10 Questions For Jazz Guitarist Geoff Young

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The Geoff Young Trio featuring the artful Jim Vivian on bass and the high impact of Barry Romberg on drums. Joining the seminal trio in the jazz room is none other than the gifted Kelly Jefferson on sax!  See them this Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at The KW Jazz Room.
Guitarist and composer Geoff Young has improvised at festivals and clubs on three continents. Geoff is renowned for his acoustic trio that has received acclaim from critics around the world for it’s ability to create a compelling sense of foreboding and desolation.  Geoff was nominated for two recordings at the 2006 National Jazz Awards with the groups Random Access and Modern Surfaces. He is currently on faculty at the University of Toronto and Humber College.
1. What guitars and amps do you own?

Fender guitars and amps along with some others. Godin, Larivee etc.

2. What will be your set up this weekend?

1966 Telecaster into 1970 Fender Deluxe  Reverb.

3. How do you believe you achieve your tone?(strings, pick, hands, effects, etc)

Ears, pick, fingers and everything down the signal path from there, which varies from situation to situation.

Tone starts with the idea you have in your head.

4. Tell us about your original music?

Some of the things we will be playing are posted here; http://restandmotion.wordpress.com/ A picture’s worth a…

5.  Tell us about your approach to playing standards?

In this group we use a standard as a vehicle for interaction. Common ground.

6.  What are your favourite songs to play?

Any song with the right musicians.

7.  Do you have a favourite scale or lick that you play?  Or what was the jazz scale that really changed your playing?

The Chromatic Scale is to musical space as White is to the colour spectrum. Exploring chromaticism is of great interest to me.

8. What guitarist, song or album inspires you?

The Malagasy guitarist D’Gary. I have a student at Humber College by the name of Nick Tateishi who is turning out to be one of the most inspiring young guitarists of his generation.

9.  What do you do to practice technique?

I tend to practice playing, improvising and other stuff related to the gig. Accuracy at a slow tempo is important when you practice.

10. What can the audience expect to hear next Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at The KW Jazz Room?

A variety of originals and some standards, maybe the an odd meter thing or two. Lots of listening and interaction from the best sideman a guitarist could hope to have onboard.

Stephen Zurakowsky
Artistic Director

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Stephen Zurakowsky Classical Guitarist's avatar

Stephen Zurakowsky Classical Guitarist

Stephen Zurakowsky(www.anumi.ca) is a graduate from The University of Toronto. He has studied with Norbert Kraft, Eli Kasner, David Russell, Stepan Rak and Phil Nimmons. Recently he has been awarded an International CD Distribution grant from The SOCAN Foundation, which will oversee the airplay of "Four Trees In Winter" in 135 radio markets worldwide. Stephen has enjoyed substantial support from the Ukrainian arts community across Canada, having been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers and radio programs. He performs chamber concerts as a soloist and has written works for electric classical guitar and choir. A Zurakowsky concert encompasses a sense of deep passion, as you feel invited to experience his love for composing and how his Ukrainian heritage has an influence on his creativity. His music has been featured on Canada's CBC and was reviewed in Toronto's The Wholenote Magazine as a favourable pick amongst classical independents.

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