Chris Flory - Tuition Videos and More

[Rob MacKillop]

[Rob MacKillop]

On playing with Benny Goodman:

Worth investing in the course, I'd say. Great sound, great phrasing. Just great!

[Rob MacKillop]

Links to the two courses:

In The Style Of Chris Flory, Vol.1 | DC Music School

In The Style Of Chris Flory, Vol.2 | DC Music School

[grahambop]

His account of being told by Benny Goodman to get a more crisp/acoustic sounding guitar is very interesting. I saw Chris Flory with Benny and Scott Hamilton on that European tour in 1982. Even though it was a big open air gig, Benny made the organisers turn all the mics off, so his performance was virtually all-acoustic (I assume Chris still had his amp on though). The people at the back weren’t very happy, but I was right at the front and it sounded magical, quite an intimate sound. So maybe Benny was trying to get a more natural sound, like it was before the days of big PA systems.

Anyway I’m glad I heard Benny sounding like that, will never forget it!

[Rob MacKillop]

Lucky you, Graham! A magical memory.

[grahambop]

By the way I googled and found this shot of Chris and Benny, pretty sure this is the same concert I saw (Knebworth 1982), the trees behind the stage give it away.

[David B]

I've just this afternoon been listening to Chris Flory's appearance on Judy Carmichael's radio show/podcast Jazz Inspired. Link to the Chris Flory episode: Chris Flory — Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired

[David B]

Found another shot from the Knebworth show Graham.

[David B]

Two more from Knebworth '82.

[grahambop]

Two more from Knebworth '82.

Somewhere in that sea of faces is me...

[SandChannel]

Thanks, Rob MacKillop! That was an immediate order for me.

[Rob MacKillop]

He used to be babysitter for Gil Evans' daughters...and seemed to spend all his time copying Gil's record collection.

[grahambop]

Apparently he had a couple of lessons with Tiny Grimes, interesting link back to Charlie Parker.

[SandChannel]

Apparently he had a couple of lessons with Tiny Grimes, interesting link back to Charlie Parker.

After that, he took lessons with Carl Thompson who played in duos with Jim Hall.

[grahambop]

Well I’m now on a Chris Flory kick, just purchased For You, nice bluesy organ trio stuff:

[grahambop]

Here’s Chris Flory getting a featured spot with Benny Goodman in 1982 (go to 26 mins 30 sec). This was just around the time I saw him with Benny on their European tour.

[WillMbCdn5]

If you have a Smalls Live subscription there are some fantastic vids in the archive of him playing live at Smalls with Larry Ham(piano) , Lee Hudson ( bass) and Tom Melito ( drums) as well as some vids of performances with Joe Cohn. Which was my whole reason for subscribing to Smalls I have both of the tuition vids mentioned but the live stuff at Smalls is well worth the monthly subscription if you have the interest and patience to work out what he is doing live. Ok!!!!!!!!! I am a big Chris Flory fan))


I am a bit surprised those lesson vids could just be posted here and are not more protected

Will

[WillMbCdn5]

Always loved this tune by Chris. I believe he considers it one of signature pieces. I learned it from this vid. All the essential Flory touches and moves in one place

cheers
Will

[grahambop]

There’s also a nice version of that tune on the album I just got:

[grahambop]

Looking for more stuff featuring Chris Flory, I came across this interesting album ‘Almost Modern’ by sax and clarinet player Dan Block, on which Chris plays guitar on most tracks. Jon-Erik Kellso (of the Earregulars) is on trumpet. It’s a neat idea, exploring the music that evolved in the transition from swing to bop. Great ‘period’ album cover too!

Here’s a sample, one of those old Dexter Gordon tunes:

[ragman1]

Hi, Graham, that was good, enjoyed that!

I just opened your photos for the first time. Very nice. Great miscellaneous pig :-)

I have to say I'm intimately acquainted with 99 % of all the Sussex ones, been to Batemans and Nymans, etc, etc. Not East Grinstead, though. Would it be rude to ask where you're based?

Nice ones of Ella Fitzgerald too.

[grahambop]

Thanks, yes I live in Sussex. Nearest big place is probably Crawley.

[joelf]

Looking for more stuff featuring Chris Flory, I came across this interesting album ‘Almost Modern’ by sax and clarinet player Dan Block, on which Chris plays guitar on most tracks. Jon-Erik Kellso (of the Earregulars) is on trumpet. It’s a neat idea, exploring the music that evolved in the transition from swing to bop. Great ‘period’ album cover too!

Here’s a sample, one of those old Dexter Gordon tunes:

Known both forever, great players and guys. Chris's time and swing are sick good, and Dan is one of the great jazz clarinetists. Thanks!

[customxke]

It's a '48 L7

[Rob MacKillop]

I love his playing. No affectation, no showboating, no too-clever harmonic daliances, just great swing playing with heart and soul. What's not to like?