Whatever happened to...
Steve Grenadier
following jazz guitarists (I can think of a bunch, but I'll keep the
list small):
1) Roland Prince: He released two albums (around the 1970s). He
played with Elvin Jones for some time. I thought his playing was quite
good, although his tone was very bright and tinny (pictured using a
Gretsch). I believe he was Jamaican.
2) Dempsey Wright: He had one album, The Wright Approach, released in
1958. I think it is quite good; very much in the style of Mundell Lowe
(and a bit of Howard Roberts). I've never heard anything else from him.
3) Mike Elliott: His name has been discussed here several times. I
know he plays in Minneapolis. I even had some email conversations with
him, and he was very nice. For those of you who heard him play live in
a Gibson seminar, you probably know what an amazing guitarist he is. He
also has several albums from the 70's and 80's (and two nice chord
books). My question is why he faded off the scene so much. Is he busy
doing teaching/studio work?
cl...@claymoore.com
<sg...@stanford.edu> wrote:
>Just wondering if anyone knows what the current status is of the
>following jazz guitarists (I can think of a bunch, but I'll keep the
>list small):
>
>1) Roland Prince: He released two albums (around the 1970s). He
>played with Elvin Jones for some time. I thought his playing was quite
>good, although his tone was very bright and tinny (pictured using a
>Gretsch). I believe he was Jamaican.
I had a Roland Pronce album, and I too enjoyed his playing a lot. But
I have no idea what became of him.
>
>2) Dempsey Wright: He had one album, The Wright Approach, released in
>1958. I think it is quite good; very much in the style of Mundell Lowe
>(and a bit of Howard Roberts). I've never heard anything else from him.
Haven't heard of him.
>
>3) Mike Elliott: His name has been discussed here several times. I
>know he plays in Minneapolis. I even had some email conversations with
>him, and he was very nice. For those of you who heard him play live in
>a Gibson seminar, you probably know what an amazing guitarist he is. He
>also has several albums from the 70's and 80's (and two nice chord
>books). My question is why he faded off the scene so much. Is he busy
>doing teaching/studio work?
This one I can somewhat answer. He has had some health problems, I
believe related to diabetes. He is playing here in St Paul at the
Artists' Quarter on January 26 and 27 with a quartet. Cover is $8. I
intend to be there at least one of those nights if I'm not working,
and I'll be sure and find out as much as I can about his recent
activities.
Wfsilva
>>1958.
I heard from a bass player years ago that Wright had a breakdown and stopped
playing. I could not verify this. But the bass player working in Las Vegas at
the same time as Wright.
Wright was the funkyist (not in a rock sense) guitar player I've ever heard.
Bill.
Reg Schwager
> 1) Roland Prince: He released two albums (around the 1970s). He
> played with Elvin Jones for some time. I thought his playing was quite
> good, although his tone was very bright and tinny (pictured using a
> Gretsch). I believe he was Jamaican.
I think he's actually from Antigua. Last I heard he was back there and
playing piano in addition to guitar. The times I saw him live in
Toronto he had a beautiful guitar sound -- very warm.