Frank Vignola's Guitar Night, an ongoing concert and livestream series

[David B]

There's the occasional post here on the forum about Frank Vignola's weekly Guitar Night series at the Birdland Theater in NYC. The shows are live-streamed on YouTube for free and most shows remain available on the channel.

I thought it might be useful to have one thread to collate performances and discussion as we go.

Here's last week's (22 November) show with guest Chris Flory.
With Ted Rosenthal (piano), Gary Mazzaroppi (bass), Vince Cherico (drums)s

[David B]

29 November 2023, with guests Pasquale Grasso and Jimmy Bruno.

[sgosnell]

Tonight Pasquale has a less than mint Gibson with a guitar mike instead of his usual Trenier. Jimmy has has signature Sadowsky, Frank with the Eastman Pisano AR480. Cooking as usual. I liked both nights with Chris Flory.

Grasso with the Gibson and a Vintage47 amp sounds exactly the same as he does with his Treniers.

[AllanAllen]

Chris Flory was a nice discovery for me. Never heard of him before he came on. Looking forward to watching yesterdays recording.

[AllanAllen]

Anyone here been to Guitar Night? I wonder if it's just an hour set or are there other sets they don't stream?

[sgosnell]

It's an hour and a half, and AFAIK it's just the one set.

[Bflat233]

I've caught two shows in live and both were ~90 minutes. It's great to be in the room, but YouTube viewers aren't missing any off-camera moments as the video starts rolling before they take the stage and stops only after they've left. Frank has something really important going at Birdland as it relates to traditional jazz music and jazz guitar. In addition to Pasquale Grasso and Jimmy Bruno, he's had Mike Stern, Dave Stryker, Sheryl Bailey, Mark Whitfield, Ed Cherry, Peter Bernstein ... and many others. It's definitely worth adjusting one's travel plans if you are within range to support him. Streaming the live show helps show support, too.

[sgosnell]

Birdland tried to monetize the shows for awhile, making it pay to view, but apparently didn't make enough money to make it worthwhile, and started the free streaming again. Making money with jazz music is difficult at best.

[David B]

6 December 2023.
Tonight's guest is Olli Soikkeli.
With Frank Vignola, Ted Rosenthal (p), Garry Mazzaroppi (b) and Vince Cherico (d).

[David B]

13 December 2023.
Pasquale Grasso (filling it at the last minute for Ed Cherry)
With Frank Vignola, Ted Rosenthal (p), Garry Mazzaroppi (b) and Vince Cherico (d).

[David B]

20 December 2023.
Guest: Karrin Allyson
With Frank Vignola (guitar), Ted Rosenthal (piano), Gary Mazzaroppi (bass), Vince Cherico (drums)

[David B]

27 December 2023.
Tonight's guest is Mike Stern.
With Frank Vignola, Ted Rosenthal, Gary Mazzaroppi and Alex Raderman.

[Bop Head]

27 December 2023.
Tonight's guest is Mike Stern.
With Frank Vignola, Ted Rosenthal, Gary Mazzaroppi and Alex Raderman.

Mike is a modern player I really like to listen to (much more than e.g. Scofield or Metheny) but it is a pity that his sound is always so overloaded with FX that it puts him in the background and makes him sound indirect. Which works nicely for comping but not so well for soloing.

Anyway, thanks David for reminding us of new episodes.

[Doug B]

Mike is a modern player I really like to listen to (much more than e.g. Scofield or Metheny) but it is a pity that his sound is always so overloaded with FX that it puts him in the background and makes him sound indirect. Which works nicely for comping but not so well for soloing.

Anyway, thanks David for reminding us of new episodes.

I do think that Frank V and the rest of the band have a more traditional sound and help modify Mike Stern's chorus craziness and makes him sound better. Like many folks I like what Mike plays, but I can't for the life of me think why he leans so heavily on that chorusy sound. He really does not need it.

[RJVB]

27 December 2023.
Tonight's guest is Mike Stern.
With Frank Vignola, Ted Rosenthal, Gary Mazzaroppi and Alex Raderman.

Does this recording have a number of bad cuts (right in the beginning already) or is YT acting up for me?

[David B]

Does this recording have a number of bad cuts (right in the beginning already) or is YT acting up for me?

I watched it live on YouTube and there were some streaming issues in the first 30 minutes or so. I believe the cuts/jumps are where servers had to be switched. It did settle down.

[David B]

3 January 2024.
Tonight's guest is vocalist Janice Siegel. Mike Stern, originally billed, had to cancel due to illness.
With Frank Vignola, Ted Rosenthal, Gary Mazzaroppi and Alex Raderman.
Starts 8.30pm NYC time.

[David B]

The advertised line-up of guests for the rest of January and February is:Jan 10 - Pasquale Grasso Trio with Janice Siegel (vocals)
Jan 10 - Pasquale Grasso Trio with Janice Siegel (vocals)
Jan 17 - Jocelyn Gould (guitar)
Jan 24 - Janis Siegel (vocals) & Dave Stryker (guitar)
Jan 31 - Saul Rubin (guitar)

Feb 7 - Jimmy Bruno & Sheryl Bailey (guitars)
Feb 14 - Peter Bernstein (guitar)
Feb 21 - Rodney Jones (guitar)
Feb 28 - "Django Celebration" with Joscho Stephan, John Jorgenson, Arnt Arsen, Vinny Raniolo (guitars)

[murphybridget837]

Does that guitar have a specific name?

[Doug B]

Which guitar?

[sgosnell]

I think its name is Bruce. But I could be wrong.

[DanielleOM]

Does that guitar have a specific name?

Looking for the Mike Stern Yamaha model?

PAC1611MS - Overview - Electric Guitars - Guitars, Basses & Amps - Musical Instruments - Products - Yamaha USA

[David B]

Tonight
10 January 2024
Pasquale Grasso hosts, depping for Frank Vignola. With Ari Roland (bass), Vince Cherico (drums) and special guest Janis Siegel.

[sgosnell]

Tonight's stream was cancelled, for unspecified reasons.

[David B]

Tonight
17 January 2024
Jocelyn Gould joins Frank Vignola, with Ted Rosenthal (piano), Gary Mazzaroppi (bass) and Vince Cherico (drums).