cds
Opportunity KnocksPERSONNEL
Pete Smyser guitar
Mike Boone upright bass
Byron Landham drums
Sid Simmons piano (on 3 of the 10 tracks)
Listen to or buy it now at CD Baby, Amazon.com, itunes and other popular music websites.
PUBLISHED REVIEWS
“The mostly trio session could stand up to an old Wes Montgomery disc. The swing is deep, the intentions old-school. Smyser's tunes go down easily, like the bluesy title track or the vamp at the end of "Chance Encounter," which Landham brings to a lather. The set is highly traditional and worthy of wider recognition.” -Karl Stark/ The Philadelphia Inquirer
"The title cut shows Smyser in a bluesy Wes Montgomery groove with the octaves and those liquid chords Wes did so well... this is a fine set and it shows his pliable, flexible and very formidable straight-ahead playing talents. He writes some nice tunes as well. “Sunday,” for example, has a classic old bop guitar feel. It's an absolute pleasure to hear him in this bag... Recommended.” -Grego Applegate Edwards/ Cadence Magazine
“On both his trio effort (Opprtunity Knocks) and in his solo work (Solo Guitar/ Jazz on the Classic), the guitarist seems even more patient than he was in the past, more willing to let the music breathe. The jazz material on both recordings shows Smyser's influences, chiefly the lush, evocative chording of Wes Montgomery and the agility of the reigning master-supremo axe-man, Jim Hall. Don't be distracted by the fact that he's a local player, or that both are self-released on his own label. Both are top drawer stuff that deserve some serious listening.” -Tim Blangger/ The Morning Call
"While listening to this CD it is apparent that Smyser is steeped in the history of jazz guitar. At times you can hear the Kessel influence mixed with Montgomery, and early Joe Pass… not a bad thing. The rhythm section of Boone and Landham are solid and compliment Smyser's compositions and arrangements wonderfully. Fans of traditional jazz guitar will be very pleased with Pete Smyser's latest offering. His melodic sense along with his arrangements and compositions make this CD a great listen.” -Chip Henderson/ Just Jazz Guitar Magazine
"An accomplished young guitarist with a warm, Wes Montgomery-influenced hollow body guitar tone. With a hard-swinging band behind him, he settles into a smoky groove and consistently delivers bluesy phrases filled with inventive chromatic playing.” -Jessy Terry (Real.com)
Pete Smyser - Solo Guitar (Jazz on the Classic - The Bethlehem Guitar Festival Program)Listen to or buy it now at CD Baby, itunes and other popular music websites.
"Jazz on the Classic gives you Pete Smyser as a one-man band. Like Joe Pass, Pete can produce a completely rendered piece-with melody, harmony and rhythm coming from a single instrument. Stylistically, however, Pete goes his own way. How? First off, he's playing a nylon acoustic, which makes for a particular sound; second his improvisations are his own, quite tasteful and articulate, masterful, idiomatic, and imaginative. Joe Pass was all that too, but Smyser gets a different sound and feel. Smyser gives “Black & Tan Fantasy” a striding glide, a very adept translation to the stringed world and a bluesy solo too that is quite nice. Miles Davis' first “Milestones” is another one you don't expect to hear in this medium. It is wonderful to hear it like this, though. It makes you remember just how great a tune it is. And the solo Smyser does have some wonderful lines and hip comping at the same time. I could go on, and mention “Red Door,” a Mulligan-Sims gem that lays just right on Smyser's guitar. Well I just did. That's enough to give you the idea. This is a fine recording and a real tribute to Smyser's abilities. Any fan of the acoustic will get great pleasure from it." -Grego Applegate Edwards/ Cadence Magazine
“ …beautifully played by Smyser. `A Foggy Day' is especially tasty.” -Robert Page (owner of The Classical Guitar Store, Phila., PA)
"I LOVE it. I like it when you work alone best. You are able to completely express yourself and it comes off GREAT!! I am loving it!!” -Jan
“I just love this classical guitar jazz collection. Wow!!!! The sound is so soulful and intimate because of the nylon strings.” -Roger
"I especially liked this acoustic CD. It is a real gem. The very secure playing with interesting 'arrangements' makes it very relaxing. The tunes sound very polished, but free-feeling enough to not sound excessively rehearsed and worked out. It's not at all clear what was planned and what was spontaneous (this is supposed to be a compliment).” - Bill Schaeffer
"I really have enjoyed (your CDs). Your taste, conciseness, and respect for the tradition are rare commodities these days. …keep swingin!” -Tom
The following 3 CDs are also available for purchase...
Pete Smyser & Larry McKenna (CAP960)
TRACK LISTING /sound samples
PUBLISHED REVIEWS
“This is a `must' record, not only for contrasting two important stylists, but also for the enjoyment to be had from the music. Smyser's performances on this release are marked by a reflective, pensive quality. … a flowing quality that is extraordinarily pleasant. Smyser's playing makes for easy-swinging, melodically charming music that is engaging, warm, and spontaneous. This is a lush album.” -Johnny Adams/ KNRY RADIO California
"...pure, swinging sounds ...simply wonderful listening." -Curt Yeske/ Trenton Times
“Delightful overtones of the golden age of jazz. A fine new CD featuring time-tested standards. McKenna is nothing less than a Philadelphia living legend on tenor sax. Smyser's artful playing fits perfectly with the understated perfection of McKenna" -Don Van Deusen/ Philadelphia Metro
“Oh my, my…artists at work. Everything in this recording is just absolutely superb. …a very fine album, …wonderful musicians, …smooth, …a great group.” -Dr. Jack Buerkle/ WRTI Temple Public Radio
“This quaint recording is unashamedly retro. …a sweet, swing-based style. …elegant, …velvet. A fireplace should be crackling nearby when you play this disc. A tuxedoed suaveness carries the day.” -Karl Stark/ Philadelphia Inquirer
PERSONNEL
Pete Smyser 7-string guitar
Larry McKenna tenor saxophone
Steve Beskrone upright bass
Mike DeMonte drums
The Scene is Clean (CAP944) (back to top)
TRACK LISTING /sound samples
PUBLISHED REVIEWS
“This guitarist has a defined palette of jazz that goes way beyond the `guitar only' crowd. The playing is directly in the pocket, distinct and clear. This is jazz guitar as witnessed during the best of the `30's, `40's and `50's. ...Herb Ellis meets Barney Kessel style… a hint of Jim Hall… Chopping Block (a Smyser tune) hints at the Benson/ Wes' sound while ever speaking to us from the originality of the composer himself. ...finger-style picking that comes close to Joe Pass mixed with Martin Taylor. Pete's playing shines here. No doubt we will be hearing more from Pete Smyser.” -Jazz Improv Magazine
“Refreshing! …most expressive! …technical brilliance! ...nothing but good, tasteful jazz! A delightful mixture of new music and a fresh look into the past. The title cut [The Scene is Clean] is a gem and reflects Smyser's maturity and creativity in painting a musical picture.” -Curt Yeske/ The Trenton Times
“A great player. His acoustic sounding guitar meshes well with the timbres of this large group, the homogeneity of which suggests real teamwork. Highlights include a beautiful arrangement of Bess, You is My Woman Now, a deliciously nostalgic Too Marvelous for words, and the Montgomery-influenced Chopping Block. As a project, The Scene is Clean marks a major move forward in Smyser's musical development.” -Just Jazz Guitar
PERSONNEL
Pete Smyser guitar
Ted Lis tenor & baritone saxophones
John Swana flugel horn
Paul Butler clarinet & bass clarinet
Jim Ridl piano
Darryl Hall upright bass
Byron Landham drums
Out of Nowhere (15887-2)This was my debut CD in 1996. It received regular airplay in the Philadelphia area and helped create a lot of new performance opportunities for me. The music is straight ahead jazz with a mix of original compositions and standards. (back to top)
TRACK LISTING /sound samples
PUBLISHED REVIEWS
“Smyser has a great tone, impeccable time and a seemingly natural flare for jazz improvisation. His lines are interesting, well developed and firmly in the bebop vernacular. Smyser's straight-ahead electric guitar playing is superb.” -Just Jazz Guitar Magazine
“Pete Smyser may have come Out of Nowhere with his debut CD, but one thing is for sure: He's here to stay. He displays a maturity and ease in his playing… reminiscent of the legendary Wes Montgomery.” -The Trenton Times
“There is something refreshingly warm in Smyser's fret work. Something actually human. And that's always the very best jazz offers at it's core.” -The Morning Call
“With the chops and confidence to open some ears, jazz guitarist Pete Smyser brings a sly sophistication to the structural integrity of standards that's equal parts feisty extroversion and playful fantasy.” -The Times Herald
Three and a half stars. “Swings without sounding like he's working hard. The playing is tight. Smyser is a good careful guitarist who shows promise as a composer. This jazz record should make the cut. It stands out from the rack.” -The Philadelphia Daily News
“Pete Smyser demonstrates that he is certainly more than able. Smyser plays long, well-paced bop-influenced lines that demonstrate ample technique but never lapse into showboating.” -Cadence Magazine
PERSONNEL
Pete Smyser guitar
John Swana trumpet and flugel horn
Bob Howell tenor and soprano saxophones
Darryl Hall upright bass
Byron Landham drums
