We hold the conviction there is a bright future for the 4-string acoustic mandolin. Chord-melody playing, the signature Django "snap," and vibrato are only three of the many reasons this instrument needs to be taken seriously. We'd like to promote the untapped potential in the single-course, mandolin family instrument. The world is already blessed with the understated sophistication of the tenor guitar, and our very own fabulous Jazzbo, made by Arrow Guitar & Mandolin innovator, Paul Lestock.

We intend to pursue advancing another instrument in between.

Stay tuned!
(Single course, and in fifths, that is...)

Listen to a Jazzbo with Kent Armstrong Humbucker p/u run directly through a Presonus TubePre preamp: Sound file

Posted by Ted at 10:50 AM

October 22, 2005 | Christmas Carols

Christmas is coming, and it's not just the goose that's getting fat... Our broadening list of mandolin Christmas Music CD wants now includes Emory Lester's 2005 release, "Christmas Carols."
Emory plays his signature model EL Mandolin by one of our favorite builders, innovative craftsman and all around nice guy, Dale Ludewig. Dale brings a whole new meaning to the word "man of color!"
Look for an upcoming review of Emory's CD here, well in time for you to get this before the Christmas season. If you can't wait that long, buy it here:
Purchase from artist

Posted by Ted at 11:36 AM

October 19, 2005 | Rigel, How?

Having returned from a recent road trip to Cambridge, Vermont, JazzMando staff journalists debunk common myths about the manufacturing process of Rigel mandolins:
*These are carved out of one solid piece of wood. (No, the sides are, though.)
*The finish on these is very thick. (No, 4 mls.! VERY thin.)
*They are ceramic. (No, some of the finest tonewoods in the world.)
*These are stamped out in highly automated, industrial fashion. (No, tremendous amounts of hand labor!)
*They only finish in butt-ugly colors. (No, just the ones that go through the JazzMando Merchandise Center. Tobacco-burst and Cremona are hands-down best sellers...)

Read our exclusive report: How to Make a Rigel Mandolin.

Posted by Ted at 08:46 AM

October 17, 2005 | Swing Cafe

New England Jazz Guitarist and Berklee-bred Bandleader, Gerry Beaudoin has remastered a fabulous compilation of jazz favorites, Swing Cafe. Special treat, sports fans: the addition of jazz mandolin innovator, David Grisman in 7 out of the 12 selections!

Embedded in the charter of the JazzMando mission is promoting the regular appearance of mandolin in mainstream acoustic jazz ensembles; this recording is another fine example of how mandolin BELONGS in string band jazz. Grisman's concept of fluid line is a laboratory of candy-coated tone and phrasing.

Special thanks to Gerry for giving the mandolin this opportunity!

Read our review, and find out where to acquire this recommended CD...

Also, head's up on a terrific project in the oven, partnering up with Gerry, jazz violinist virtuoso/wunderkind Aaron Weinstein.

Stay tuned!

Posted by Ted at 11:26 AM

October 06, 2005 | When Worlds Collide

When Gypsy Jazz legend and jazz innovator Django Rheinhardt made his American tour in 1946, his stops in the mid-western towns of Minneapolis, Omaha, and Lincoln have been documented. What has not been recorded, a subsequent side-trip to Lawrence, Kansas, where negotiations for a future "Blue Ridge Mountain Gypsy Boys" tour east with Bluegrass innovator, Bill Monroe broke down. Reinhardt quipped, "Oui, la musique de Bluegrass peut etre confortable, mais je ne pourrais pas traiter les combinaisons de bavoir... Meme un bohemien a des normes." (Yes, Bluegrass music may be comfortable, but I could not deal with the bib overalls... Even a Gypsy has standards.)

Tristement, sa perte...

Pictured: Bill Monroe (Father of Bluegrass), Ninine Tichenor (Grandfather of mandolin web author pioneer and celebrity), and Django Rheinhardt (Father of Gypsy Jazz).

View image

Quel est un coup de hache de G ?

Django and Bill in "le Pompe?"
Imagine: together they'd romp...
A two-fingered G-chop
In High Mountain Bebop.
As "rubes" at Rue Monge swing and stomp.

Posted by Ted at 11:01 AM