Similar Artists:
Influenced By:
John Coltrane,
Sonny Rollins,
John McLaughlin,
Pat Martino,
Barney Kessel,
Jim Hall,
Tal Farlow,
Bill Evans,
Larry Coryell,
George Benson
Followers:
Performed Songs By:
Adam Nussbaum,
George Marsh,
Jeff Palmer,
Dan Wall,
Bob Mintzer,
Vince Mendoza,
Andy LaVerne,
Marc Johnson,
Jan Hammer,
Peter Erskine,
Richie Beirach
Worked With:
- Born: December 16, 1944, Port Chester, NY
- Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, 2000s
- Genres: Jazz
- Instrument: Guitar, Guitar (Electric)
- Representative Albums: "Timeless," "Timelines," "Three Guitars"
- Representative Songs: "Ralph's Piano Waltz," "Lungs," "Remembering"
Biography
John Abercrombie's tying together of jazz's many threads made him one of the most influential acoustic and electric guitarists of the 1970s and early '80s; his recordings for ECM have helped define that label's progressive chamber jazz reputation. His star has since faded somewhat, due largely to the general conservatism that's come to dominate jazz, though he has remained a vital creative personality. Abercrombie's style draws upon all manner of contemporary improvised music; his style is essentially jazz-based, but he also displays a more-than-passing familiarity with forms that range from folk and rock to Eastern and Western art musics.Abercrombie attended Boston's Berklee College of Music from 1962 to 1966. While at Berklee, the guitarist toured with bluesman Johnny Hammond. After relocating to New York in 1969, Abercrombie spent time in groups led by drummers Chico Hamilton and Billy Cobham. It was with the latter's Spectrum group that Abercrombie first received widespread attention. Abercrombie's first album as leader was Timeless, a trio album with drummer Jack DeJohnette and keyboardist Jan Hammer. That was followed by Gateway, another trio with DeJohnette and bassist Dave Holland replacing Hammer. Abercrombie's subtle and lyrical style is heard to best effect in small, intimate settings, with the recurring Gateway trio or as captured in duos with fellow guitarist Ralph Towner.
Abercrombie continued to be active as the 21st century opened, releasing Cat 'n' Mouse in 2002, Class Trip in 2004, A Nice Idea (with pianist Andy LaVerne) in 2005, Structures (recorded with a single microphone) in 2006, and Third Quartet in 2007.
