John Abercrombie

John Abercrombie was a musically versatile guitarist but closely anchored in the jazz tradition whose boundaries he extended by following his instincts as a fine improviser, creator of broad and exciting melodies as well as melancholy, edgy and witty compositions.

At age fourteen, he harnessed the guitar, studied jazz masters, and in 1962 attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston.

John Abercrombie in 1967 joined organist Johnny “Hammond” Smith and, in New York, the Brecker Brothers. In the 1970s came important collaborations-Chico Hamilton, Gil Evans, Gato Barbieri.

As a leader he recorded his first album Timeless and then Gateway, with Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette, duets with guitarist Ralph Towner and with Kenny Wheeler’s band.

Prestigious appearances followed: Charles Lloyd, Enrico Rava, John Surman; alternating to date with work with his trio and quartet, made special by the presence of violinist Mark Feldman, as on the Cat ‘n’ Mouse and Class Trip records.