The Jazz Guitar Stylings of Howard Roberts

Book excerpt: The Jazz Stylings of Howard Roberts consists of transcriptions of melody, solo, comping examples and ensemble passages from Howard's extensive solo albums spanning from the '50's to the '70's in accurate detail. There is a bio of HR (as he was affectionately known to all of his acquaintances and fans) with personal comments from Pete Jolly, well known LA jazz and studio pianist who was best friends with Howard going back to their early days in Phoenix. an extensive section covers the history and development of the Epiphone© and Gibson© signature guitars that Howard created along with the Benson® amp story, which is told by Howard's original partner, Ron Benson, the first of the 'boutique' amplifier companies, so common today. Along the way, Howard's involvement with guitar education and publishing is described culminating in the opening of the Guitar Institute of Technology (now the Musicians Institute) in 1977. A discography of Howard's solo albums as well as the key hit records he played on and a list of the major motion picture soundtracks he participated in as a studio musician in Los Angeles are also included.