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Lou Mecca has been termed the "Jazz Guitarist with the Classical Sensitivity"...
December 1923 ~ June 2003
Photo - Copyrighted by:
Stickler's Commercial Photography
Tel: 561-340-4333
Lou is considered a contemporary artist and when he plays the guitar, it is as though Lou and the instrument are one. Warm rich tones are what most jazz artists strive for, Lou holds that thought.
Selected by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as outstanding Jazz Guitarist. Voted a "NEW STAR" in the Guitar Category in the Downbeat critics Poll.
Recognized by Leonard Feather as a brilliant new guitarist heard on Blue Note Records. Illustrated in the "Encyclopedia Yearbook of Jazz" and "History of Jazz" written by Leonard Feather, and also illustrated in "The Jazz Guitar Book", in the third and fourth editions, by Maurice J. Summerfield, UK.
Performed at the 1st "Newport Jazz Festival" with the Gil Melle Quartet, and at Town Hall, N.Y.C., also performed at Gullivers, Trumpets and the Cafe D'Angelico, and various Jazz Clubs in N.J., N.Y., Canada, FL, PA, RI, and throughout the country.
Worked with such outstanding artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Evans, Teddy Charles, Eddie Costa, Al Cohn, Chris Conners, Archie Blyer's Orchestra, accompanist for Julius La Rosa, Stan Purdy, accompanist for "The Unsinkable Molly Brown Show", performed with the Ron Metcalf Orchestra, at the Worlds Fair in N.Y., Vincent Lopez Orchestra, John Lewis, Maxzine Sullivan, Rex Stewart, Vinnie Burke, Gary Mazzaroppi, Jack Six, Al Caiola and many other great musicians and singers.
Lou Mecca, Al Caiola, Bob Paterson, showing Jason Cook (student) some new ideas at the Orlando, FL Guitar Workshop
Lou spent many hours jamming with the great Guitarist, Johnny Smith.
Lou developed the first Guitar Department at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rutherford, N.J. Campus, where he held a position as Adjunct Professor of Guitar for seven years.
Lou is scheduled to do several guitar workshops at area music stores also scheduled to perform in concerts , festivals in N.Y.,N.J.,FL and Europe in the upcoming months.
Contributing consultant to "Just Jazz Guitar" Magazine.
Lou went to the Chiropractic Institute of New York for six years in the evening to become a Chiropractic Physician while teaching students in the daytime and performing at various clubs and private functions. Lou graduated and for the next 25 years he worked hard as a Chiropractor in New Jersey. Lou continued to play, but as his practice grew there was less time for Lou to perform. Lou Mecca retired from his practice and moved to the New Jersey Shore. After a sabbatical in Fl, where he started to perform again at concerts and festivals. Lou moved back to the New Jersey Shore and after a slow start Lou is back in full swing. and is looking forward to another career in his first love, music.
Lou can be found playing at various venues in N.J.and N.Y. area, he performs with a duo, trio, quartet and sometimes a quintet.
Lou & Gary Mazzaroppi, performing at Marielles Bistro, Freehold, N.J. Monmouth County, only Supper club that features live Jazz & Blues six days a week.
Lou Mecca is now giving limited guitar sessions, call for an appointment (732)-657-8242. Cost is $50.00 per session teaching only the second week of each month .
Guitar Book - now available -"Exploring the Guitar Fingerboard" by: Lou Mecca- Lou lays down the foundation of the many facets of the guitar, he presents important guitar categories in a logical sequence. Cost is $25.00 + $4.00 S&H in USA to order call 732-657-8242/fax: 732-657-8252 or e-mail loudawn13@msn.com, (or send check for the state of New Jersey or money order in USA for International S&H is slightly higher) Mail to: Mason Management, 53 Drayton Road, Manchester, N.J. 08759-6054 - please include your name & address and Tel:
Lou Mecca is available for clinics, workshops, concerts, festivals, recording sessions and personal appearances.
There is a recent CD out by Blue Note called "Great Guitars" with Lou Mecca Quartet, Tal Farlow and Sal Salvador released recently in Tokyo, Japan, a reissue of "Gil Melle, featuring Lou Mecca" also a Blue Note record -Titled "The Lou Mecca Quartet" (There will be a re-issue by Rudy Van Gelder Studios, coming out in September in CD) and Lou's newest release called "THE LOU MECCA TRIO - Bridging the Gap" CD.
THE LOU MECCA TRIO - "Bridging the Gap"
1. STOMPIN AT THE SAVOY
2. NUAGES
3. BLACK ORPHEUS
4. BODY & SOUL
5. LULLABY OF THE LEAVES
6. WHATS NEW
7. YESTERDAYS
8. ANGEL EYES
9. GREEN DOLPHIN STREET
10. TENDERLY
11. WAVE
12. MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT
13. DAYS OF WINE & ROSES
To hear a clip or to order direct call CD Baby: 1 800 448-6369.
For booking information contact: Mason Management
53 Drayton Road, Manchester, N.J. 08759 Tel: 732-657-8242/Fax: 732-657-8252 e-mail: loudawn13@msn.com
Lou, I enjoyed your Cd immensely, your Guitar sounds great, your rendition of "Moonlight in Vermont" brought back memories of the Master to me. BEAUTIFUL. Best to you always, - Tony Mottola
Lou, having listened to your CD "Bridging the Gap" five times, I'm overwhelmed at how great this production is. Lou you captured my musical soul. Every cut swings so-o-o effortlessly, your improvisation is so-o-o imaginative, it is the kind of guitar-playing I strive for, even if only for my pleasure. Also, Adrian Ingram's review note concisely say a lot in a few words. The Title, Picture Art, Lou's beautiful Guitar sound, choice of songs and sequencing, render a lovely package complete.
PS: This CD earns a place in my file of "Most Cherished Guitar Recordings" - Vinnie Bell
Lou, as a fellow Jazz Artist I must say that you are one of the heavys. All the best. - George Benson
What a player Lou still is and what a great CD! Wow! It blew us away! Hank and his family really enjoyed listening to THE LOU MECCA TRIO -"Bridging the Gap" CD - Hank Garland
Lou Mecca's works are a must listening for the jazzy guitar aficionado! This is as good as it gets.... This CD represents the true essence of Jazz Guitar music as performed by a true "Jazzy Guitar MASTER"! - Bravo Lou - A Jazzy Guitar Bible! Thats what your CD means to me!
Wayne Wesley Johnson - Guitarist/Composer/Recording Artists
Bridging the Gap" - put me in mind of the best Johnny Smith and Tal Farlow recordings. Lou has it all covered. This CD confirms what a handful of enthusiasts have always known, that Lou Mecca is a jazz guitar great. For this present recording, Lou has chosen bassist Mickey Golizio and drummer Nat Garratano, to complete a wonderfully compatible trio. Golizio, a classically trained bassist, was also a guitarist and consequently reads Mecca like a book, anticipating each new phrase, and responding accordingly. He gets a beautiful sound too, as evidenced by his tasteful introduction to "Yesterdays".Drummer, Nat Garratano, is everything a guitarist requires in a percussionist: taste, subtlety, sensitivity and an ear for dynamics. Garratano also understands the guitar, having worked with Tal Farlow and Lenny Breau. -
Adrian Ingram -Music and Reviews Editor,
"Just Jazz Guitar" Magazine
"...Lou makes one feel that they are hearing these standards fresh, and for the first time. His playing is filled with chord-melody and harmonic "targeting" that suggests we should enjoy ourselves."
"Bridging The Gap" is an impressively well done recording which puts one in mind of listening to this Trio in a live club setting - intimate and personal. If you enjoy the standards from the guitarists point of view, the Lou Mecca Trio has it covered!...
-Don Price
Jazz Guitarist/Educator
JAZZ IMPROV
Lou Mecca's marvellous CD called THE LOU MECCA TRIO - "Bridging the Gap" shows the true artistry of this Legendary Guitarist and I am sure "Bridging the Gap" will be Lou's all-best from 1954 up to 1999. - Lou's guitar playing is an excellent must have CD for any guitarist, for myself, the tracks "Nuages," "Black Orpheus" and "Angel Eyes" are the best, but the other tracks are very good of course. - Rolf Rothacker, Engineer, Hausen, Germany
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Last updated: June 1, 2003
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