Finally, Well-Deserved Kudos for Gene!

Those of you who follow New York Times jazz writer Ben Ratliff know that he can be a very tough critic.

But he was recently smitten as we all are by Gene Bertoncini’s masterful playing, and he said so in a beautiful piece in the March 5 edition (click here). Although Ratliff stopped in to see Gene’s recent performances at two NYC venues, LeMadeleine (solo) and Iridium (trio with bassist Sean Smith and drummer Chuck Redd), it was the LeMadeleine gig that captured his attention.

It was only a matter of time before one of the nation’s leading jazz critics discovered what Tritone campers have long known–that the guy who enjoys jamming with campers and accompanying vocalists, puts the guitarists through their paces in master classes, and tells the bad jokes is one of the finest jazz guitarists the world will ever know.

Tritone Bob

This entry was posted on March 10, 2008 at 9:45 pm and is filed under faculty. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “Finally, Well-Deserved Kudos for Gene!”

  1. Jazzbo Says:
    April 13, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    For those who miss Gene at Le Madeleine (which closed its doors permanently last month) here’s a little secret …Gene has been duo’ing with Jack Wilkins , at Bella Luna, ..For those who dont know about the great Jackster ..see http://www.jackwilkins.com and check out his recordings with Gene among others
    Anyway, Jack’s Tuesday night gig at Bella Luna is an amazing opportunity to hear Jack with the great guitar players of today…Gene, Bucky Pizzarelli (yes, this cat can still swing !) Howard ALden, carl barry, etc..
    last Tuesday night was Gene’s birthday and the bar was lined wall to wall with guitar players, Sitting in and swinging with Gene and jack were various greats including the extraordinary John Stowell.. What a party !.. If you are here in New York City on the last Tuesday of April you will catch Jack and Gene ..yet AGAIN ! Dont miss this

  2. Joe Tondu Says:
    April 23, 2008 at 11:43 am

    We heard the Great One in Evanston IL on Monday (04/21/0 8) at the Music Institute of Chicago. Gene captivated the close to full house with 2 hours of solo guitar, several droll quips, at least one joke and a touching vocal number for an encore.

    Earlier that afternoon Gene led a clinic for four promising young guitar students who were delighted (as were their parents) with this jazz gentleman’s elegant style.

    Thanks to Tritoner John Buccheri for organizing this event.

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