George Van Eps
7 Strings, Infinite Grace
It would seem that the guitar world was a busy place in the early
1930s. The guitar was being used differently as an instrument
than it had in years past and the banjo was becoming less and less
of an influence. Fred Van Eps was a well known banjoist of the
early 20th century and his son George started in his footsteps but
switched to guitar. This was the trend of the time and George
Van Eps was a pioneer in using the guitar as a complete instrument,
capable of handling complex chords and playing solo pieces that
sounded full and complete.
Over time he became one of the most amazing players in all of Jazz Guitar. Using a seven string guitar he created a whole new type of guitar playing that employed a complex bass line and solid voicings many of which were not possible on a six string. He created solo guitar arrangements that a good piano player would have trouble improving upon.
While he and Joe Pass both did a lot with solo playing their styles were quite distinct from one another. Listening to Joe Pass was like watching a skilled snow boarder coming down a mountain, lots of quick switches and fancy maneuvering and obviously much skill just to survive the chances being taken. Van Eps, on the other hand, was like half of an Olympic skating team with his guitar as a capable partner. While the level of skill and expertise is just as high, the impression is one of graceful cooperation.
Van Eps was known to think of his guitar as a "lap piano" and accordingly, he played very complete parts with a sensitivity that only a guitar can give. Bucky Pizzarelli started to pursue the seven string after seeing Van Eps play, and in recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in seven string guitar. Some truly astounding things are happening in the Jazz guitar world and much of this development has its roots in the playing of Mr. Van Eps.
