Just as a headstrong young pianist named
Oscar Peterson
was once humbled by his first exposure to an
Art Tatum
record, guitarist
Steve Masakowski
admits to having "a humbling and seemingly life-altering effect" over two decades earlier when his guitar teacher played the record
"For Django"
by the late virtuoso
Joe Pass
.
Masakowski
has developed into a masterful guitarist in his own right in his mid-forties, but he hasn't forgotten the inspiration of the music of Joe Pass. This CD features superb interpretation of
and another lesser known
Pass
composition,
"I'll Know."
wrote the blues tribute
"I'll Pass"
and loping ballad
"The Big Easy."
A boppish
"Falling in Love With Love"
is a strong opener, and his swinging take of
Dave Brubeck
's
"In Your Own Sweet Way"
is also very appealing. Bassist
Bill Huntington
and drummer
Johnny Vidacovich
provide strong support on this highly recommended release. ~ Ken Dryden