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Bob Shimizu

Introducing "Lets Get Together" the latest release from jazz-guitarist Bob Shimizu.

"Let's Get Together", Shimizu's second solo release, is a celebration of the song-book of a life-time and a musical journey that pays homage to jazz standards and selections from the great American pop and rock song-books.

Produced by veteran Clarke Rigsby (Joey DeFrancesco, Jimmy Smith, Tower Of Power) the album features Shimizu's Arizona-based quartet including Mario Mendivil (elec. bass), Lamar Gaines (piano, Wurlitzer, Clavinet), Mike Florio (drums) and Todd Chuba (percussion) as well as a vocal cameo by singer-songwriter Obadiah Parker (Grandma's Hands), who lends grit and soul to the session.

Shimizu's trek into the non-traditional also includes a foray into the traditional organ-trio setting featuring New Yorkers Pat Bianchi on Hammond B3, and Carmen Intorre on drums (both on-loan from the Pat Martino Trio).

"Let's Get Together" presents Shimizu's unusual take on "standards". Rather than mine the older American Song Book, he selected songs that he grew up with in the '60s. There's plenty of swinging, melody and improvisation to go along with a wide palette of rhythmic styles and sonic beauty and warmth, but make no mistake about it, this is a jazz recording - harmonically, sonically and rhythmically. Shimizu's solo's in the organ trio settings are a stark contrast to the fiery organist Bianchi and the simmering Intorre. In other moments, the quartet grooves hard and allows Shimizu the time and space to deliver his message.

With "Let's Get Together," Bob Shimizu cements himself as a purveyor of melody and space. Shimizu's intention is to deliver engaging tracks that the listener can fall into comfortably, like a conversation with an old friend.

Shimizu states: "I wanted this record to swing. I wanted depth to the harmony. It had to groove and feel good, but mostly I endeavored to bond with the listener so that they might discover the same 'A-hah' and 'Oh-yeah' moments that unfolded for us when we tracked new interpretations of the songs that I loved in my youth."

Gear

Buscarino Guitars


Tags

"...Shimizu has a bright and clean tone and he does not waste a note during his well constructed improvisations.... " 4 Stars — Downbeat Magazine

Spring, 2015: "Let's Get Together," remained in the Top 50 on the JazzWeek Chart for 9 weeks!

"In the best tradition of the 1980s, jazz guitarist/composer Bob Shimizu's relaxing sound and welcoming tone echoes the style of guitarists like Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton." — Jazz Times Magazine

"...Bob Shimizu is a highly lyrical player with the clean runs of a Kenny Burrell and the improvisational skills of a Wes Montgomery...." — Digital Jazz News

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