Home » Jazz Musicians » PT Gazell

PT Gazell

PT Gazell’s first release, “Pace Yourself”, (featuring Jerry Douglas and Ricky Skaggs as sidemen) set the gold standard for diatonic harmonica playing. This blast of sonic bluegrass was and is, ahead of its time.

His innovative work with the West Texas Music Company, (Johnny Paycheck's working band) from 1977 to 1980 opened up new musical possibilities for PT. His ability as a soloist and as an ensemble member of the band garnered him both critical and popular acclaim and made him one of the most sought after session players in the country.

With his new CD, “Swingin’ Easy…Hittin' Hard”, PT once again sets a standard for others to follow. Combining elements of Jazz, Swing, and Pop Standards PT Gazell has produced a classic American Recording that will keep your toes tappin’, your head boppin’ and your smile firmly in place.

From Jazz to Bluegrass, PT Gazell covers the musical waterfront as a bandleader, a recording artist and soloist. The one common denominator is the pure musical joy that emanates with each carefully considered note he plays.

Gear

Seydel Harmonicas 1847 Classic & Silver models Audix Fireball V Microphone


Tags

170
Take Five With...

Take Five With PT Gazell

Read "Take Five With PT Gazell" reviewed by PT Gazell


Meet PT Gazell: Hot, swingin, smooth, original, clean, lyrical, faster than a speeding bullet, diatonically chromatic, one of a kind, masterful, the swingingest, Oh yeah, like what? Nat “King} Cole, Benny Goodman, Louis Jordan, Ben Webster, Harry “Sweets" Edison, Wes Montgomery, Tiny Moore...that's what! Dig it. PT Gazell--American master of the half-valved diatonic harmonica. Swing and jazz played on a 10-hole, Richter-tuned diatonic harmonica.Instrument(s): Harmonica.Teachers and/or influences? ...

Read more articles
100

Recording

Master of the Half Valved Harmonica Releases Dazzling New CD

Master of the Half Valved Harmonica Releases Dazzling New CD

Source: Michael Ricci

2 Days Out, marks yet another milestone in harmonica maestro PT Gazell's musical journey. Perhaps the most musically daring of all his recordings, 2 Days Out explores dynamic sonic combinations that are superbly refreshing, spirited and profound. PT's half-valved diatonic harmonicas are paired with a couple of heavyweights from the brass section—trombone and flugelhorn. PT's impeccable phrasing and undeniable expressive shadings blend seamlessly with these horns to create something extraordinary and distinct. On songs as varied as the swing standard, ...

133

Recording

American and New Zealand Harmonica Wizards Team up for Amazing New CD

American and New Zealand Harmonica Wizards Team up for Amazing New CD

Source: All About Jazz

2008 marks a milestone for PT Gazell & Brendan Power, as their highly anticipated duet CD Back To Back hits the stands. This collection of jazz and swing standards from MissMax & Tethnik Records is certain to make fans and industry folks alike sit up and take notice. American master of the half-valved diatonic, PT Gazell and New Zealand chromatic harmonica wizard Brendan Power, pay homage to the swinging sounds of Django Reinhardt, Benny Goodman, Ben Webster and so much ...

105

Recording

Miss Max Records Announces New PT Gazell CD, "Swingin' Easy... Hittin' Hard"

Miss Max Records Announces New PT Gazell CD, "Swingin' Easy... Hittin' Hard"

Source: All About Jazz

Kingston Springs, TN PT Gazell has created a stunning new disc, Swingin Easy...Hittin Hard, that mixes elements of Jazz, Western Swing and Standard American Popular Music into a captivating collection of pure joy. From the first note, PT announces his intention to keep your toes tapping, your head boppin and your smile firmly in place. He achieves these lofty goals on the most common of instruments, the diatonic harmonica. He explores places with this deceptively difficult little instrument in ways ...

Fans of harmonica players know Gazell and find him technically way ahead of the pack on the little instrument, able to expressively articulate each note in a rapid passage with feeling as well as skill, inviting comparisons with jazz masters such as the tenor saxophonists Wayne Marsh or Sonny Rollins. Eugene Chadbourn...All Music Guide

Swingin’ Easy has Gazell at the front of a spacious jazz rhythm section, including local players Roger Spencer on bass, Chris Brown on drums and guitarist Andy Reiss. Vibe player Kirby Shelstad also adds colors and counterpoints on a few tracks. Gazell’s set of swing covers, mostly of tunes from the Great American Songbook, are guided by the warm, homey feel of his diatonic harp playing

Read more

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Swingin'...

Miss Max Records
0

buy

Videos

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.