Artist:John Abercrombie
Song:Bo Diddy
Album:Tactics
Guitarist John Abercrombie was a big part in the development of jazz fusion in the 70s. He wasn't as famous as John McLaughlin but he forged his own path. He was born Dec. 16, 1944 in Port Chester, NY but he grew up in Greenwich, CT. The first guitarist he noticed as a child was Mickey Baker of Mickey and Sylvia. He befriended two musicians who played jazz records for him including guitarist Barney Kessel. So when he took guitar lessons, Abercrombie wanted to play like Kessel. After graduating from high school, Abercrombie attended Berklee in Boston. His influences include Jim Hall and Wes Montgomery. He played local clubs with other students and that led to meetings with trumpeter Randy Brecker, his sax player brother Mike Brecker and organist Johnny Hammond Smith. He toured with Smith. After graduating, Abercrombie moved to New York in 1969 and became a session musician. He also formed the jazz rock group Dreams with the Brecker Brothers and drummer Billy Cobham. Dreams split up after three albums. Abercrombie joined Cobham's new band. But he thought the music was more rock than jazz so he left. He met drummer Jack DeJohnette and ECM Records owner Manfred Eicher. He recorded his 1975 debut album Timeless with DeJohnette and pianist Jan Hammer. Then he formed Gateway with DeJohnette and bassist Dave Holland. Abercrombie recorded for ECM for his entire career. This was the beginning of great success that lasted for over 40 years. Bo Diddy is from the 1997 album Tactics with Dan Wall on organ and Adam Nussbaum on drums. Wall wrote Bo Diddy. This trio was Abercrombie's primary band in the 90s. They toured for over a decade. Abercrombie continued to tour and record until he died on Aug. 22, 2017 at age 72. Here's John Abercrombie with Dan Wall and Adam Nussbaum performing Bo Diddy at the 2004 JazzFestival Viersen in Germany.
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