Howard Alden - Concord Jazz Guitar Collective (1995)

The Concord Jazz Guitar Collective was a 1995 project that united Howard Alden with fellow guitarists and Concord artists Jimmy Bruno and Frank Vignola. For Concord, a three-guitar date was hardly unprecedented; back in 1974, the label had brought Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, and Herb Ellis together as the Great Guitars. Despite the fact that they all play the same instrument, Alden, Bruno, and Vignola prove compatible on this outing, which also employs Jim Hughart on upright bass and Colin Bailey on drums. Although Bruno tends to be more aggressive and forceful than Alden, he can be quite lyrical when he wants to; and while Alden isn't as hard a player as Bruno, he definitely swings. The two have a strong rapport on uptempo numbers like Charlie Parker's "Ornithology," Sam Jones' "Bittersweet," and Benny Goodman's "Seven Come Eleven," as well as on more relaxed performances like Django Reinhardt's "Song D'Autumne" and the standard "Body and Soul." Vignola, meanwhile, also proves to be an asset. Though not all of his 1990s output for Concord was memorable, he's a talented guitarist; and on Concord Jazz Guitar Collective, the presence of Alden and Bruno encourages Vignola to work hard and put that talent to use instead of wasting it. This is a CD that lovers of hard-bop guitar playing will appreciate. ~ Alex Henderson

Personnel: Howard Alden, Jimmy Bruno (tracks: 1, 3 to 5, 7, 8, 10, 12), Electric Guitar – Frank Vignola (tracks: 8, 10, 12), Acoustic Guitar – Frank Vignola (tracks: 1 to 7, 9, 11), Jimmy Bruno (tracks: 2, 6, 9, 11); Bass – Jim Hughart (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12); Drums – Colin Bailey (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12)