Terra Nova Press

Guitar Talk: Conversations with Visionary Players

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Guitar Talk dives deep into the minds of 27 of the most innovative guitarists of our time, offering an intimate look at the creative journeys, philosophies, and stories behind the music.

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Through conversations led by Joel Harrison, icons like Nels Cline, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Julian Lage, Mary Halvorson, Vernon Reid, and many more reveal the inspirations, challenges, and breakthroughs that shaped their unique voices on the instrument.

The guitar’s ability to howl, soothe, scream, and sing is just the backdrop—what truly shines here are the idiosyncratic personalities and profound artistic journeys of these musicians.

From Bill Frisell’s surprising high school R&B contest win (beating future members of Earth, Wind & Fire) to Nels Cline’s reflections on the music he’d want played at his funeral, and Michael Gregory Jackson’s candid stories of navigating racism in the avant-jazz, rock, and blues scenes of the 1980s, Guitar Talk is filled with revelations, humor, and raw insight.

This book is a must-read for anyone captivated by the boundless possibilities of the modern guitar.

"The work that Joel Harrison has done to showcase the development of the guitar and the expanded role that it has taken in music is a testament to the almost unlimited sonic dimensions the word 'guitar' can invoke in the imagination of musicians and fans alike.”
—Pat Metheny

“Reading about my fellow guitarists, their paths, their inspiration, their struggles and their dedication, inspires me and makes me feel connected with them. If there is one thing that shines through all these interviews, it is the courage all artists share, to become exactly who they want to be, or more likely who they really are.”
—Wolfgang Muthspiel

(image: joel harrison via joelharrison.com)


Interviews
1.
Nels Cline
2.
Pat Metheny
3.
Fred Frith
4.
Bill Frisell
5.
Julian Lage
6.
Elliott Sharp
7.
Michael Gregory Jackson
8.
Ben Monder
9.
Anthony Pirog
10.
Henry Kaiser
11.
Mike and Leni Stern
12.
Vernon Reid
13.
Mary Halvorson
14.
Nguyên Le
15.
Rez Abbasi
16.
Ava Mendoza
17.
Liberty Ellman
18.
Brandon Ross
19.
Wayne Krantz
20.
Dave Fiuczynski
21.
Wolfgang Muthspiel
22.
Miles Okazaki
23.
Sheryl Bailey
24.
Rafiq Bhatia
25.
Ralph Towner
26.
David Tronzo

About The Author
Bio
Guitarist / composer / arranger / lyricist / writer / educator / and vocalist Joel Harrison has “created a new blueprint for jazz” (New Orleans Times-Picayune). A Guggenheim Fellow (2010) whose compositions have been commissioned by Chamber Music America / Meet the Composer / New Music USA / the Jerome Foundation / NYSCA / and the Mary Flagler Cary Trust / Harrison is a two-time winner of the Jazz Composers Alliance Composition Competition and has appeared repeatedly on DownBeat Magazine’s “Rising Star” poll.

His twenty-two releases as a leader include Free Country - featuring Norah Jones and David Binney - the recent America at War for jazz orchestra - String Choir: The Music of Paul Motian - and Search featuring Donny McCaslin.

Harrison’s music may be founded on jazz but veers into classical / rock / country / and all manner of American roots music. Succinctly described by the New York Times as “protean… brilliant” he is also an active film composer having worked on the Oscar-nominated Traffic Stop and the Sundance awardee Southern Comfort.

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