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Bruce Forman

A busy touring schedule; seventeen recordings as a leader; countless sideman recording date—including a featured role on one of jazz great Ray Brown’s last albums; soundtrack performances on three of Clint Eastwood’s distinguished films—the Oscar-winning Million Dollar Baby, Oscar-nominated Flags of Our Fathers and Hereafter ; producer, arranger, and acclaimed educator; over twenty appearances at the landmark Monterey Jazz Festival; in residence at USC ’s Studio / Jazz Guitar Dept.—when does Bruce Forman rest? Forman is a seasoned jazz player with top-level skills as a leader, entertainer and sideman. He creates soulful, lyrical melodies, inventive harmonies, and solid accompaniment. Though he can shred bebop at blistering tempos with the best of ‘em, he is no urban snob. Cow Bop, Forman’s unique “western bebop” band, hit four separate charts with its CDs, Swingin’ Out West, Route 66, Too Hick for the Room and Cowlifornia Swing. In May 2014, Cow Bop was inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame. A new composition, The Red Guitar, has received wide acclaim. It may be the only jazz libretto where the narrator and the featured instrumentalist are the same performer. The Red Guitar requires great virtuosity, but it is much deeper than a simple showcase for Forman’s abilities. It is serious one-man theater, exploring the obsessive demands that music places on its truest followers. Forman is also a distinguished music educator and in-kind philanthropist. His national music-mentoring program, JazzMasters Workshop, provided over 2,500 sessions for young students. Always free of charge, JazzMasters’ sessions occurred during after-school hours, and the program enriched lives and helped develop numerous musicians who have gone on to promising careers. Bruce’s life and musical journey provide an American saga that is still in full swing. His Texas origins, his early career in San Francisco and New York , and his years on the road, all contribute to the unique and highly personal vision that he demonstrates today. Deep immersion in American culture inspires him to contribute to the traditions that he drew from. Cow Bop’s “road challenges” down historic byways like Route 66; original works like The Red Guitar; JazzMasters Workshop—these are only the latest answers to the endless question that underlies Bruce Forman’s creativity. His music and life reflect every step of his journey, and demonstrate the awareness of an artist who’s very much at home in the world, and at the top of his form.

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36
Album Review

David Whitman: Ode To Joe

Read "Ode To Joe" reviewed by Jack Bowers


While West Coast drummer David Whitman's Ode to Joe [Henderson] is a rather brief one at less than thirty-three minutes, it is otherwise admirable for what is enclosed within its concise parameters. Whitman leads a well-schooled septet whose makeup is freshened by rotating tenor saxophonists Bob Sheppard and Rob Lockart and guitarists Bruce Forman and Chris Montgomery. Whitman and trumpeter Andrew Neesley share composer credits, and Neesley handles the arrangements, awakening warm memories of the Golden Age ...

7
Album Review

David Whitman: Ode To Joe

Read "Ode To Joe" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


Dipping into this fine recording is, to mix metaphors a bit, like opening a time capsule. That capsule is called One For All (A&M, 1990), perhaps the final studio recording of Art Blakey with The Jazz Messengers. It was not a perfect outing, but it was a memorable one. The lines got into the head and stayed there, just waiting for a chance to be reawakened. Well, now is the time with Ode to Joe. A convenient link between the ...

1
Album Review

Staci Griesbach: My George Jones Songbook

Read "My George Jones Songbook" reviewed by William H. Snyder


Some might question why write an All About Jazz review of an album featuring songs made popular by George Jones? Duke Ellington had the answer when he said, “There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind ... the only yardstick by which the result should be judged is simply that of how it sounds. If it sounds good it's successful; if it doesn't it has failed." Staci Griesbach and her colleagues have made good music ...

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22

Recording

Guitarist Bruce Forman Returns to the Jazz Trio Format with "Formanism" CD, June 19 Release

Guitarist Bruce Forman Returns to the Jazz Trio Format with "Formanism" CD, June 19 Release

Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations

Bruce Forman's musical instincts burst forth clean, crisp and clear on Formanism, his first trio adventure in a dozen years. He throws open the doors, ventures out into the fresh air, and writes a new chapter of possibilities for guitar trio. Riding rippling tides of tasty, understated percussion and nimble, musical string-bass lines, Forman's playing captures the imagination without straining or showing off. The warm sound and clarity he gets from his classic jazz guitar call to mind the energy ...

86

Performance / Tour

For the Love of Jazz Marks 34th Year with Reno Concert

For the Love of Jazz Marks 34th Year with Reno Concert

Source: All About Jazz

Pat Glancy attended the first For the Love of Jazz concert in 1974. Thirty-four years later, the Carson City resident still makes the trip to Reno for the concerts. “This is one of the best investments I've ever made in my life," said Glancy, 77. Glancy was among dozens at the local organization's annual meeting and concert Sunday at the Sands Regency Casino & Hotel. The concert featured renowned musicians from Reno and California and the winner of the first ...

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Performance / Tour

Bebop Guitar Master Bruce Forman at Jazz at Pearl's (SF) April 20-22

Bebop Guitar Master Bruce Forman at Jazz at Pearl's (SF) April 20-22

Source: Rocket Words

Forman to reunite with bassist John Wiitala and drummer Vince Lateano to recreate legendary trio Any performance by guitarist Bruce Forman is bound to be a treat, but this weekend at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco is bound to be particularly special, as Forman gets together with a couple of old mates to recreate history and share some memories. Forman will be reconvening with bassist John Wiitala and drummer Vince Lateano this Friday through Sunday, April 20-22, at Jazz ...

54

Education

Nevada Summer Jazz Camp Features Guitarist Bruce Forman as Artist in Residence

Nevada Summer Jazz Camp Features Guitarist Bruce Forman as Artist in Residence

Source: All About Jazz

Great Basin College, Elko, Nevada July 17 - July 20, 2007 Bruce Forman's guitar playing featured in Clint Eastwood's Academy Award winning film, “Million Dollar Baby"! Four days of intense classes, workshops, individual instruction for junior and senior high school students 15-20, who desire a concentrated program centering on improvisation, ensemble performance, one-on-one tutoring, sight-reading, and MUCH more. The program is designed for students who are serious about performing in a jazz concert band environment. ADULTS ARE WELCOME! ...

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Event

Cowboy Jazz? The Latest Project featuring Bruce Forman!

Cowboy Jazz? The Latest Project featuring Bruce Forman!

Source: All About Jazz

A music group by the name of “Cowbop" (featuring Jazz Guitarist Legend Bruce Forman) is taking a tour through the California Gold Country. The band departs October 18, following the length of California's Highway 49, starting with only a full tank of gas and $100. Their intent is to make it the entire way from Downieville to Oakhurst by playing, bartering, selling CDs and living off the kindness of friends and strangers. Cowbop is seeking pledges to be donated to ...

"Bruce Forman is one of the great lights of our age." —Barney Kessel

"Bruce Forman is a wonderful guitarist; extremely versatile and very musical...a first-rate accompanist and soloist." —Kenny Burrell

Oleg Ivanov
guitar

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Ode To Joe

Shifting Paradigm Records
2023

buy

My George Jones...

Staci Griesbach
2021

buy

My Patsy Cline...

Staci Griesbach
2019

buy

Dynamics

Emerald Green Sound
1985

buy

In Transit

Emerald Green Sound
1983

buy

20/20

Emerald Green Sound
1982

buy

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