selling saxophonist BONEY JAMES, Golden Globe nominee and bassist KYLE ...

112

Award / Grant

Earl Klugh Receives Key to the City of Niagara Falls

Earl Klugh Receives Key to the City of Niagara Falls

Source: Michael Ricci

Grammy winning guitarist Earl Klugh received a Proclamation and Key to the City from Mayor Paul A. Dyster of Niagara Falls at the Seneca Niagara Casino during Earl Klugh's performance on October 15th. Earl's friend and Niagara Falls City Administrator Donna Owens presented him with the key and Mayoral Proclamation on stage. Each of Earl's band members also received a commemorative key to the city. The Proclamation and Key to the City were a sign of appreciation for Arts and ...

“Mr. Klugh is a guitarist with impeccable technique...” - Nate Chinen, The New York Times

“Klugh is a guitar wizard…” - Siddhartha Mitter, The Boston Globe

“...Klugh is a master of nylon acoustic guitar and fingerstyle technique.” - Downbeat

“The guitarist’s skills are virtuosic. ...His indelible ear for clearly executed melodies reveals a musician of exceptional caliber.” - Sam Prestianni, Jazziz

“Few players of his generation ��" or any generation ��" have built such universally successful careers. Perhaps only two come to mind ��" Chet Atkins and George Benson, both of whom Klugh befriended and recorded and performed with.” ��" Adam Levy, Acoustic Guitar

Read more

Dan Baraszu
guitar
Willie Hill
guitar, acoustic
Joseph Cordes
guitar, electric
Louie Moon
guitar
Bryan Lubeck
guitar, acoustic
J.Cordes
guitar, acoustic
Ali Hugo
keyboards

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

HandPicked

Capitol Records
2013

buy

Finger Paintings

Warner Bros. Records
2012

buy

Dream Come True /...

Warner Bros. Records
2011

buy

The Spice Of Life

Warner Bros. Records
2008

buy

Ultimate Earl Klugh

Warner Bros. Records
2007

buy

Music For Lovers

Warner Bros. Records
2006

buy

Videos

Similar

Spyro Gyra
band / ensemble / orchestra
Wayman Tisdale
bass, electric
Fourplay
band / ensemble / orchestra
Acoustic Alchemy
band / ensemble / orchestra
Gerald Albright
saxophone, alto
Basia
vocals

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.