By Bill Meredith
Every Wednesday is Frank Vignola Guitar Night at the Birdland Theater in New York City, which allows the stellar guitarist (for the likes of Ringo Starr, Donald Fagen, Joey DeFrancesco, Jane Monheit, the New York Pops and more) to display all facets of his instrument within jazz.
Tonight (March 26), Vignola also gets to celebrate with, and say thanks to, an influential guitar forefather. Guitarist Gene Bertoncini’s 88th birthday party will feature both players, along with fellow guitarists John Pizzarelli, Pasquale Grasso and a special appearance by vocalist Melissa Stylianou with the regular rhythm section of pianist Ted Rosenthal, bassist Gary Mazzaroppi and drummer Alex Raderman.
Bertoncini’s nylon-stringed acoustic guitar playing spans more than five decades, and practically every style, as evidenced by recording and stage credits that include Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Astrud Gilberto, Bette Midler, Luciano Pavarotti, Chet Baker and Wayne Shorter.
“Gene Bertoncini is one of a kind,” said Bennett. “When you see and hear Gene Bertoncini, you are in the presence of an exceptionally creative artist. Every performance I have seen and heard has been a masterpiece. He is completely original, and is the greatest artist of his instrument.”
The octogenarian guitarist also has recordings under his own name that go back more than five decades, and has paid his knowledge forward by teaching at institutions like the Eastman School of Music, New York University and William Paterson University.
As for Vignola, he’s recorded more than 30 albums as a leader and published more than 20 instructional books and videos. But the 59-year-old guitarist has also learned that playing the instrument and all-terrain vehicles don’t necessarily mix well. In May of 2017, he was seriously injured when thrown from an ATV.
Friend and fellow guitar wizard Tommy Emmanuel warned online that Vignola might not be able to play guitar again months later. Yet having recovered over the course of only a year, Vignola has extra reason to celebrate while hosting Bertoncini on his special night. Visit gene-bertoncini.com for more.
Photo by Jim Eigo.
