Presented by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society, Friday night performances at the Plaza Bistro entitled “Jazz in the backroom” are coordinated each week to bring the best of Jazz music to the people of Sonoma and surrounding wine country. “I asked John and Randy to perform together, although they are not officially a duo,” said Lina Perlas, president of the society. She and the 12 member board and staff work continuously to ensure the music they bring to the Valley of The Moon is top quality.
Both Vincent and Stowell, played harmoniously as if the two electric guitars were as one. Yet, each have a tremendous respect for one another and the integrity of the music. And, each in his own right, represent an impressive history of American contemporary Jazz music as both men have accompanied or played along side some of the greatest jazz and American music legends and luminaries over the years.
“We don’t play together that often, said Vincent. But John and I have known each other for more than 30 years.” Stowell agreed as he said, “we have a lot shared in common musically. We understand the music and so we can play together rather spontaneously, without much rehearsal.” Both well-accomplished musicians and recording artists, each of them have written books to help teach others about guitar.
As they played for more than three hours, it is easy to see they love what they do and Jazz music is their life. Much of what they played on Friday was the Jazz standards from the traditional songbook, such as “Stella by Starlight.” To this reporter’s ear, the sultry, melodic sound between the two of them reminded me of George Benson.
At intermission, when I mentioned how much their playing reminded me of George Benson, Vincent said he was indeed a fan. I also said that what they were playing was an era of music that seems to be eclipsed by today’s Hip-hop, rap and techno-beat styles. Vincent noted he had met and performed with many of the greats like Dizzy Gillespie and others. And, that it was because of musicians like Benson that he persevered and made jazz guitar his career.
“I initially got a guitar because the kid across the street in the neighborhood in Orlando where I grew up, had one.” Then Vincent laughed as he said, “I wanted one because I thought it was cool. But then I really started to like the vibe of the guitar, the way it sounded, the way it felt as I played it.”
He went on to say, “I did not push myself until I heard a record of George Benson’s at a record store and it moved me. So when I was told by the record shop owner that he was going to be performing not far from where I was in Orlando at the time, I had to see him.”
“That was I around 1972 or so, before he had the hit record ‘On Broadway.’ The show I saw that night changed my life,” said Vincent. “I was too shy to try to meet him,” he added. Benson would go on not only be known as a great singer with many hit records like ‘This Masquerade’ he became renown as an outstanding guitar player.” The album on which the song “On Broadway” was released in 1976 went platinum, making Benson the first Jazz artist to achieve that status. “Years later, said Vincent,I met him and told him his playing guitar was one of the reasons why I wanted to make jazz guitar my career.”
Like Vincent, Stowell began his career in the early 1970’s. He studied with guitarist Linc Chamberland and pianist John Mehegan. He is grateful to have had them as mentors.Years later Stowell met bassist David Friesen in New York City, and they formed a duo that recorded and toured prolifically for seven years, with performances in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.
Things moved swiftly during the 1980s, when he and Friesen teamed up with flutist Paul Horn.Together they performed for a historic tour of the Soviet Union. Their tour at that time was the first time in forty years that an American jazz group had been invited to play public performances in Russia.
In addition to extensive traveling, performing, composing and recording, both men teach ‘guitar clinics’ locally, across the country and even while on tour abroad. Vincent still teaches at Sonoma State University and Stowell has been in demand for his workshops held from coast to coast, from Stanford University to NYC and Canada. Both strive to help the aspiring guitarist to understand the music, make the guitar sing like a voice; and to help the guitarist to find his or her own uniqueness.
“I liked their performance – very mellow,” said Larry Lenard. He was having dinner with friends and their table requested “Stella.” Even with lots of conversations going on while dinner was being served from 7 to 10 PM in the backroom at the Bistro, patrons applauded after each set.
In addition to the weekly Friday night Jazz in the Backroom at the Plaza Bistro, Perlas wanted to let patrons know that the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society will be presenting singers, ensembles and quintets for the Tuesday Night Market during the coming summer months.
Summer line up will be: The Electric Squeezebox Orchestra on June 14, The Charles Hamilton Quintet on July 12, Cuban-born singer Fito Reinoso on August 9 and the Roger Glenn Latin Jazz Ensemble on Sept 13.
For more details visit the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society website.
