Ron Jackson Guitar Notes

Seeing my Good friend Jack Wilkins at Bella Luna.

2012-05-13T09:37:00.003-07:00

I finally started hanging out again after years of just gigging,then going home.
I decided to go at least once a week to see music, old friends and sometimes sit in. I used to do this all the time when first moved to New York. It became too much and expensive!
A couple of weeks ago I decided to go see Jack Wilkins at his weekly guitar hang at Bella Luna in Upper West Side. He had Ethan Mann on guitar as a guest that night. They sounded great! I hadn't seen Jack for at least 10 years. The last time we played together was with the 5 Guitars Play Mingus in mid 90's( that shows how old I am!) We really had fun in that band. Everyone played back then, Larry Coryell, Russell Malone, Peter Leitch, Vic Juris, Peter Bernstein, David Gilmore and some others that I don't remember. When I saw and spoke to Jack, it was like yesterday.
He asked me to sit in and I accepted with pleasure. I played my new Eastman 7 string, which I still don't feel comfortable playing. I am still lost especially when transposing tunes. Most people say they don't notice but I do! Anyway it was really fun. I got to see old friends like guitarist Peter Mazza, and play with percussionist Vanderlei Peirera and his wife Susan on vocals. I was honored when Jack asked me if I want to play there. So I'll be playing on July 31 Bella Luna with Jack.

New Endorsement - Eastman Guitars

2012-05-13T09:28:00.001-07:00

Ron using his NEW Eastman 7-String Guitar!

I have been studying with 7 string jazz guitar master Bucky Pizzarell on and off since 2003.
I never realized that he was in his mid 70's when I started! His spirit is so young. I only wanted to learn his Freddie Green style comping technique. I swear it took me 2 years to get that together. I can explain more about his comping style in another post. Ever since I started studying with Bucky, he's insisted on me buying a 7-string guitar. I was thinking whenever he asked me, "is he crazy, that's too much, I already find it difficult playing 6 string."

For you guitarists, would you ever switch to a 7 String?

Well, we had a concert together at Flushing town Hall in December 2011. After really hearing Bucky play that guitar again so well, I decided to finally buy one. I spoke to Bucky's right hand man on guitar Ed Laub who I met playing with Bucky at the same concert. Ed told me that Eastman makes the most affordable, well-made, great playing guitars. He said the guitars are made in China (what isn't made in China) but that they read the by book Bob Benedetto on arch top building and studied in the USA. Well they have in down. I ordered a used Eastman 810CE-7 online from Guitar Center in late December 2012. This 810CE-7 is a 2007 in great condition. The day it arrived, I took it right to a gig with saxophonist Sedric Choukroun and vocalist Lezlie Harrison. It was the perfect gig for 7-string guitar no bass. I was lost!!!! I had the 7th string tuned to a low B since I was use to playing my 5 string electric bass like that. I spoke to Ed Laub after and he said to tune it to a low A to double the 5th string. I didn't understand that at first. Bucky explained to me later during a lesson that George Van Eps used this tuning.

Well I love my Eastman guitar. It has great tone, playability balance, at a great price. I love the rich low bass notes of the A string. On a solo or duo it's ideal. Bucky says bass players hate it! I have played my 7-string with bassists. All I do is avoid playing the low A string. When the bassist takes a solo or when I want to use power of the A string for endings etc. I play the low A. The 2007 Eastman I own has no volume or tone control built in, so I need to use a volume pedal on gigs.

Since getting my 1st Eastman I had gone the NAMM show in Anaheim in January.
I met with their people there. I met LA jazz master John Pisano and jammed with him at their booth. Now I am an Eastman 7 String artist. I own 2 different Eastman 810CE-7 7 String Guitars, a 2007 and 2012 with a built in volume and tone control on the neck. I am also having an Eastman AR403CE customized adding a 7-string neck. They are great affordable arch top guitars.

Learning the 7-string has been a challenging learning curve. I still mistake the 7th string for the 6th,sometimes I can't name chords I am playing, sometime I'm lost especially when I am reading or transposing. Otherwise I really enjoy playing 7-string guitar. I love all the possibilities of the low a string. It's keeps me on toes, always thinking, learning and discovering. I am practicing even more now because I am very inspired. Bucky who is 86, practices everyday at 7am,while maintaining a busy touring and recording schedule. I feel in my case that Bucky wants to pass on the tradition to me because not many guitarists play 7-string. Music really does keep you young.

The "Burning Gums" Debut CD !!!

2011-05-18T23:57:00.000-07:00

Come check out The Burning Debut Gums CD !!!!

“Burning Gums” is a CD you will no doubt appreciate through and through. This recording is exquisitely original, tasteful and a must for your music collection."
Eric Frazier

Jazz Journalist

Jazz Inside Magazine

“Burning Gums is Jazz that Burns and Spreads”
www.burninggums.com

Representing three continents, Burning Gums is a fresh new color on the seemingly endless palette of jazz guitar bands. The trio's debut album contains nine exciting tracks showcasing high caliber musicianship expertly navigating between the many styles of music from samba to swing. Interesting compositions and unusual arrangements of classics like So What and Killer Joe will keep listeners pleasantly alert. Norbert Marius’ smooth bass grooves provide solid foundation for guitarist Ron Jackson’s sophisticated improvisations, which are expertly matched by Matsu Hiroyuki’s energetic drumming, all creating the very special sound of Burning Gums. A sound that will make its mark! A true jam.

The Burning Gums is Ron Jackson-Guitar (USA)Norbert Marius-Bass(Hungary) Hiroyuki Matsuura-Drums and Percussion.(Japan)

What a Summer!

2010-09-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

It was busier than normal for me this past summer,even though I didn't do any touring. I focused on finishing projects here at home.

I am in the final stages of finishing my acoustic guitar CD. I am doing everything myself, producing, arranging,writing,mixing,editing,worrying (going to the Applestore and taking One To One Classes) . It takes hours doing this, but I am learning so much. My CD will feature all original tunes, on nylon and steel string guitar. Styles include ragtime, fingerstyle,modern jazz, calypso, bossa, new age, flamenco, my youtube rendition on Danny Boy and 99 Baloons as the only covers.

I did some recording work with alto saxophonist Carl Barlett Jr., which we rehearsed this one song. This was the hardest melody I ever had to learn. You'll be hearing alot from this guy.
I also did a recording session vocalist Lisa Kirchner, which was great.Willie Jones, Dwayne Burno, Xavier Davis, Vincente Archer and Sherman Irby were on the session as well. We did jazz renditions of classical composers Charles Ives, Leon Kirchner, among others.

Still holding the fort at Night of the Cookers with Greg Lewis-Organ and Chris Brown-Drums every friday in Fort Greene Brooklyn. Also every week with Sedric Choukroun at Brasserie Julien and at Private party agencies, Bud Maltin and Touch of Jazz. I had some fun performances with violinist Gwen Laster and bassist Damon Banks as well.

There so much other stuff that happened this summer, but I'll write about that later.

Peace, Ron

Danny Boy Irish Cover Ron Jackson Solo Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

2010-01-04T08:08:00.001-08:00

This is my arrangement of "Danny Boy", with a modern twist, which will be featured in a future CD of traditional songs, anthems and ballads.Danny Boy, is widely considered an Irish anthem, although written by Englishman Frederick Weatherly, based on the Londonderry Air in 1910. Nonetheless, "Danny Boy" is considered by many Irish and Canadian Americans to be their unofficial signature song. Transcriptions and music is available for this arrangement.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Ron Jackson Solo Pick Fingerstyle Electric Guitar Ballad

2009-12-20T01:35:00.001-08:00

First recorded by Judy Garland, another one of my favorite Christmas tunes. This is my arrangement with a reharmonized chords, bass pedals and modulations. This was also recorded by Christina Aguilera Gloria Estefan Kenny G The Jackson 5 Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan among many others.
http://www.ronjacksonmusic.com/
Buy CD's and Mp3's
http://www.cdbaby.com/all/ronjacksonmusic

"White Christmas" by Irving Berlin Ron Jackson Solo Swing Cover Pick Fingerstyle Electric Guitar

2009-12-13T03:37:00.001-08:00

http://www.ronjacksonmusic.com/
Buy CD's and Mp3's
http://www.cdbaby.com/all/ronjacksonmusic
Made famous by Bing Crosby, one of my favorite Christmas tunes written by Irving Berlin also sung by many others including Frank Sinatra.This is my arrangement of a swinging Christmas classic!

"A Christmas Song" Nat King Cole Ron Jackson Solo Pickstyle Fingerstyle Electric Guitar Ballad

2009-12-12T08:52:00.001-08:00

My arrangement and rendition of a tune I have played many a time during the holidays. A classic ballad that's one of my favorites!

How to survive in the music business when it's always up and down.

2009-12-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

In the music business it's either sink or swim!When it comes to gigs, either it's dead or it's crazy busy! You know the saying, "How do you make a musician complain?" ---"Give them a gig" I prefer to have a gig!! Sometimes I'll do some crazy things to make a gig. Here are some examples of some things I've done recently........
1.) Play a gig in the evening in New York,then drive 3 hours that same night to play in Maryland the next morning @ 7am then drive back 3 hours to Brooklyn,teach for 3 hours then make another gig that night.
2.) I was playing 3-5 gigs a day when I was performing at schools for Jazz at Lincoln Center a couple of weeks ago, the call times were so early, that I had to wake up @ 6am, sometimes drive for an hour, then play.
3.) Wake up with only 4 hours of sleep, teach for 7 hours, then play a duo gig(guitar and saxophone for 5 1/2 hours, while driving to make each gig.

It's rough trying to make all these jobs, I run on steam, trying to rest in bed in between some days so I don't get sick.
Here's the question?
"Is it worth it?"
Damn Right!!!!!
This is my career, not a job. I am one of the lucky musicians who can say when some straight 9-5ver asks, "What kind of work do you do?" I can proudly say, "I play music". They always look surprised!!!!
It's a tough business, it's takes more than just being a great musician to make a living. I'll write about that soon. Peace, Ron
http://www.ronjacksonmusic.com
http://www.youtube.com/balladmanbrooklyn
http://www.cdbaby.com/all/ronjacksonmusic

Checkout my Reverbnation TunePack featuring tunes from my New CD,"Flubby Dubby"!!!

2009-10-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/1869626

Summer's Over! The vacation is over!

2009-09-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

I had a great summer. I did a lot of of work in the home studio,practiced more than usual, traveled to Pittsburgh and Martha's Vineyard for vacation, went to amusement and water parks and the beach.More summer fun than usual. Now that fall is here I am going back to my educational programs that I am involved with, The Brooklyn Conservatory, Wachovia Jazz for Teens, Music Outreach, The New York Pops and Jazz at Lincoln Center. I'll be also busy with recording sessions, gigs and some traveling. I'll still try to take some time enjoy the things that I like to do, see movies, concerts, exercise, relax and get enough rest. Let's see if that happens!!!!!!!

"A Calypso Party" Ron Jackson Pickstyle Acoustic Guitar Original Composition

2009-09-18T23:15:00.001-07:00

http://www.ronjacksonmusic.com/
I was born in the Philippines. This tune is inspired by my Filipino roots and experience traveling to and playing in the Caribbean as well as performing and recording in Caribbean jazz bands here in New York.
Ron Jackson - Acoustic Guitar
Composed by Ron Jackson Roni Music SESAC

"Every One" Ron Jackson Pick Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar Original Composition

2009-09-04T19:45:00.001-07:00

http://www.ronjacksonmusic.com/
Ron Jackson - Acoustic Guitar
Shohei Narabe- Keyboards and Percussion
Composed by Ron Jackson Roni Music SESAC

Prince, The Stylistics - "Betcha By Golly, Wow," Cover Ron Jackson Solo Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

2009-08-23T17:01:00.001-07:00

A very intricate and beautiful ballad, really fun to play on the guitar.It was a challenge to play this piece and say something from the heart. Prince, The Stylistics - "Betcha By Golly, Wow," Cover Ron Jackson Solo Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

Cyndi Lauper, Miles Davis -"Time After Time," Cover - Ron Jackson Solo Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

2009-08-23T16:59:00.001-07:00

I knew the Miles Davis version of this tune first because I actually saw him play it live. I listened to Cyndi Lauper's original version later. My arrangement is based on Cyndi's version.

John Lennon - " Imagine," Cover - Ron Jackson Solo Pick Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

2009-08-23T16:58:00.001-07:00

My peaceful and tranquil rendition and arrangement of one of my favorite songs ever. I played in the key of G so I could use resonating open strings. John Lennon - " Imagine," Cover - Ron Jackson Solo Pick Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

Jackson 5 Stylistics "People Make The World Go Round" Ron Jackson Solo Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

2009-08-20T16:26:00.001-07:00

My solo arrangement and rendition of the classic 70’s tune that I have performed many times live and recorded on one of my CD’s. Usually this tune is played with a full band with its recurring ostinato bass line.It's always time consuming and a challenge for me to write,practice and perform these pieces. I really love the time and key changes in this composition. Originally recorded by the Stylistics and then the Jackson 5.

Just back from Virginia and Maryland.

2009-07-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

I just played a corporate jazz event for Sleepy's. Had to drive to Alexandria, Virginia and Columbia, Maryland to play at 7am tues . and wedn.That's too early! Anyway it was fun and challenge to play at brink of dawn. It was hard to wake and play like it's the evening. I realized that I've played so many types gigs and situations in my career. I could write some great stories. Anyway back in Brooklyn. I am getting ready to tape another youtube video for my solo guitar channel "balladmanbrooklyn" .......... I am trying to improve my videos every session. I'll let you know how it goes............. and what I'll lay down next..................

My Birthday today!, Travel to work 2morrow

2009-07-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

I am going to go to the beach today,get dinner and then the movies for my birthday! Tommorow I must drive to D.C. and Maryland for a couple of private parties and then to Monclair on Thursday for a concert. Alot of running around to do but I am glad to be busy!

Recording and making 2 gigs Today.

2009-07-24T17:53:00.000-07:00

I video taped a tune with my daughter today for youtube. We had to play along with the audio we performed. It was really difficult to sync with the audio. I have really hard time faking playing the guitar. We got most of it like the tune. Right after I had to rush to central park boathouse for a wedding ceremony and cocktail. Now I'm back home and getting ready to my jazz gig with the Greg Lewis trio at Night Of The Cookers in Brooklyn. Alot of running around today. That's all for now!