wayne shorter, miles davis, weather report, steely dan, the beatles, radiohead, jojo mayer and nerve, hagans (tim hagans), amir ziv and droid, charlie parker, trane, joe henderson, keith jarrett, herbie hancock, ornette coleman, paul bley, squarepusher, aphex twin, bjork, beck, a tribe called quest, john scofield, bill frisell, jim hall, james brown, led zeppelin, the police, tim berne and science friction, marc ducret, wolfgang muthspiel, brian blade fellowship, interpol, scott henderson, dave binney, uri caine's bedrock, alasnoaxis, meshuggah, the roots, chick corea, kurt rosenwinkel, pat metheny, bartok, lutoslwski, joan miro, paul klee, woody allen
Jack Broad was raised in a musical family in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended Miami University on a music scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor Of Music degree. Jack has been fortunate to have studied music with Charlie Banacos, Ben Monder, and Brad Shepik and has attended masterclasses by John Abercrombie, Adam Rogers, Frank Gambale, Andy LaVerne, Kenny Garrett, Billy Hart and Tim Hagans. Jack moved to the New York City area in 2001 and has performed at the Knitting Factory, Kavehaz, The Garage, The Supper Club, Pianos, CBGB, Sin-E, and Blues Alley (Washington D.C.), has performed with Don Braden, Bruce Arnold, Eivind Opsvik, Jon Irabagon, Jason Smart, Peter Evans, Rene Marie, Tim Kuhl, Pete Brendler, Andrew Neff, Jim Orso, Christian Fabian, Jeff Davis, Josiah Wolf, Stacey Dillard, rock band Aerovox and members of Alicia Keys' band and has opened shows for George Benson, Dave Mason, Kirk Whalum, Ray Obeido, and Rachelle Ferrell, as well as touring throughout the U.S., Asia, and Canada. Jack teaches guitar privately and can be heard playing in many jazz groups around the NYC area. Jack also just released his first CD called “Current” in September of 2008. The material was written, programmed, recorded, mixed, and produced by Jack and is currently being played on jazz and fusion radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Jack recently became an endorsee for Godin Guitars and plays the ACS-SA Nylon "Slim" model.
CD Reviews:
Reviewed by: Jazz.com
Reviewer: Scott Albin
Song reviewed: Current
Rating: 93/100
The number of young jazz guitarists directly influenced by either Charlie Christian or Wes Montgomery is dwindling. Nowadays, the main guitar influences are Metheny, Scofield, Frisell, Abercrombie, and Rosenwinkel. Jack Broad describes the music on his Current CD as "guitar-oriented, electronic, modern jazz/fusion." The recording is self-produced, to say the least, with "all songs composed, programmed, performed, recorded and mixed by Jack Broad." He did not, however, do the mastering or take the photos. Despite that, this impressive debut will be much appreciated by lovers of contemporary jazz guitar, in all its many guises.
"Current" contains a Metheny-like circular theme and an assertive Broad solo that most recalls Rosenwinkel in terms of structure, ideas, clean lines and ringing tone. Broad's sure technique extends beyond his proficient guitar playing. The seamless electronic keyboard, bass and drum tracks that he programmed and mixed are very engaging and complement his guitar work perfectly. Ethereal voices are effectively layered in at times as well. Elsewhere on the CD, Broad shows that he can rock out with the best of them and create more dissonant, highly provocative soundscapes, but on this title track he gives us an overview of his basic stylistic foundations, from which the possibilities are endless.
Reviewed by: Jazz.com
Reviewer: Mark Saleski
Song reviewed: Swamp Witch
Rating: 92/100
Usually just seeing the word "programming" makes me shudder. That feeling is soon followed by the lovely parabolic arc of the disc into the trash can. Don't get me wrong, programming has its place. It's just that it's almost never done correctly, many times creating more problems than it solves (and yes, I know all about drummer problems), not the least of which is a certain blandness.
I'm happy to report that jazz guitarist Jack Broad knows what he's doing both in the areas of programming and guitar wrangling. "Swamp Witch" has Broad blowing crazed rock-like passages as well as reverb-soaked pedal tones. I'm reminded of early Bill Frisell as well as Guitar Shop-era Jeff Beck. It's a whole lot of fun and puts a modern stamp on what we used to look down on as fusion.
Reviewed by: All About Jazz.com
Reviewer: Mark F. Turner (January 24, 2009)
With a fusion-for-today mindset, savvy tech work and some imagination, New York guitarist Jack Broad amps up the cool factor on Current.This debut goes beyond the usual fretboard pyrotechnics as Broad puts on a one-man show, not only laying down heated guitar licks but also writing, programming and delivering everything into the final product.
While the music lies in the same vein as works by well-known guitarists Scott Henderson and Frank Gambale, Current's little touches— such as the atmospheric electronic effects on "Realm"- add a psychedelic touch. That track discreetly sets up the title track, a composition with a sci-fi attitude, keyboards, a pulsating rhythm and Broad's sharped edged guitar playing.
Broad's performance matches the music's intelligent design, from cleanor distorted riffs to intricate soloing ("Emanations") to a nasty moog-synth bass and hypno-club beat on the killer "Cold Cut." Tunes like "Swamp Witch" have multiple personalities— the Texas rock/blues swagger of Stevie Ray Vaughan, a slow cooked jazz swing tempo and even a little grind-house horror movie to match.
The remaining tracks don't wane. "Rise And Shine" has a rock-anthem quality, whereas "Never Coming Back" contains shadowy contours reminiscent of Pink Floydian dreamscapes. The lighter popping themes in "World Line" and "Nu Sounds" are equally hip; the former donned with odd dance syncopation and the latter spinning a Nuevo-suave beat, a scorching guitar solo and a closing with sampled R&B voice.
High quality composition combined with Broad's creative DIY skills, make Current a totally fun release.
Reviewed by: All About Jazz.com
Reviewer: Ian Patterson (March 25, 2009)
The technological revolution is seeing ever more musicians recording and producing music themselves, thus threatening the predatory species known as big labels with extinction. Jack Broad is one such musician, and his independent debut, Current, was written, programmed, played, recorded, mixed and produced by the guitarist in little more than a year.
Broad is a guitarist with great chops and an approach to the guitar that is as much informed by the blues-rock of Jimi Hendrix as it is the fusion breed six-stringers. The combination results in an exciting attack with various accents. Add to the mix a keen sense of melody and penchant for catchy tunes which range from synth-pop to Steve Hillage space-rock/dance-beat ambience, and the result is never short of absorbing.
Broad uses sprinklings of spacey effects to conjure large sonic horizons on the intro, "Realm," which also features passing tabla beats and a drum 'n bass rhythm. The beat segues into the title track where the melody, presented by Broad's guitar, is carried along on a repeating keyboard scale. He develops his solo without loitering and displays clean, fluid lines which never abandon the melody.
One of the most satisfying aspects of Current is its variety of musical textures. "Swamp Witch" lays down an ominous bass groove, out of which Broad produces a grinding, blues-rock solo that barks, howls and spits before returning to the depths of the swamp. There is an epic quality to the brief "Rise and Shine," and Broad's long, crying notes suggest Pink Floyd's David Gilmour playing the soundtrack to the film Blade Runner (1982).
As impressive as his guitar playing is, programming and keyboards share center-stage, and Broad even sets his guitar to the side on "Never Coming Back," the second-longest track on Current. The pretty keyboard riff, big drum beat and darkly anthemic synth melody could almost be a wordless creation of The Cure, and is a highlight of the album.
A churning bass sound, almost didgeridoo-like, anchors "Emanations," the most overtly jazz-like number on the disc. Broad solos in a refined, melodic manner which, on a superficial level, is suggestive of Pat Metheny, although Broad's soloing style is slightly more angular and tarter. The closer, "Nu Sounds," has an underlying club groove, with a heavy bass bottom and swirling synth setting the stage for Broad's most unfettered guitar solo of the set.
A solo project in the truest sense, Broad takes all the plaudits for an engaging and impressive debut. It would be fascinating, however, if his next project were to see him surrounded by like-minded musicians. Jack Broad has created music which is raw and earthbound one moment and spacey and atmospheric the next. His ability to successfully integrate ambient pop with guitar-based fusion excursions and juxtapose insistent rhythms—tribal and modern alike—marks him out as a talent worthy of wider recognition.
Reviewed by: MusicWeb Express 3000 (October 2008)
Sounding inspired by guitarists like Allan Holdsworth and Bill Connors, NYC area guitarist Jack Broad burns onto the scene with the 2008 CD release of Current. Described by the artist as being in the guitar-oriented, electronic, modern jazz/fusion genre, Current was produced, composed, programmed, performed, recorded and mixed completely by Broad. Having been taught in part by guitar greats such as John Abercrombie and Frank Gambale, Broad wears his influences well on Current while adding in some unique and favorable instrumental e-jazz touches all his own .
JazzRock-Radio. com:
"Jack, very solid material, been playing it ALL day yesterday and today at work on repeat and I am totally digging it! Really grows on ya with variety of compositions that are quickly engaging. I am gonna play it on my next show at JazzRock-Radio. com for sure!"
~ John W Patterson, JazzRock-Radio. com
Contemporaryjazz.com:
Try It Out Tuesdays offers a free full MP3 of an artist. Today’s track is from guitarist Jack Broad. Drumolator at The Forum recently asked if there are any fusion fans. It’s been a popular post. There are a number of jazz fans who miss that rock-jazz sound. Fusion fans, as well as fans of jazztronica, will find something they like on Jack’s recording, Current. This track, “Emanations,” spotlights Broad’s electric guitar playing and has a bit of drum ‘n’ bass. Like every track on the CD, it was composed, programmed, recorded, and mixed by Broad.
www.contemporaryjazz.com/try-it-out-tuesdays-jack-broad/
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Thanks so much for the Add. Your playing is very imaginative, as are your compositions. We enjoyed it very much. We wish you the very best in your career.
We hope you and your friends enjoy our music, too. We've just added four new compositions and two new blogs about Umano.
It's a pleasure having you among our friends! Onward and Upward with Music! Thom & Lorry Gambino New York, New York
Hey Jack, now i'm back in France, but still in NY mood!! Yeah was great fun to be together there the other day.It seems to go the good way with the axe, we'll see, i'm really excited about it!.For now i'll listen to CURRENT, will go back to you soon. Let's stay connected!
What up Mr Broad, I did my first gig with the AxFx without a cab on stage, just the wedge and it killed. I'll be in Brooklyn full time on the 13th of April, lets jam...
Jack,
just listened to your album. Lot's of great stuff there! Amazing guitar work and some really cool compositions-Never coming back is a great tune!
jostein(representing the JMJ-trio)
