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Jazz guitarist Klugh knows the value of variety
Earl Klugh
Koch Records
Admission: Free
Where: Hartwood Acres, Indiana Township
Details: 412-767-9200
Bob Karlovits can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7852.
"It's unfortunate being called a 'smooth' player," he says, "But that's OK. I know who I am."
Who he is, of course, is a guitarist who has been performing for more than three decades, has been nominated for 11 Grammy awards and had four albums reach No. 1 on the Billboard jazz chart.
He will perform Sunday at a free concert at Hartwood Acres in Indiana Township.
"Naturally, there is a strong acoustic feeling, but my bands have different instrumentations, and so that sound gets different," he says.
At this date, he will be in a sextet with bassist Al Turner, drummer Ron Otis, saxophonist Lennie Price, keyboardist/trombonist Al Duncan and keyboardist David Lee.
For his fans, that should provide some of the difference Klugh mentions. In his prior appearance here in 2007, he performed with two other guitarists and no rhythm section in a show at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild in the North Side.
The career of the Detroit native, who will turn 54 in September, has been built around quiet, acoustic jazz. He started to draw attention on George Benson's "White Rabbit" album in 1971, played briefly with Return to Forever in 1974 and then started to release his own projects in the mid-'70s.
He and keyboardist Bob James shared a popular duet album, "Two of a Kind," in 1982 that, in many ways, defines Klugh's crossover pop-jazz style.
That approach continues today and shows up clearly on his current release, "The Spice of Life." That album also displays his variety with songs ranging from originals to a tasty version of Thelonious Monk's "Bye Ya."
The album has the feeling of some of the pop-tinged albums of guitar great Wes Montgomery -- and there is a reason for that. It features arrangements by Don Sebesky, who gave the Montgomery albums a distinct sound.
"I met Don when I was working with George Benson in 1971," he says of the "White Rabbit" project. "When I started working on ('The Spice of Life'), I thought he would be the best guy for the arrangements."
The result is a gentle music that earned Montgomery criticism and a new breed of fan. It also is another look at Klugh.
"I try to play with as much variety as I can," he says.
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