Another Barney Kessel Clip - Heart-Core - For Sandra Lester

[jzucker]

Heart-Core (for Sandra Lester) - Gibson Barney Kessel


This is an original composition of mine. Influenced by recent spinal surgery and personal victories, but most importantly, my love for Sandra Lester


I'm playing a 60 year old Gibson Barney Kessel, through a Helix Stomp preamp, using the grammatico amplifier, EV12L cab.


The joy is coming back to me today along with the love of my life who is always there for me. Always in my corner, always by my side, through thick and thin.


Compositionally, this song is influenced by Pat Metheny, Ron Miller, Ritchie Bierach, Marc Copeland, Herbie Hancock.


I greatly appreciate all the love I feel from friends and fans for putting up with my mood swings and struggles with mental health.


Much love and respect...


-Jaz

[John A.]

Nice tune and playing, Jack. Not listed among your inspiration, but it strikes me as sounding a bit in style of Steve Masakowski (very much a good thing, IMO).

[jzucker]

Nice tune and playing, Jack. Not listed among your inspiration, but it strikes me as sounding a bit in style of Steve Masakowski (very much a good thing, IMO).

Thanks, i never copied him but a while back I saw him play and noticed that he and I both use hybrid picking for 4ths and other arpeggios! Thanks for listening!

[Max405]

Jack,
It’s been a pleasure, watching you grow and enjoying your immense talent.
Your abilities stretch waay beyond hobbiest levels. There is no limit to what you can do.
We’ve been through a lot together here on the forum. I am grateful for a conversation we once had, offline, where I got to really understand and know the real you.
You’ve been great man. Forget the comparisons to the great players. You have become the best version of you.
Both from a playing and personal perspective.
I am certain, the spirit of your great Dad has helped you persevere.
It is a real treat seeing you in this great place in your life.
I like the cat behind the shades!
Joe D

[lawson-stone]

Jack-nothing is more authentically and truly "jazz" than a musician processing pain and struggles through musical expression. The great ones like Bird had their pain and conflict, and it came through in the music. Miles' anger... what would his music be without it? While pain is not to be sought after, of course, you are putting your pain and struggles to great and beneficial use by processing it into music. That's just.... deep. You're doing some deep work here, and we are all privileged to walk a few steps of the path with you, and I'm personally strengthened by your music and, it might sound corny, but by your example. Thanks.

[jzucker]

Jack,
It’s been a pleasure, watching you grow and enjoying your immense talent.
Your abilities stretch waay beyond hobbiest levels. There is no limit to what you can do.
We’ve been through a lot together here on the forum. I am grateful for a conversation we once had, offline, where I got to really understand and know the real you.
You’ve been great man. Forget the comparisons to the great players. You have become the best version of you.
Both from a playing and personal perspective.
I am certain, the spirit of your great Dad has helped you persevere.
It is a real treat seeing you in this great place in your life.
I like the cat behind the shades!
Joe D

Thanks Joe,

Your friendship and support mean the world to me. And yes, my dad's spirit lives within me. I don't know if you knew that after he passed, I switched to bass for over 2 years to honor him. However, in the end - I realized that he wouldn't want me to do that. He would want me to be who he knew me to be - A guitarist. And so, I hope he is upstairs - watching me - and rooting for me to lift myself above the depression I periodically struggle with.

It's such a blessing to have friends in my corner. I tell my friends that no matter what they do, I will always love them, always be in their corner, always be by their side. And I feel you you and the folks on this forum have done that for me.

Jack-nothing is more authentically and truly "jazz" than a musician processing pain and struggles through musical expression. The great ones like Bird had their pain and conflict, and it came through in the music. Miles' anger... what would his music be without it? While pain is not to be sought after, of course, you are putting your pain and struggles to great and beneficial use by processing it into music. That's just.... deep. You're doing some deep work here, and we are all privileged to walk a few steps of the path with you, and I'm personally strengthened by your music and, it might sound corny, but by your example. Thanks.

Lawson, your words me so much to me. The one thing that guys like Bird could do is to rise above their struggles when they play and just have the music come straight from their heart and soul. I feel that when I'm struggling, my mind and therefore - my playing - are cloudy. I just hope I can one day channel that into the purity of the music, unencumbered by personal struggles.

Thanks so much for your support.

[Archie]

Jaz, always look forward to hearing your compositions.

One of the great things about your style, is you have to know a fair bit about jazz theory, to understand the complexity of what you do but at the same time, you don't have to have to know anything to enjoy your music.

A lot of jazz musicians struggle to pull that off.

You have a great talent.

[jzucker]

Jaz, always look forward to hearing your compositions.

One of the great things about your style, is you have to know a fair bit about jazz theory, to understand the complexity of what you do but at the same time, you don't have to have to know anything to enjoy your music.

A lot of jazz musicians struggle to pull that off.

You have a great talent.

Thanks. Quite a compliment and I feel humbled to read that. I really appreciate the kindness and support from this forum.

[ccroft]

Nothing to add to what's been said. Just wanted to say I like this thread, to strengthen all my like-button hits a couple of notches.

[DawgBone]

Jack you are a soldier brother. I can only imagine what has gone on in your life facing the medical stuff you had to deal with. I would readily admit I would not have had as positive of an attitude towards it as you have and I sure as hell wouldn't be posting regular videos if I had, that's too much work! And here you are posting great video after great video for us to enjoy and enjoy it I do. I think I might nick name you iron man Jack Zucker for coming off the operating table right back to doing what you love.

Very smooth lines. Joyful phrasing. And quite clean playing I might add. That Kessel is still holding the number one spot in my head for my favorite Jack Zucker tone. I will say I am looking forward to hearing you do a barn burner one of these days if you get around to it!

Just keep focusing on your picking, your health, and your family. Sometimes when I get down I think about my boy and how he needs me around. He's 20 and just getting started in life with his first real job. TBH it's changed my view on a lot. I used to be a more selfish guy, more concerned about what was going on in my own head but I know he needs my advice and guidance and my wife needs my strength and support to help keep us afloat so that's number one now. Being needed is a good thing and it's pretty clear you are surrounded by good people who need you to so keep being blessed brother and I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Just remember when you get down and out and have the blues:

Psalm 34-18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Best-dawgbone

[jzucker]

Jack you are a soldier brother. I can only imagine what has gone on in your life facing the medical stuff you had to deal with. I would readily admit I would not have had as positive of an attitude towards it as you have and I sure as hell wouldn't be posting regular videos if I had, that's too much work! And here you are posting great video after great video for us to enjoy and enjoy it I do. I think I might nick name you iron man Jack Zucker for coming off the operating table right back to doing what you love.

Very smooth lines. Joyful phrasing. And quite clean playing I might add. That Kessel is still holding the number one spot in my head for my favorite Jack Zucker tone. I will say I am looking forward to hearing you do a barn burner one of these days if you get around to it!

Just keep focusing on your picking, your health, and your family. Sometimes when I get down I think about my boy and how he needs me around. He's 20 and just getting started in life with his first real job. TBH it's changed my view on a lot. I used to be a more selfish guy, more concerned about what was going on in my own head but I know he needs my advice and guidance and my wife needs my strength and support to help keep us afloat so that's number one now. Being needed is a good thing and it's pretty clear you are surrounded by good people who need you to so keep being blessed brother and I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Just remember when you get down and out and have the blues:

Psalm 34-18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Best-dawgbone

Thanks for all the kind words and the biblical inspiration. And yes, thinking of our children is a good way to take the focus away from us. In my situation, my kids are 34 and 37 and both married with their own lives and careers so I don't talk to them as much as I used to. Also , losing my father curing covid still weighs upon me since I wasn't able to be with him when he passed. And that's a heavy burden to bear even though I know he wouldn't want me thinking like that...

But I have so many friends and people rooting for me that it helps lift me up and gives me hope that I can power through this.