Generation Ibanez Project
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7-String Guitar Extravaganza
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Good compilation concepts are hard to come by (especially since Rhino Records thought of most of them already) but a new CD entitled Across The Miles by The Generation Ibanez Project is one of the few that succeeds on several levels. The CD contains 14 tracks of high-tech guitar playing from eight guitarists and bands (Eric Sands, Rusty Cooley, Backstab, Ken Burtch, Eric Nelson, Steve Stavropoulos, Adam Fox, Matt Brabender) from three countries (Australia, France, USA). Each track was recorded with an Ibanez guitar or guitars (mainly 7-string models), which is the stylistic glue that holds the compilation together. Intense, propulsive guitar-oriented music dominates the CD, especially "Dominion" by Rusty Cooley, "Moe" by Eric Sands, "Threshold" by Steve Stavropoulos and "Release" by Eric Nelson. What's amazing about this release is that the details and decisions about the project were made solely by e-mail--none of the participants have yet met face to face! Regardless, the project stands on it's own as a testament to creativity, ingenuity and musicality.
The Generation Ibanez Project originated in the minds of a few guitarists and webmasters exchanging ideas via Internet e-mail. The concept was a musical collaboration on a professional CD to entice guitarists worldwide--while paying homage to the Ibanez guitars that inspire these musicians. Permission was granted by Hoshino, USA for the use of their "Ibanez" trademark and logo. An avalanche of international responses to the project led to the selection process, which reduced the final submissions to professionally recorded songs performed with an Ibanez guitar, preferably the JEM or 7-string Universe.
A portion of the proceeds from the sales of Across The Miles will go to Steve Vai's charity, the "Make a Noise Foundation", a non-profit charitable organization, "providing musical instruments, education and culture to you musicians who cannot afford to do these things for themselves."
Contact Information
The Generation Ibanez Project
P.O. Box 907
Alpharetta, GA 30009-0907
United States
Web site:
www.jemsite.com
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Tobias Hurwitz
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Funk & Jazz Meet Heavy Instrumental Rock
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Painted Sky is the 1997 CD release from Maryland-based guitarist Tobias Hurwitz that sports a combination of funk, jazz, heavy rock, and blues on nine instrumental tracks and one vocal number ("I'm Your Machine"). In addition to the inventive original numbers, Hurwitz checks in with some strong cover tracks, including a hard-edged, howling, instrumental version of Deep Purple's "Space Truckin'," George Clinton and P-Funk's "Maggot Brain" (with frenetic, improvised soloing) and a two-minute Bach piece ("Invention #8") with the dual guitars of Hurwitz and fellow G.I.T. alumnus Glenn Riley. Painted Sky serves up Hurwitz' guitar talent on a silver platter, as he undercuts some of his harder edges with subtle jazz touches, and takes full advantage of dynamics, drawing on over 20 years of playing experience.
Tobias began playing guitar in 1977 at the age of 14, and it was love at first touch, as he has not put the instrument down since. In 1987, Tobias graduated from the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood. He was named "Best Guitarist In The Mid-Atlantic" by the "Music Monthly" readers poll in 1996 and "Baltimore's Best Guitar Teacher" by "The City Paper" in 1994. He is the author of "Learn How To Transcribe For Guitar", published by the National Guitar Workshop and marketed internationally by Alfred Publications. Tobias is also a contributing writer for "Guitar Magazine" and "Guitar One Magazine". He currently works as an instructor at the National Guitar Workshop and fronts the Tobias Hurwitz Band. Tobias also endorses Ernie Ball strings and Paul Reed Smith guitars.
Hurwitz' goals for the future include continuing to improve his skills on the guitar and sharing his knowledge of music with others.
Contact Information
Tobias Hurwitz
35 Gilland Court
Perry Hall, MD 21236
United States
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