In this very special issue of the Fretboard Journal, Bill Frisell interviews jazz-guitar legend Jim Hall. Need we say more? We needn’t, but we will: Other highlights include profiles of luthiers Wayne Henderson and John Monteleone, a look at the legendary Telluride Bluegrass Festival as it turns 35, reviving The Stooges’ Les Paul Custom and much, much more…
For our cover story, Journal favorite Bill Frisell sat down with his former teacher, the legendary Jim Hall, for a most educational conversations. Frisell’s daughter Monica captured some fantastic images from the meeting. The complete interview is online, here.
Clapton’s Guitar author Allen St. John revisits Wayne Henderson, the exclusive flattop guitar builder (and performer) from Rugby, Virginia, to see how life has changed for the luthier since the book was published. Photos abound of Henderson in his tiny workshop; he also shows off his personal guitar, the stunning Henderson #400.
Contributor John Thomas takes us inside the New York workshop of John Monteleone, arguably the world’s greatest living archtop builder. Monteleone tells us about the influence of the Art Deco movement on his guitars and mandolins, describes his interactions with fellow building greats Mario Maccaferri and Jimmy D’Aquisto and shows off some of the innovations he’s put into his recent instruments.
Editor Marc Greilsamer teams up with photographer Tim Benko to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the legendary Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Included are stunning, behind-the-scenes photographs of the festival over the years (including rare shots of Bill Monroe, John Hartford and Hot Rize), interviews with key Telluride players (including Sam Bush, Drew Emmitt, Tim O’Brien and Jerry Douglas) and much more.
Nashville “A-Team” session legend Fred Carter, Jr. has led a career most of us can only dream of. You’ve heard him on hits by Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters and even on Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Boxer.” But, as he tells writer Rich Kienzle, it hasn’t always been easy.
In 1972, James Williamson found himself taking over the guitar duties for the legendary proto-punk band the Stooges. Derek See interviews Williamson about his guitar work on the famed Raw Power album, the Gibson Les Paul Special he used on that recording and his current love (slack-key guitar).
