FEATURES
36 JAZZ MANOUCHE Django Reinhardt was one of this century's greatest guitarists, and the Gypsy jazz he pioneered in the '20s with the Quintet of the Hot Club of France has taken root around the globe. Michael Simmons traces Reinhardt's career and meets the players who carry on his legacy. With a Gypsy guitar primer by Djangologist (and country guitar legend) John Jorgenson.
50 APPROACHING THE MILLENNIUM Could the modern guitar be much louder and clearer than it is? Luthier Tom Humphrey thinks so, and his innovative Millennium classical is proving his point. He speaks to Dan Erlewine about the philosophy of his design and the workings of a great guitar.
62 REDEMPTION SONGS With the release of his second CD, Fight for Your Mind, slide guitarist Ben Harper has moved to the forefront of a new generation of singer-songwriters. Ben Elder explores the influences and instruments behind Harper's electrifying blend of blues, folk, and reggae.
DEPARTMENTS
6 CONTRIBUTORS
8 MAIL
13 MUSIC NOTATION KEY
14 JUMP STREET Guitar goodies on the World Wide Web, Happenings, and Hit List record reviews.
18 REVIEWS New recordings of Gypsy jazz and Hawaiian slack-key guitar.
23 A.G. LETTER David Surette reports on the rich Celtic music traditions of Brittany, France.
29 SONG CRAFT Singer-Storyteller: The rocking story-songs of James McMurtry. With music to "Right Here Now." By Dan Ouellette
82 GEARBOX Equipment picks from this issue's featured artists, and new product spotlights.
93 DEAR A.G. Answers to your questions.
95 FOR BEGINNERS Classic Chord Changes. By Richard Gartner
101 WOOD CHOPS A Movable Feast: Versatile chord forms for swing jazz and pop accompaniment. With music to "Dominant Seven Swing." By Dix Bruce
108 SOLO Todd Ellison introduces "Bella Donna," by Italian fingerstylist Peppino D'Agostino.
114 GREAT ACOUSTICS 1949 Selmer. By François Charle
Cover: Visiting the U.S. in 1946, Django Reinhardt checks out a guitar built by Swedish luthier Herman Carlson Levin. Photo by William P. Gottlieb, Library of Congress/Gershwin Fund.
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