Vic Juris

**cosmic gumbo** · 03-27-2012, 09:21 PM

Vic's been on the scene for a long time, and he's definitely a master of modern jazz styles and modern guitar sounds. With his taste, I'm surprised he's not mentioned more often. He's worthy of more recognition than he gets.

**AlsoRan** · 03-27-2012, 09:32 PM

You're right. Nice stuff. And, his style of mixing in chords with single notes is something for me to learn from.

He seems to hold the last note from his single-note line, and then play a chord that includes that note. As a newbie, I have never noticed this before.

**marcwhy** · 03-28-2012, 12:50 AM

Vic's an awesome player! He has some nice instruction books, too, for those of you looking for more to study.

Here's a great recent album he's on: Groove Apparatus | Into the Labyrinth | CD Baby Highly recommended!

M

**Jazzpunk** · 03-28-2012, 02:34 AM

I wore out Vic's last record 'Listen Here'. Great player!

**kris** · 03-28-2012, 04:09 AM

I have Dave Liebman's CD with Vic on the guitar.Great comping guitar.

**randalljazz** · 03-28-2012, 04:58 AM

great player, made a number of interesting recordings over the years (e.g., the music of the brilliant and unjustly neglected alec wilder). nice fellow, too. posts sometimes on aaj.

**paynow** · 03-28-2012, 06:33 AM

I'm always singing his praises on here. A monster player and nice guy as well. Every guitar player should have these:

Amazon.com: Guitar World: All That Jazz: Artist Not Provided: Movies & TV

Amazon.com: Mel Bay presents Modern Chords: Advanced Harmony for Guitar (9780786671298): Vic Juris: Books

I'm working on "Modern Chords" currently.

Here's another I was not aware of:

Amazon.com: Mel Bay Vic Juris Inside/Outside (9780786653638): Vic Juris: Books

**JohnW400** · 03-28-2012, 09:09 AM

I have a ton of stuff by Vic. He's one of the best. I really like his Pastels CD and the Piano/guitar CD , Double Play.

Of course Songbook I and II are excellent as well.

I could never understand why he doesn't get more recognition. He's played with all kinds of people like Phil Woods, Jeanie Bryson and Dave Leibman.

**paynow** · 03-28-2012, 09:36 AM

I know he posts on the AAJ forum as "Vic J," so you can interact with him there.

JohnW400, you mentioned his approach to the dreaded "Phrygian chord" in this thread: Phrygian chord

I had read that too, over on AAJ, and went looking for it the other day. I love it because it was about 35 pages of discussion and he just came in with one quick line. Completely cuts through the BS in both his playing and teaching. A lot of humor in his teaching vid as well.

**Jake Hanlon** · 03-28-2012, 11:19 AM

Vic is my friend, although I wouldn't say that we're close friends but we've met on that bandstand where you really can know someone.

he's one of the warmest, humblest and knowledgable persons I know and that's even before he picks the guitar up... then shit gets crazy.

Buy his music, go to his concerts and take a lesson from him, seriously you're going to regret not doing it. Some people would be intimidated to call him but you should call him if you're in NJ or NY because he just really loves the music and wants to share it.

do it, do it now!!

**FatJeff** · 03-28-2012, 11:52 AM

I have one of his instructional DVDs and I love it. As a player, Vic kills.

**JohnW400** · 03-28-2012, 01:14 PM

I almost forgot...

He was in a guitar with Larry Coryell and Birelli back in the 80's. I have a cd of a live performance with Birelli but I don't think there is anything out there with Vic and Larry.

**paynow** · 03-28-2012, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Jake Hanlon

Vic is my friend, although I wouldn't say that we're close friends but we've met on that bandstand where you really can know someone.

he's one of the warmest, humblest and knowledgable persons I know and that's even before he picks the guitar up... then shit gets crazy.

Buy his music, go to his concerts and take a lesson from him, seriously you're going to regret not doing it. Some people would be intimidated to call him but you should call him if you're in NJ or NY because he just really loves the music and wants to share it.

do it, do it now!!

Definitely on my list Jake. I don't know what he charges but it will be worth every penny. Does anyone here know where he's based in NY Metro? I know he's from Jersey City but not sure where he gives lessons these days.

Here he is from back in 1998, playing with Joe Giglio, another great player who I used to see at jams way "back in the day":

**JohnW400** · 03-28-2012, 02:04 PM

Vic lives in West Orange. I think he used to have studio space in the city and that he teaches at the New School.

**srlank** · 03-28-2012, 03:17 PM

Thx for the reminder about Vic Juris and his music.......just looked on iTunes, and downloaded his version of Django.

**Jake Hanlon** · 03-28-2012, 04:13 PM

Vic does I believe have a place in NY that keeps to teach privately, but I mean West orange is the place he lives which to my understanding is not far from the city.

I cannot quote you his regular price, but it's a steal, I would pay twice as much as what he typically asks if I'm honest.

**paynow** · 03-28-2012, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Jake Hanlon

Vic does I believe have a place in NY that keeps to teach privately, but I mean West orange is the place he lives which to my understanding is not far from the city.

I cannot quote you his regular price, but it's a steal, I would pay twice as much as what he typically asks if I'm honest.

Appreciate the info Jake. West Orange is a bit far for me without a car, city is no problem.

**marcwhy** · 03-28-2012, 07:12 PM

He used to have an actual web site, but it's down .... I have an email from a few years ago, but I'm not sure if it's still good. I'll write him and check.

Jake, you know him -- do you have any current contact info that you could share?

Oh yeah, "Second Look" is another great album of his.

Thanks,
Marc

**marcwhy** · 03-28-2012, 11:20 PM

Update: I was able to reach Vic! He'll have a new web site coming up soon, and he will be offering Skype lessons for those of us not on the East Coast.

If anyone wants his email address, go ahead and send me a Private Message here, and I'll give it to you. [I'd rather not post it publicly here - I don't want Vic getting spammed!]

Thanks!

Marc

**Jake Hanlon** · 03-29-2012, 08:17 AM

yeah I wasn't going to put his email or phone number on an internet forum, he's not hard to get ahold of, if anyone serious about getting a lesson from Vic wants his contact information send me a pm

**mr. beaumont** · 03-29-2012, 09:05 AM

just to keep things going, his Eric Dolphy trib. disc smokes.

**Jake Hanlon** · 03-29-2012, 09:56 AM

all his stuff with Dave Liebman, the last album they did was all Ornette music, and it's ridiculously good, one of the best albums of 2011.

**NSJ** · 03-29-2012, 12:01 PM

I had previously emailed Vic about his book a couple of years ago, and he was very kind and gracious to reply, even saying to look him up if I ever visit NYC.

What a cool guy. And an even better musician.

The best show I have seen in recent history was the Lieb with Vic at the Green Mill. They were ABSOLUTELY SMOKING!

I was there with several persons, including a European classical musician (pianist and harpsichordist) who is getting her doctorate in Baroque music--an outstanding musician in her own right.

But, after a bit, the Lieb's set proved to be too intense for her--she kept mumbling, "This is too intense. Where is the functional harmony?"