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Woodstock Times by Sparrow Let's face it, excellent musicians do not always play in our local bars and nightclubs. New York City is too close, prestigious, and filled with people willing to join an audience. We are indeed lucky when a fine guitarist chooses to perform on a Friday night in High Falls. John Bruschini has played with such musical master-thinkers as Cecil Taylor, David S. Ware, Mose Allison, Butch Morris, Craig Harris. For those who know the vocabulary of jazz, this list shows remarkable dexterity. The equivalent in carpentry would be a builder of ships, desks and pencil-boxes. John's first solo album, As You Were (Cathexis), begins with a delicate acoustic guitar, with echoes of flamenco technique-the title song. Though gentle and easy, the actual skill of forming notes is impetuous, emotive, and highly respectful. At any point, John avoids the routine device. As the album develops, he exhibits that strange skill of being at once precise, integral and free-the skill that is Jazz. John writes all the trio's songs and shows himself to be a maker of fine melodies. "April" and "Sarah's" are especially sweet. John uses three guitars: a Guild Mark III classical guitar (1964), a custom-made Telecaster and a Gibson ES330 (1966). Each presents a different tonal facet, making him a bit like a chef who excels in French, Polynesian and New England cuisine. John Bruschini and his trio will perform next on Friday, November 10, in the Clove Room at the Clove Café in High Falls. There is a $5 cover charge (waived for those who dine that night at Clove Café). For more information on Bruschini and to hear MP3 soundbites of his new CD, As You Were, visit his website: www.johnbruschini.com. |