Hank Garland
Nashville Cat, Midnight Jazzer
Nashville is to music what Detroit is to the automobile, an industry center. During the '50s recording artists listened to demos of new songs then
recorded them using studio musicians who worked from hastily prepared charts. The Nashville studio artist, unlike his Hollywood counterpart, had
considerable creative leeway even to the point of creating his own part with suggestions from the name artist. "A little less bluesy on the guitar solo
this time," or the like. From this world sprang Hank Garland.
Session musicians had to be good, serious players and it was not uncommon for some of the best to get together after work at Nashville's Carousel Club and play a little jazz. From these sessions came the idea to perform at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1960. The festival had an overabundance of would-be spectators and soon a riot broke out. The festival was closed and the Nashville musicians wisely decided to stay in the safety of their rented house. A jam session broke out on the lawn with players such as Garland, Chet Atkins, Boots Randolph and Gary Burton present. Someone had the foresight to record this live session and it was released as "After the Riot at Newport" featuring "The Nashville All-Stars".
Soon after, Hank Garland made his milestone recording "Jazz Winds From A New Direction" using the young Mr. Burton on Vibes, Joe Morello on Drums and Joe Benjamin on Bass. The cuts on this recording have an airy feeling driven by Burton's light touch on the vibes and Garlands freewheeling guitar solos. There's a definite country feel to the guitar and that you wouldn't find on many jazz recordings but the overall effect is still jazzy.
Other Hank Garland recordings have a sound that I find reminiscent of Johnny Smith. Some of the Carousel Club dates are also available, providing yet another Hank Garland recording to both inspire and humble its listeners.
Garland was seriously injured in an automobile accident in 1962 and while he could still play he was unable to fully utilize his vast talent. His career was cut short to the chagrin of all. In my opinion Hank Garland had the potential to take jazz guitar to heights of popularity that it has yet to achieve. In December of 2004 Hank Garland passed away.
