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Vic Juris
FROM THE WILDS OF MANHATTAN to the shores of Japan and Germany, jazz guitarist Vic Juris has covered an impressive range of territory, musically as well as geographically. Inspired by rock and roll legend Chuck Berry, the Jersey City native first picked up a guitar at the age of ten. With no musicians in the family, he taught himself to play and was soon appearing with rock and R&B bands throughout the tri-state area. But the young rocker's taste soon changed.
In his late teens Vic discovered jazz and classical music. He was hooked. From there it was on to a career with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Phil Woods, Jimmy Smith, Sarah Vaughan, Chico Hamilton, Dave Liebman, Richie Cole, Mel Torme, Eddie Jefferson and Nancy Wilson.
From the beginning Vic's voracious appetite for new musical experiences led him to explore any and every jazz artist he could hope to learn from. He drew on other idioms as well: blues, swing, bebop. In a less sensitive and technically accomplished musician this expansive vocabulary might descend into cacophony. But Vic's highly developed sense of composition, his skill at fusing traditional jazz guitar with other forms of expression, has made him an eloquent and popular conversationalist. Eagerly sought out by his fellow musicians, he has provided accompaniment for numerous recordings.
In the mid eighties Vic teamed up with the phenomenally talented guitarist Bireli LaGrene during an engagement at Fat Tuesday's, a New York City jazz club. Vic and LaGrene, a young gypsy whose spirited style recalls that of legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt, began playing together regularly. Their popular performances were charged with the intensity of two masters challenging each other to new heights. One thing led to another. Vic and LaGrene toured Europe together. They recorded Bireli LaGrene Live, featuring Vic Juris for the German label Jazzpoint.
It was during this time that Vic started spending a lot of time on the continent. He toured with alto saxophonist Richie Cole; pianist and composer Michel Legrand and then again as part of a guitar trio with Bireli LaGrene and Englishman John Etheridge.
Vic found a warm welcome in Europe, where audiences are somewhat more sophisticated in their appreciation of jazz. European promoters were quick to book him, confident that he would draw a crowd. While spending much of his time in Europe, Vic nevertheless managed to keep busy back in the states. He often teamed up with guitarist Larry Coryell playing festivals and Jazz Clubs throughout the country. He also traveled with Gary Peacock in duet throughout the European circuit.
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Charles Pillow Ensemble: Chamber Jazz
by Jack Bowers
Chamber Jazz, alto saxophonist Charles Pillow's eighth recording as leader of his ensemble, is a generally sedate but remarkably engaging series of tone poems that combine contemporary jazz with elements of classical music to produce a hybrid that underlines what is most harmonious and charming in each genre. Chamber Jazz is what it says, and chamber jazz is what it is. For comparison's sake, think of the ensemble as the Modern Jazz Quartet times five. True, there is no John ...
Continue ReadingVic Juris: Tension and Release
by Victor L. Schermer
This article was first published at All About Jazz on July 28, 2009. Vic Juris is one of the premier jazz guitarists in the business today. Perhaps less known than some of his peers, he is nevertheless admired by all of them and has accumulated, since his emergence on the scene in the 1970s, an impressive portfolio of live performances and recordings. His international career has included associations with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Phil Woods, Jimmy Smith, ...
Continue ReadingVic Juris: Omega is the Alpha
by John Kelman
With so much attention paid to established guitar stars like Pat Metheny, John Scofield and Bill Frisell, and the next generation of six-string innovators like Kurt Rosenwinkel, Adam Rogers and Ben Monder, it's no surprise that there are some incredible jewels hiding in plain sight. One such gem is Vic Juris, a guitarist who, if technical aptitude, musical breadth and a vivid, unfettered imagination were the determining factors, would be a household--well, jazz household--name as well. His work, for two ...
Continue ReadingVic Juris: Topflight Guitarist
by R.J. DeLuke
Vic Juris is a well known in the New York City area, and jazz circles in general, for his thoughtful musicianship, his broad stylistic range and the dexterity with which he handles his instrument, whether swinging madly or in a reflective pose. The fact that he can play very well in any mode, not just with a constant barrage of chops, is reflected in his new recording A Second Look (Mel Bay Records) that came out in April. It shows ...
Continue ReadingVic Juris: A Second Look
by John Kelman
Some performers, like a boxer at the sound of the bell, storm out with something to prove. Musical assertiveness can be a good thing; certainly harmonic knowledge, physical dexterity, and stamina are all meaningful attributes of any good player. But in contrast to those who feel the need to place these elements on immediate display are others more relaxed about their abilities and, perhaps, more concerned with the deeper meaning of a composition, something that demands a certain surrender of ...
Continue ReadingVic Juris: Blue Horizon
by John Kelman
Sometimes you put on a disc and from the first note you know it's the real thing; honest, direct and completely unassuming, it resonates instantly. Such is the case with guitarist Vic Juris' new release, Blue Horizon. While there are certain precedents for what he does, he has a sound and approach all his own—and while he may not be the household name that some of his immediate contemporaries are, it is completely mystifying as to why this is so.
Continue ReadingVic Juris: Blue Horizon
by Jim Santella
With a program of his own compositions, guitarist Vic Juris maintains a smooth concept for this dreamy project. A cool and calm sense of serenity pervades, highlighted by the blend of vibraphone and guitar timbres. Spanish classical guitar has left a significant impression as the composer paints pictures of various pastoral themes.
“889," the session's only up-tempo romp, emphasizes the leader's masterful technique and his powerful sense of swing. With Joe Locke, he lights fires along the road ...
Continue ReadingJazz Musician of the Day: Vic Juris
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Vic Juris' birthday today!
FROM THE WILDS OF MANHATTAN to the shores of Japan and Germany, jazz guitarist Vic Juris has covered an impressive range of territory, musically as well as geographically. Inspired by rock and roll legend Chuck Berry, the Jersey City native first picked up a guitar at the age of ten. With no musicians in the family, he taught himself to play and was soon appearing with rock and R&B bands throughout ...
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Vic Juris @ Trumpets Jazz Club
Source:
Lubricity
I finally had the opportunity to get out and hear some live music this weekend, last night at Trumpets Jazz Club. Even though the club is only a few blocks from my apartment, it took the encouragement of my friend Sean to finally make it out there to see a show.
It was also the first time that I heard Vic Juris perform live, I only knew that he was one of the legends of the New Jersey jazz scene ...
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Guitarist Vic Juris Interviewed at AAJ
Source:
All About Jazz
Vic Juris is one of the premier jazz guitarists in the business today. Perhaps less known than some of his peers, he is nevertheless admired by all of them and has accumulated, since his emergence on the scene in the 1970s, an impressive portfolio of live performances and recordings. His international career has included associations with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Phil Woods, Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson, Sarah Vaughan, Michel Legrand, Chico Hamilton, Dave Liebman, Gary Peacock, Richie Cole, Mel ...
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Live in the Moment: Mark Egan, Vic Juris, Pete McCann and Ken Serio
Source:
Abstract Logix
Ken Serio Live.... In The Moment Drummer Ken Serio has just released his 5th cd on Tripping Tree Music For this cd Ken carefully chose the band and employed some of Jazz's biggest names. Legendary Bassist Mark Egan, Guitarist Vic Juris and Guitarist Pete McCann. Amazing guitar playing bass playing and drumming. This Live set was recorded on June 21st at the Montclair New Jersey Trumpets Jazz Club. The crowd was lively The sets are exactly how the music went ...
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Jeremy Steig/Vic Juris Duo (Tonight!)/Schizoid Music/ Poetry & More This Weekend At Cornelia Street Cafe
Source:
All About Jazz
July 15, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Cornelia Street Cafe 29 Cornelia Street Greenwich Village, NY 10014 Tel: 212-989-9319 Fax: 212-243-4207 Web: corneliastreetcafe.com between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village 1,9 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, F to West 4th St. “a culinary as well as a cultural landmark" Mayoral Proclamation, City of New York 1987 This Weekend At Cornelia Street Cafe Friday Jul 15 6:00PM PINK PONY ...
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Jeremy Steig & Vic Juris Duo at Cornelia Street Cafe (Friday, July 15th) Sets at 8:30 & 10:30PM
Source:
All About Jazz
July11, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Cornelia Street Cafe 29 Cornelia Street Greenwich Village, NY 10014 Tel: 212-989-9319 Fax: 212-243-4207 Web: corneliastreetcafe.com between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village 1,9 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, F to West 4th St. “a culinary as well as a cultural landmark" Mayoral Proclamation, City of New York 1987 Come hear the standards and free music by the flute and acoustic guitar ...
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VIC JURIS Live Performance at J&R + WBGO Broadcast Saturday January 15, 2005 4PM-5PM
Source:
All About Jazz
January 11, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Jazz guitarist VIC JURIS and his band will be performing live at J & R Music World In-Store Appearance and WBGO Live Broadcast On The Air with WBGO's Monifa Carson...Live Performance & Interview at 4PM The performance will be broadcast live from WBGO 88.3-FM, Jazz88...25 years, straight ahead. Tune in on the Internet to www.wbgo.org J&R Music World Park Row Lower Manhattan (across from City Hall ...
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Dancing Shadows
From: Blue HorizonBy Vic Juris
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