tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post5674102474240818218..comments2024-03-27T22:41:44.357+00:00Comments on bebop spoken here: R.I.P Johnny Smith.Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494856116843281101noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-24900706960938903552013-06-14T18:24:27.831+01:002013-06-14T18:24:27.831+01:00Lance - you are the bearer of the bad news. As you...Lance - you are the bearer of the bad news. As you know Johnny Smith was a major influence in my style of chordal playing. I also have everything he ever recorded. I had some fascinating conversations with him at a guitar seminar in Wrexham when he recalled some of his memories of recording with Jerri Southern and Ruth Price among others. He was a true gentleman who in recent years enjoyed game Ron Chapmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-23044421915057915062013-06-14T11:33:32.526+01:002013-06-14T11:33:32.526+01:00Although I never met Johnny Smith – I did have had...Although I never met Johnny Smith – I did have had mail contact with him over the years and found him to be a perfect gentleman. He was always totally modest about his enormous talent and about the extent of his influence on so many other guitarists.<br />I first heard his distinctive lush chording and crystal clear single-note soloing on the historic 1952 recording of ‘Moonlight in Vermont’.. Maurice Summerfieldnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-42280875257381501422013-06-14T09:53:00.433+01:002013-06-14T09:53:00.433+01:00Sad to hear this. He was one of the greats. Some p...Sad to hear this. He was one of the greats. Some pals saw him at the Wales Guitar Fest a few years back and said he was amazing and a perfect gentleman too, and very humble. His vertically stacked, close voiced chords were a trademark of his and something new at the time. They are very difficult to finger (big hands help) and in that respect he pushed the existing boundaries of jazz guitar Rolynoreply@blogger.com