Ike Isaacs - British guitarist, "a musician's musician"

[Jazzgtr335]

I can't believe there is no mention or discussion of Ike Isaacs on this forum. Well, here is an introduction to his playing:

[rrbasic]

There seems to be quite a few UK musicians that don’t receive the recognition they deserve. That's probably true of musicians everywhere.
Thanks for posting this.

[Rob MacKillop]

He's well-known in the UK, and was a great influence on Martin Taylor. His method book is excellent.

[deacon Mark]

He played a Barker guitar that he later gave to Martin Taylor. My dad's Barker I have is number 8 made in 1965 and Martin's is number 9. They were both offered to my dad new by Barker and my dad said that number 8 he got was better. When I met Martin he was so excited to see his guitar's sister. He has impressed. Issacs was a fine player goes long back.

[PMB]

He's well-known in the UK, and was a great influence on Martin Taylor. His method book is excellent.

Ike also made a big impression in Australia after moving here to Sydney for his final years (1981-1996).

[wintermoon]

I think this pic was taken @ Cedric West's house and pretty sure those are Cedric's L-5 and L-7

[GuyBoden]

I remember his Gypsy Jazz style of playing with Diz Disley.

His "Jazz guitar school" book (1980's?) can still be seen here: Guitar School Ike Isaacs | PDF

[Jazzgtr335]

There seems to be quite a few UK musicians that don’t receive the recognition they deserve. That's probably true of musicians everywhere.

Thanks for posting this.

Yes, I agree. It's nice to be able to bring Ike to folk's attention here with this video though. The tape was a very lucky find.

[Jabberwocky]

There seems to be quite a few UK musicians that don’t receive the recognition they deserve. That's probably true of musicians everywhere.
Thanks for posting this.

Ike Isaacs was, inarguably, the best Burmese jazz guitarist. His Jazz Guitar School is excellent; I bought two copies off ebay.

[setemupjoe]

I took a lesson with Ike in the early 80’s when he first moved to Australia. My teacher at the time, Bruce Clarke, was helping him make connections and get settled.

[GuyBoden]

I remember his Gypsy Jazz style of playing with Diz Disley.

[Irishmuso]

[QUOTE=Jazzgtr335;1429007]I can't believe there is no mention or discussion of Ike Isaacs on this forum. Well, here is an introduction to his playing:

I've been working through his Guitar Moods (Chord Concepts) book from 1972 and really enjoying the arrangements and ideas. There is a chordal approach that runs through the various arrangements which is very effective.

[daveg]

I visited him once and spent a little time in that room shown in the pic before going on to see "The Great Guitars" in concert.

He was a lovely man and brought out a few of his guitars for me to try. Two of the memorable ones were a Gibson JS and his D'Angelico. I remember that the DA was the finest guitar I have ever held and played. His L7 was on display but I was not offered the opportunity to go near it! I asked him who, of the many guitarists he had entertained in that room, he would like to have back again. Without hesitation, he said Wes.

After the concert he introduced me to Barney and Herb and they autographed my ticket for the concert.

DG

[setemupjoe]

Here's the book I got from him when I met him in Australia back in the 80's. Just lots of various ideas and concepts to work on. Not sure if this book is still around.