Sugar Hill Records is releasing "Live Duets" the second collaboration of mandolin masters Chris Thile and Mike Marshall, as they ramp up for another live tour. Unbelievably proficient, we mortals could only dream of playing this well, and this CD does not disappoint.

Read our review.

Look for the CD January 24, 2006; pre-release Purchase

Chris and Mike Tour Dates

Posted by Ted at 09:12 AM

December 29, 2005 | Resolutions for 2006

What are your New Year's Resolutions this year? Ours include the completion of a Jazz Mandolin Method Book (est. Spring 2006) by Mel Bay. "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin, 20835BCD" is done and awaiting final proofing at the publisher. (More on this soon, hopefully!...)

We are also working on underwriting some musical events and educational opportunities dedicated to promoting Jazz Mandolin. In the past we've contributed to Mandofest, Americana Music Academy workshops, Jazz in June, Rigelfest, and the Plucked String Foundation. This year we're lining up exciting events to promote appearances by artists such as Mike Marshall, Hamilton de Holanda, and Don Stiernberg. Also in store are cooperative efforts in new mandolin designs with some of the 21st Century's most talented mandolin builders.

You can be a part of this force with your contributions and purchases in our JazzMando Merchandise Center. Pick up some cool signature apparel, Ear Warmer, shirts, strings, or picks today. All profits go toward promoting the art of Jazz Mandolin.

Happy New Year from all of us at JazzMando!

Posted by Ted at 07:44 AM

December 22, 2005 | Free Christmas MP3

The staff at JazzMando wants to wish everyone around the world a Merry Christmas and best wishes this holiday season. For your entertainment, the site administrator has recorded a unique solo mandolin version of "Silent Night" on his signature Blue-burst CT-110. Feel free to pass this along to friends and family.

Listen Silent Night

Posted by Ted at 09:26 PM

December 20, 2005 | Rigel's New Website!

Something old, something new. Something borrowed, something blue.
Well at least ours is, the banner Blue-burst Rigel CT-110 graphic that permeates the JazzMando site...

We have a "wedding" announcement of our own, the "marriage" of Rigel Instruments' website with the latest in web technology; something old is now something new, complete with state-of-the-art sound and video files. The "borrowed" part is that some of the text from our site has been incorporated, as well as some of the wordsmiths from our staff have been employed for some of the new prose. (Who better to talk "Rigel" than us Rigel zealots?)

And of course the "blue" is the signature JazzMando Blue-burst CT-110 that started our relationship with one of today's most innovative companies producing mandolins. Congratulations to Pete Langdell, Peter Mix, and the fine craftsman in Cambridge, Vermont.

We can't wait to see what you have in store for us in the New Year!

Visit the site.

Posted by Ted at 04:30 PM

December 10, 2005 | Swamp Cat

Here Kitty, Kitty...

Joel Eckhaus announces his latest creation, the Earnest " Swamp Cat" 4 or 5-string electric mandolin. Designed originally for Barry Mitterhoff of "Hot Tuna," this bolt-on maple neck and hardtail bridge beauty would be perfect for the blues, ethnic, turbo-charged bluegrass, and you guessed it: smokin' hot Jazz!

Attention to bold, bright tone and sustain because of the 14.5" scale, Joel uses swamp ash in the body (you know, like they use for baseball bats...) for that Telecaster-like "spank." (You won't say "no" to crack with the tone you'll get out of this instrument...)

Single coil or double pickup, it comes standard with rosewood fingerboard, and black or translucent blonde. (Custom finishes available).

For more information:
Swamp Cat

Word also has it Joel is conjuring up a special Jazz archtop mando for 2006 that really has the Jazzmando staff squealing with anticipation. You heard it here first!!

Posted by Ted at 11:23 AM

December 07, 2005 | JM Headbands

North of the equator and cold? Shiver me timbers; have we got the ultimate solution, the JazzMando Logo Aspen Polar Fleece Headband! Help support this site and our ability to bring you articles, reviews, Tips and Tricks, and Free Exercise Downloads by purchasing a few of these:
JazzMando logo Aspen Polar Fleece Headband.

Stamp out brain freeze...

Posted by Ted at 11:14 AM

December 03, 2005 | Old Djoe Clark

Tis the season to be jolly. And materialistic and blatantly self-promotional. We choose to be NO exception, with Christmas gift ideas for the hopeless MAS addict...

Maybe you can't afford a Loar, or even a Rigel 'Gypsy Q' Q-95 is outside of your budget (at least for the next few weeks), but you can always suggest some items to your family and friends for your Christmas tree out of the JazzMando Merchandise Center.

Our latest cool gift idea is the JazzMando "Old Djoe Clark" Shirt. Don we now our gray apparel (or at least, kind of off-white):

Click: Latest outstanding JazzMando shirt!

As convenient as a mouse click and a credit card, let's make your Christmas shopping, or your own wish list that much more accessible. Just grap the URL's and mail them to family and friends! We still have a stock of the Collector's Edition Shirt, and you can always stock up on strings and picks. Who knows, maybe Santa is up for a Rigel, too! (We've got a cool demo Rigel 'Jethro' looking for a home.)

Posted by Ted at 09:32 AM