Give And Take
$9.95
On his Joplin & Sweeney label debut, Witzel’s ability to switch stylistic gears is well matched by a cast of extraordinary players including sax legend Ernie Watts, Yellowjackets keyboardist/composer Russell Ferrante, former Bill Evans bassist Marc Johnson, drummer Ralph Penland (Freddie Hubbard’s mainstay since the mid-70s), fretless bass whiz Kim Stone (Rippingtons), and special guest John Abercrombie (in a duet of Jim Hall’s Young One).
Description
As one of the more compelling West Coast jazz guitarists to emerge in some time, Northern California-bred Jim Witzel’s musical vision embraces the heartfelt stylings of the late Wes Montgomery, the introspection of Jim Hall, and the more current harmonic and rhythmic vistas of Pat Metheny and former teacher Joe D’Orio.
Jim Witzel grew up in the Northern California town of San Rafael and took up the guitar at age 12. He started out playing folk and pop music, then rock and blues. His interest in jazz developed after hearing recordings by Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery and Jim Hall.
His debut album, Give And Take was intended to present a personal musical statement by combining his playing and writing skills with the distinctive talents of his six musical guests: Ernie Watts, Russell Ferrante, Marc Johnson, Kim Stone, Ralph Penland, and another of Jim’s early influences, John Abercrombie. The compositions reflect diverse musical influences which enable him to feature these unique players in a variety of jazz contexts.
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