Dan Wilson - Emmet Cohen - If I Should Lose You

**Groyniad** · 01-06-2026, 03:25 PM

i think emmet sulks here for the first couple of times through after dan lays it out! or else he feels that he has to give people a bit of time to get over the vibe.

what a treat to see this! dan wilson is an inspiration!

**Christian Miller** · 01-06-2026, 03:35 PM

Dans so great

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**Groyniad** · 01-07-2026, 07:37 AM

thank god i did all that work on 'benson picking'.... ??!!

you can see him listening!

i really haven't seen emmet on the back foot like this (obviously he gets over it - but....)

**GuyBoden** · 01-07-2026, 08:03 AM

This is truly excellent guitar playing, he has such an incredible driving groove.

**John A.** · 01-07-2026, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Groyniad

i think emmet sulks here for the first couple of times through after dan lays it out! or else he feels that he has to give people a bit of time to get over the vibe.

what a treat to see this! dan wilson is an inspiration!

I don’t see that at all. First, it’s common (even typical) for a soloist to reset the energy level at the hand-off. Second, I get a clear sense of Cohen trying to reflect/repeat some of Wilson’s motifs and the way Wilson incorporated references to the head in the overall shape of his solo. The effect I perceive is connection and cooperation between them in a unified performance, not competition or insecurity in separate ones.

**sgosnell** · 01-07-2026, 08:14 PM

From what little I've seen and heard, they appear to be good friends who respect each other. Dan came very close to winning the Wes Montgomery guitar competition which Grasso won. He can play.

**jbromusic** · 01-07-2026, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Groyniad

i really haven't seen emmet on the back foot like this (obviously he gets over it - but....)

Gets over what?

**ragman1** · 01-08-2026, 07:46 AM

I don't think they're coordinating at all. Two different planets.

**kris** · 01-08-2026, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by John A.

I don’t see that at all. First, it’s common (even typical) for a soloist to reset the energy level at the hand-off. Second, I get a clear sense of Cohen trying to reflect/repeat some of Wilson’s motifs and the way Wilson incorporated references to the head in the overall shape of his solo. The effect I perceive is connection and cooperation between them in a unified performance, not competition or insecurity in separate ones.

+1
I have a similar opinion about this playing.
Both musicians play at a very high level.
Jazzingly
Kris

**James W** · 01-08-2026, 09:15 AM

Sounds awesome.

**GuyBoden** · 01-08-2026, 10:26 AM

The black Pat Martino signature Benedetto sounds great and looks great too.

Black Pat Martino | Benedetto Guitars

Looks very similar to a black Gibson Les Paul. I believe, Pat Martino played a Les Paul in his early days.

**Christian Miller** · 01-08-2026, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

From what little I've seen and heard, they appear to be good friends who respect each other. Dan came very close to winning the Wes Montgomery guitar competition which Grasso won. He can play.

Wasn’t he like 7th? I have no idea why he placed so low.

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**sgosnell** · 01-08-2026, 09:28 PM

I don't really remember the final placings. If I had been a judge I would have placed Wilson ahead of Grasso, but no one bothered to consult me.

I do find it slightly interesting that Grasso immediately sold the prize, a Benedetto guitar, while Wilson embraced the brand.

**SOLR** · 01-08-2026, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Christian Miller

Wasn’t he like 7th? I have no idea why he placed so low.

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FWIW he placed 4rth out of 5 and Pat Martino was one of the judges...

S

**ragman1** · 01-09-2026, 01:28 AM

Grasso played harder and faster than the others but I saw clever technique not music. After a while I just felt exhausted. I enjoyed most of the others a lot more. So if big prizes mean technique then I think it's music's loss, personally.

**Strat-itis** · 01-09-2026, 03:13 AM

^ I was getting ready to rebuke you for criticizing advanced playing but after watching the video I agree. PG is just displaying technique for technique's sake truly at the expense of the music. I liked Dan the best and then Roland.

**Strat-itis** · 01-09-2026, 03:16 AM

Originally Posted by Groyniad

i think emmet sulks here for the first couple of times through after dan lays it out! or else he feels that he has to give people a bit of time to get over the vibe.

He's clearly not. He's purposely starting at low intensity for a contrast.

Originally Posted by ragman1

I don't think they're coordinating at all. Two different planets.

It's incredible playing. Maybe a tad on the loose side but obviously killing. Like anyone here is in the position to criticize this.

**Christian Miller** · 01-09-2026, 05:01 AM

Originally Posted by SOLR

FWIW he placed 4rth out of 5 and Pat Martino was one of the judges...

S

I think it goes to show that competitions shouldn’t be taken too seriously. PG’s playing is so ridiculously virtuoso it’s always going to cut through in that situation.

If I’ve learned anything over the years it’s that people notice you more when you play fast. It’s silly, but true. No-one is immune.

Feel and skill in ensemble playing get you booked in the long term though.

All the top five players are excellent, but we know PG and Dan because of the what they’ve built as players within the jazz community.

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**kris** · 01-09-2026, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by Christian Miller

I think it goes to show that competitions shouldn’t be taken too seriously. PG’s playing is so ridiculously virtuoso it’s always going to cut through in that situation.

If I’ve learned anything over the years it’s that people notice you more when you play fast. It’s silly, but true. Feel and ensemble playing get you booked in the long term though.

All the top five players are excellent, but we know PG and Dan because of the what they’ve built as players within the jazz community.

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I agree.
PG is a guitar virtuoso and plays beautiful be-bop phrases.
Technique is necessary for such playing.
'All the top five players are excellent"-Of course.
Jazz or classical music competitions always cause a lot of emotions.
The award is a good start to your future career.