10 Questions For Jazz Guitarist Eric DiVito
This Friday Feb. 22, 2013 The KW Jazz Room presents Eric DiVito, a pivotal New York jazz guitarist, composer and educator. His music is demanding and compelling, drawing in bop, pop, classical, Latin and other styles into rhythmically shifting tunes.
For more information please go to http://www.kwjazzroom.com
Recently the KW Guitar Society had the pleasure to ask Eric 10 guitarist like questions!
KWGS – What guitars and amps do you own?
I own 2 Flite guitar cabs, which are excellent lightweight custom speaker cabinets (I endorse them, check them out at www.flitecabs.com). I use an Acoustic Image Clarus 2R amp. I also have a 1978 or 79 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface.
KWGS – What will be your set up this weekend?
I plan on using my Acoustic Image Clarus with my Flite 112 cabinet and either my Guild or possibly my Eastman T185, not sure yet.
KWGS – How do you believe you achieve your tone?(strings, pick, hands, effects, etc)
Primarily through my technique but also the strings, and amp play a role of course.
KWGS – Tell us about your original music?
I tend to write music that contains elements of Jazz and sometimes classical and popular music. I guess you can call it modern Jazz, but there are certainly elements of Bebop, and straight ahead Jazz, as well as things that are idiomatic to pop music and classical guitar music. I like to explore form and texture as well as melody and harmony, and sometime I try to write something that is inspired by a particular idea or musician that I admire or that speaks to me. I strive for it be eclectic to offer points of improvisation for both individuals and often the entire group.
KWGS – Tell us about your approach to playing standards?
Jazz guitars – Eastman 805CE and Eastman T185MX (I endorse them too) as well as a 1979 Guild CE 100. I also use a Godin Multiac Duet for Classical and nylon string stuff and I have a Tacoma ER22C steel string acoustic and a Fender Strat, MIM.
KWGS – What will be your set up this weekend?
I plan on using my Acoustic Image Clarus with my Flite 112 cabinet and either my Guild or possibly my Eastman T185, not sure yet.
KWGS – How do you believe you achieve your tone?(strings, pick, hands, effects, etc)
Primarily through my technique but also the strings, and amp play a role of course.
KWGS – Tell us about your original music?
I tend to write music that contains elements of Jazz and sometimes classical and popular music. I guess you can call it modern Jazz, but there are certainly elements of Bebop, and straight ahead Jazz, as well as things that are idiomatic to pop music and classical guitar music. I like to explore form and texture as well as melody and harmony, and sometime I try to write something that is inspired by a particular idea or musician that I admire or that speaks to me. I strive for it be eclectic to offer points of improvisation for both individuals and often the entire group.
KWGS – Tell us about your approach to playing standards?
I guess that depends on the mood I am in, the musicians I am playing with and the gig. I like to make them sound unique to my playing style when I can, sometimes, if I am playing them solo, I like to explore and play with the form or play with elements of the tune that I think make it identifiable to me. Other times I just try to play it down and nail the changes or make it work with the vibe of the soloist or rhythm section.
KWGS – What are your favourite songs to play?
I like playing my own music, but it is always a challenge for me to play, even now! I love the music of Wayne Shorter and standards that have interesting elements to them. Lately, for some reason, I am always calling I’ve Never Been in Love Before, not sure why…
I like playing my own music, but it is always a challenge for me to play, even now! I love the music of Wayne Shorter and standards that have interesting elements to them. Lately, for some reason, I am always calling I’ve Never Been in Love Before, not sure why…
KWGS – Do you have a favourite scale or lick that you play? Or what was the jazz scale that really changed your playing?
I try to veer away from doing this when I can, but as a guitarist I can’t deny that I am sometimes influenced by certain phrases or ideas that speak to me. Also if I am learning a new tune, I might write a lick or transcribe an idea that uses a particular scale that I lean on and end up using often, but of course I want to not SOUND LIKE I am doing this too often.
I try to veer away from doing this when I can, but as a guitarist I can’t deny that I am sometimes influenced by certain phrases or ideas that speak to me. Also if I am learning a new tune, I might write a lick or transcribe an idea that uses a particular scale that I lean on and end up using often, but of course I want to not SOUND LIKE I am doing this too often.
KWGS – What guitarist, song or album inspires you?
Jim Hall, Pat Metheny, Joe Pass, Jack Wilkins, Howard Alden, Adam Rogers, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ben Monder, Julian Bream, Jimi Hendrix, oh man, so many others…KWGS – What do you do to practice technique? (one or two things)
I work on scales, and right and left hand exercises, as well as practice Bach.
I work on scales, and right and left hand exercises, as well as practice Bach.
KWGS – What can the audience expect to hear next Friday?
Hopefully they like what they hear! I guess a glimpse inside of myself and some great interaction among the group. I hope that my tunes each have a unique vibe that speak to everyone and serve as vehicles for improvisation and most importantly that there is good chemistry between the musicians.
Stephen Zurakowsky
Artistic Director
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