Eleonora Strino is making waves within the jazz world as each guitarist and media-savvy artist. By her movies and on-line presence, Strino has gained a following for her critical old-school jazz chops, interpretations, and compositions. Her new album, I Obtained Strings, is a trio recording of swing and bebop materials with elegant guitar work out-front. VG checked in with Eleonora from house in Italy.

You like that timeless jazz model of Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, and Jim Corridor.
I fell in love with Jim Corridor’s music once I was 15; he was the rationale I made a decision to play jazz guitar. Then I studied all the nice guitarists, like Barney Kessel, Grant Inexperienced, Wes Montgomery, Chuck Wayne, and Kenny Burrell. My favorites within the second are Invoice Frisell, Julian Lage, and Peter Bernstein, however I’m all the time attempting to develop my very own model. My subsequent album would be the fruits of this current work and can solely include unique compositions.

How did you get began in jazz?
My father was a fantastic figurative painter, so I come from an inventive household, although there was no jazz at house. I made a decision to develop into a jazz guitarist as a result of I heard an album once I was younger – the boyfriends of my sisters beloved jazz, they usually introduced albums in the home. I heard Missouri Sky by Pat Metheny and Dave Holland, and Undercurrent by Jim Corridor and Invoice Evans. Quickly after, I had little doubt what I used to be presupposed to do in my life.

Did you ever play rock?
I by no means performed rock guitar. I attempted to transcribe some Jimi Hendrix solos as soon as, however that doesn’t make me a rock guitarist (laughs)!

You combine chords with single-note phrases.
When learning nice guitarists, I began to focus on different devices, particularly piano gamers. For certain, my first affect is Thelonious Monk, who modified the way in which I appeared on the guitar. Then, I studied Hampton Hawes, Invoice Evans, Bud Powell, Sonny Clark, and plenty of others. I like the concept of pushing the boundaries of the guitar, technically and musically, even imagining that it’s a distinct instrument, like voice, piano, saxophone or drums. But I all the time need to retain the bluesy and nation nature of the instrument.

Speak concerning the session for this new album.
I recorded it in only one afternoon with two of my favourite musicians, the gifted Greg Cohen on bass and Joey Baron on drums. I used to be nervous as a result of the album was going to be recorded on analog tape, with no risk to edit something. Luckily, I felt good and had a lot enjoyable, attempting to concentrate on the music somewhat than my guitar.

What I actually like about this album is the sound of the trio. Joey instructed me about how Jim Corridor received his tone when recording; apparently he tried to get an acoustic sound out of his guitar, which I additionally choose.

“Il Postino” mixes chords with fast-picking improvisation. Your solos are basically songs unto themselves.
Thanks! Improvisation is an instantaneous composition and I believe melody has a number one voice over all the pieces. I additionally love attempting to inform a narrative once I solo, that’s why I typically combine chords with choosing phrases. Among the best-constructed solos is pianist Hampton Hawes’ improv on “Blues The Most,” from Hampton Hawes Trio.

Which guitars and amp did you utilize, and do you roll again the Tone knob in your guitar?
I used a Gibson L-7 from 1933, an previous Fender Deluxe Reverb, and no pedals. I can’t roll again the Tone knob on my previous Gibson as a result of there’s none; I can solely modify the quantity.

You’re a part of a brand new technology of nice Italian guitar gamers, together with Matteo Mancuso and Pasquale Grasso. Have you ever seen a guitar revival there?
I can’t discuss myself, however absolutely I can say that they’re inspiring different generations, and I’m very blissful to witness them making their approach into the worldwide scene. Pasquale (VG, November ’21) is an actual maestro and Matteo (see web page 30) is one other nice expertise. Each have superb approach.

As a Twenty first-century musician, you might be exceptionally good at social media.
Really, I’m fairly a catastrophe in terms of group (laughs). I recorded a video a couple of years in the past, taking part in guitar in my pajamas, and it grew to become viral. From that time on, I began to realize success on social media and it helped get my music recognized to different components of the globe. I’m so glad that many individuals comply with me – it evokes me to develop into a greater musician day after day, and improve my music.

This text initially appeared in VG’s October 2023 subject. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.