Jazz Guitar Licks : Emily Remler

There are not a lot of female jazz guitarists.  Emily Remler was one of them, but unfortunately she died much too soon after a heart attack at the age of 32.

Emily Remler's main influence was, like many other jazz guitarists, Wes Montgomery.

Between 1974 and 1976 Emily studied at Berklee where she graduated at the age of 18.

In 1980 she recorded her first album : 'Firefly'.  She was only 24 when she recorded this album, but listening to her playing you would think she had a lot more experience behind her.Following this album she played with a lot of well known players like Monty Alexander and Larry Coryell, with whom she recorded a duo album.

Recommended listening: 'Catwalk'

II V I Lick

1)  The first bar of this lick uses a D major 7 arpeggio which is a common substitute for Bm7.  Playing a Dmaj7 arpeggio instead of a Bm7 arpeggio gives us a richer sound because of the 9 (c#, the 7 of Dmaj7).

The rest of the lick Emily uses a rhythmic idea which she transposes harmonically.

Emily Remler played this lick on 'How Insensitive' in duet with Larry Coryell.  You can find this song on 'Retrospective, Vol. 1: Standards'.