The Guitar Channel

Greg Howe to perform with Eddie Jobson's new band

Prog-rock legend and UKZ founder Eddie Jobson has a new project entitled U-Z (The Ultimate Zero Project). This largely instrumental band will feature a revolving lineup of guest musicians playing Jobson's music, and it appears other prog music as well. The first lineup has been announced, and it includes Greg Howe on guitar (!). Here is Jobson's announcement:

"Author: EJ
Date:   07-04-09 20:20

I would like to announce here, on my forum, the lineup for the first "Ultimate Zero" tour:

Apart from Eddie Jobson - keys/violin (well I guess I have to show up...), my guests will include Greg Howe - guitar (Michael Jackson), Michael Bernier - stick (Stick Men), Marco Minnemann drums (UKZ), and Simon Phillips - drums (Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend, Toto etc.).

Greg Howe will NOT be playing New York; the guest guitarist in New York will be announced shortly.   All of the other players will perform all six shows... yes, that's TWO of the world's best drummers together in the band.

I think that's a pretty great lineup   Thank you to the musicians who have agreed to perform with me, and also to the ones who wanted to do it and, I hope, will be able to join me on future tours.

Please support the shows and help me to promote them as much as you can.   I'll see you there!   Thanks.

Eddie"

Here are the announced dates so far, as posted on Marco Minnemann's MySpace:

Aug 17 2009        Jammin Java,U-Z: Eddie Jobson, Marco Minnemann, Simon Phillips, Greg Howe and Michael Bernier     Vienna, Virginia
Aug 18 2009        BB King’s; Eddie Jobson, Marco Minnemann, Simon Phillips, Greg Howe and Michael Bernier     New York, New York
Aug 19 2009        Regent Theatre; U-Z: Eddie Jobson, Marco Minnemann, Simon Phillips, Greg Howe and Michael Bernier     Arlington, Massachusetts
Aug 20 2009       North Star Bar; U-Z, Eddie Jobson, Marco Minnemann, Simon Phillips, Greg Howe and Michael Bernier     Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Aug 21 2009       Beachland Ballroom, Eddie Jobson, Marco Minnemann, Simon Phillips, and Michael Bernier     Cleveland, Ohio
Aug 22 2009      Martyr’s, U-Z, Eddie Jobson, Marco Minnemann, Simon Phillips, Greg Howe and Michael Bernier     Chicago, Illinois

Greg Howe video - "Come And Get It"

Greg Howe improvising over "Come And Get It."

via Truth In Shredding

Greg Howe video: "Jump Start" - Raleigh Music Academy

Here's a clip of Greg Howe playing "Jump Start" during his clinic at the Raleigh Music Academy on 4/18/09.

Greg Howe "Introspection" backing tracks no longer available on iTunes

Greg Howe has posted the following update on his site:

"UPDATE: Due to pending litigation matters, the Introspection Backing Tracks will be temporarily unavailable for digital downloads. CD version of the backing tracks, at this time, are available with the purchase of the Introspection Tablature Book. However, they are available only with the purchase of the book and are currently not being sold separately.

As this matter is subject to change, we will be sure to keep everyone posted with any new information."

I found the backing tracks have in fact been pulled from iTunes, but for the time being they are still available for download via Amazon. Stay tuned for updates...

Greg Howe "Introspection" backing tracks now available

Greg Howe has just released a backing tracks-only version of his great album Introspection. It features the same songs that appear on the regular album, minus the lead guitar parts. Howe also released a transcription book for Introspection last year.

The backing tracks can be downloaded from both Amazon and iTunes.

Greg Howe's new Premier Guitar article

Greg Howe has joined forces with Premier Guitar magazine as a contributor to their "Fierce Guitar" column. Greg's first article, entitled What is Shred?, appears in the April issue of PG, which can also be viewed online. Check out the following links:

Premier Guitar: Fierce Guitar - What is Shed? by Greg Howe
Premier Guitar: Complete current issue online

via Truth in Shredding

Greg Howe interview for Dinosaur Rock Guitar

Check out the cool Greg Howe interview over at Dinosaur Rock Guitar...

Greg Howe - Shredding the Jazz

Greg Howe NAMM interview for Xotic Effects

Spotted this on Truth In Shredding: Xotic Effects interviews Greg Howe during the 2009 NAMM show.

2009 GUITAR WORKSHOP PLUS PROGRAM

PRESS RELEASE 

Guitar Workshop Plus…Bass, Drums, Keyboards, and Vocals announce an incredible artist line-up for the 2009 summer program and continue to provide the ultimate experience in music education. 

Guitar Workshop Plus has announced three sessions at two locations for its 2009 summer schedule. Confirmed session dates are as follows: 

Toronto (Session 1) July 19-24, 2009.

Toronto (Session 2) July 26-31, 2009.

Vancouver Session August 9-14, 2009. 

So far, some of this year’s incredible guest artists will include rock legend Paul Gilbert (solo, Mr. Big, Racer X), blues great Duke Robillard (solo, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Roomful of Blues), bass master Stuart Hamm (Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, solo), Hall of Fame inductee Rik Emmett (Triumph, solo), multi-stylist Andy Timmons, rock virtuoso Greg Howe, acoustic guru Don Ross, drummer Mark Kelso, and guitar designer Robert Godin!! 

Designed for aspiring musicians of all ages including teenagers, adult hobbyists, students pursuing music careers, semi-professional and professional musicians, Guitar Workshop Plus offers students a unique setting for intense musical and personal growth. As well, this program allows for group development (entire bands will sometimes attend) and the family experience (father and son, mother and daughter, brothers and sisters, etc.). The program provides students with the opportunity to study multiple styles, courses, and levels with some of the industry’s leading musicians. Having enjoyed the experience of a lifetime, students leave each session with enough material to work on until the following year. The program’s administration has been organizing and directing summer music workshops across North America for fourteen years. This unique Canadian program has been sold out the last few years running. Musicians of all ages and levels have been attending from across Canada, the U.S., Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia. Considered by many to be the premier summer music education program in Canada, the program has been offering workshops in Toronto and Vancouver for the past several years and plans for expansion are in the works.  

By directing instruction to the student’s personal style, level of experience, and musical goals, the program creates a healthy, non-competitive environment in which to learn. Furthermore, in addition to an outstanding faculty roster, the list of artists who have worked and continue to work with the administration is truly astounding. Joe Satriani, Alex Lifeson (Rush), Robben Ford, Rik Emmett, Randy Bachman, Andy Summers (The Police), John Scofield, Billy Sheehan, Pierre Bensusan, John Abercrombie, Jennifer Batten, Sue Foley, Lorne Lofsky, John Knowles, John Jorgenson, Paul DeLong, and Orin Isaacs are just a few of the world class artists on this list. Courses are offered for all levels (Beginner to Advanced), ages (12 through Adult), and styles including blues, jazz, rock, acoustic, and classical. The intensive bass, drum, keyboard, and vocal courses cover many styles and afford students with many rhythm section and ensemble performance opportunities. Each day consists of morning and afternoon classes that involve a hands-on approach, late afternoon clinics (songwriting, improvisation, vocal, etc.), ensemble performances, and evening concerts. 

Both Toronto sessions will once again be held at Appleby College in Oakville just west of Toronto. This location has undergone extensive renovations and will be providing outstanding facilities including new classrooms, new dorm rooms, and a new dining hall.  The grounds, as always, remain immaculate and picturesque overlooking the lake.  The Vancouver session will take place at Quest University, which is located just north of Vancouver in Squamish, BC.  Quest is a brand new university located along the Pacific Ocean offering breathtaking views of the mountains and ocean.  The facilities and accommodations are pristine and provide fantastic accommodations, modern classrooms, performance space, and exceptional dining facilities.  

Resident and non-resident tuitions are available and registration has already begun for the 2009 sessions. 

For more information on the Guitar Workshop Plus program, contact: 

Guitar Workshop Plus

99 Queen Street South

2^nd Floor

Mississauga, ON

L5M 1K7

Tel: (905) 567-8000

Email: info@guitarworkshopplus.com

Web: www.guitarworkshopplus.com

Greg Howe @ Tone Merchants - Stevie Wonder Medley

Here's some great footage of Greg Howe at Tone Merchants on 1/16/09 playing a Stevie Wonder medley. I was in attendance for this awesome show (check out this post for more info and pics). I know they professionally filmed the gig for a possible DVD release someday. I believe the footage in this clip came from a fan, but I could be wrong.

Greg Howe phrasing lesson

Here's a cool Greg Howe phrasing lesson that popped up on YouTube yesterday.

NEWSFLASH: Greg Howe to perform at the Grammy Awards

Greg Howe has confirmed on his website the he will be performing at this years Grammy's as a member of Justin Timberlake's band (Howe toured with Timberlake some years ago). The Grammy Awards will air Feb 8th on CBS.

Greg Howe video - Live in Athens: Jump Start/Extraction medley

Several videos of Greg Howe's 1/24/09 show in Athens Greece have been uploaded recently. This one is pretty cool - it's a medley of "Jump Start" & "Extraction." The camera angle here isn't the greatest, but you'll get used to it. Greg sounds great in this clip, especially in the second half.

Greg Howe NAMM video - "Side Note"

Here is another video I shot of Greg Howe at the Eminence booth at NAMM. The version I've embedded here is in high quality (finally figured it out!). This is "Side Note." Dig it...

Greg Howe NAMM video - "Kick It All Over"

This is a video I shot myself of Greg Howe playing at the Eminence booth during the NAMM show. I tried several times to upload it in high quality, but it just didn't take so I gave up. I'll do some more research for the next few I want to upload. It doesn't look too bad I guess. Greg was awesome that day. This is "Kick It All Over."

UPDATE: 1/21/09 - The embedded version above is now in high quality. Enjoy!

NAMM Show: Day Three (plus photos)

Saturday was my longest and last day at the NAMM show. I played some great guitars, and met some great musicians including John Czajkowski from Hectic Watermelon, and keyboardist T Lavitz. I also saw two awesome performances at the Eminence Speakers booth - Chris Poland and Pag from OHM, followed by Greg Howe. Later that night, I saw Allan Holdsworth play at Alva's (I'll post about that in more detail tomorrow). Overall, it was an awesome trip, but it feels great to be home. I've been busy since coming back; I just finished uploading and organizing my pics. Check them out:

Winter 2009 NAMM show photo album

See also: my photos from last year's NAMM show

Greg Howe photos - Live at Tone Merchants 1/16/09

So what did I do last night after a great day at NAMM? I saw Greg Howe perform at Tone Merchants in Orange CA, thats what. What a fantastic gig this was! Dave Weiner opened the show by playing some original tunes over backing tracks, and special guest Jennifer Batten joined Howe's band for the encore. Amazing stuff. For me, seeing great gigs like this is part of what makes a NAMM trip so special. Check out my photo gallery of this incredible show:

Greg Howe photo gallery - Live at Tone Merchants 1/16/09

Upcoming Greg Howe dates

Here are some upcoming dates for Greg Howe's band:

Jan. 16 - Tone Merchants - Orange, CA (during NAMM)
Jan. 23 - Athina Live - Athens, Greece
Jan. 24 - Athina Live - Athens, Greece

Greg will perform some of his greatest material along with some tunes from his new 2008 release, Sound Proof.

Opening for Greg on Friday, January 16 will be Dave Weiner (of the Steve Vai band). Greg and Dave will jam with a very special guest at the end of the show.

Call or e-mail Tone Merchants to reserve your tickets at 1-714-288-9583 or noel@tonemerchants.com

To reserve your tickets in Greece, call: 0030 210 4813605.

NOTE: I will be attending the Greg Howe show at Tone Merchants on the 16th. Not sure yet if I'll be at NAMM though. Stay tuned...

via Blabbermouth.net

Favorite albums of 2008

2008 was another great year for jazz rock fusion progressive whateveryoucallit guitar music. Here are my favorite albums of the year, in order of their release.

Tim Miller - Trio Vol. 2

Fantastic Holdsworthian fusion. Great acoustic/electric tones.

John McLaughlin - Floating Point (Review)

Western jazz fusion played with Eastern musicians. McLaughlin's best album in years.

Greg Howe - Sound Proof (Review)

Outstanding writing and playing. True heavy fusion.

Alex Machacek/Jeff Sipe/Neal Fountain - The Official Triangle Sessions (LIVE)

An Abstract Logix exclusive. Awesome live recording featuring tracks from the Improvision album.

OHM - Circus of Sound (Review)

Highly creative heavy fusion from Chris Poland and co.

 

Jimmy Herring - Lifeboat (Review)

Remarkable writing and playing. My favorite album of the year.

Jeff Beck - Performing this week...Live at Ronnie Scott's

Great live album featuring all of Beck's classics. Look for my review soon.

Other favorites from 2008:

Paul Gilbert - Silence Followed by a Deafening Roar (Review)
Charlie Hunter - Baboon Strength
Mike Miller Quintet - World Goes Round
McCoy Tyner - Guitars
Claude Pauly - Mind Meets Matter
Tadashi Goto - Innervisions
CAB - Theatre De Marionnettes

Greg Howe video interview with Guitars-Attitude.com

Here's a new 3-part interview with Greg Howe, courtesy of Guitars-Attitude.com. Kudos to Truth in Shredding for spotting this.

PART 1

PART 2

PART3