Had the privilege of sitting down to lunch with Chris Griffiths, founder of Garrison Guitars at the Austin airport following the recent Summer NAMM convention. We've been following the innovative company the last several NAMM shows as they applied their Patented Bracing Technology to a series of flat top mandolins and recently a well-received line of Octave mandos.

Of course we were curious about the purchase of Garrison Guitars by Gibson earlier this month. The word is Garrison will continue to make the mandolins under the Garrison name. We talked with one of their product specialists on the show floor about the Octaves; evidently a major marketing switch is ahead. Seems they've been struggling to come up with the perfect string gauging on these, and have settled on an "identity" switch.

At the smaller 18" scale, the instruments are at their best tuned CGDA, mandola tuning (octave tuning ineffectively more flabby). Soon all the models will be last as Mandolas, rather than Octaves.

We wish Chris and the gang the best!

View website: Garrison Guitars and mandolins.

Posted by Ted at 06:11 AM

July 28, 2007 | Pictures from Austin

As promised, the latest in mandolin relevant exhibits at the Summer NAMM show in Austin, TX. The highlights include the opportunity to hear Will Patton and Paul Glasse play together (Will's latest recording will include some of Paul!), the new Mix F5 mandolins, some cool Collings Mandolins, and a prototype Eastman Oil Varnish F5.

Yes, couldn't leave the show without some kind of new toy. Picked up a new fiddle to learn on from the Century Strings booth (also makers of the Draleon Royale Gipsy mandolins)! The neighbors will be closing their windows this summer!

See our pictorial report at the Mandolin Cafe Website: Summer NAMM

Posted by Ted at 06:21 PM

July 26, 2007 | Ted and Pablo Review

We've had a busy summer reviewing some terrific music. Our latest entry, Ted and Pablo's "Transcontinental Music Express" from temporary Brazilian transplant and JazzMando fave Ted Falcon, is a worthy addition to anybody's CD library. Harmonica and mandolin is a beautiful combination; throw in some lush Brazilian harmony and exotic rhythm, a dash of good writing, and a heaping helping of some amazing Brazlian musicians and you have the recipe for some exciting music.

Having recorded with the likes of David Grisman, Mike Marshall, Ben E King, and Suzanne Vega, Falcon rises to the occasion with his new musical partner Pablo Fagundes.

Read review Transcontinental Music Express

More in-depth reviews from JazzMando: Spotlight: New Artist Recordings

Posted by Ted at 07:39 AM

July 24, 2007 | Summer NAMM 2007

Packing the bags and heading for the summer NAMM show. Leaving hot and sticky Nebraska for even hotter and stickier Austin, Texas. We're looking forward to seeing some old friends and new gear at a somewhat lighter traffic event than the winter show, but the chance to see Vermont mandolin dynamo, Will Patton at the New-MAD booth, and a strong possibility of an appearance by another jazz trail-blazer, Austin native, Paul Glasse. You heard it here first, the two have booked studio time for some amazing collaboration on Will's next CD.

Speaking of New-MAD, the world debut of F5 #1 AND #2 is creating a stir. Also introduced will be the new red-black Kevlar weave construction. Rumors of a yellow-black in progress.

Look out Killer Bee!

We'll have our reporters in the aisles covering the news & taking pictures of the latest.

Posted by Ted at 05:57 AM

July 22, 2007 | New from Don Stiernberg, "Home Cookin'"

Until this week, we'd been eagerly awaiting the latest Don Stiernberg installment. Some might stand in line for the latest Harry Potter book (or movie), but we got just as pumped with anticipation checking the mailbox for his latest CD "Home Cooking!" The neighbors were quite curious about the Stiernberg costumes we were "Donning" at the special Midnight Party. The guys on staff in particular kept squabbling over who got to be dressed as handsome bassist, Jim Cox.

Well, we were not disappointed. Not to spoil the ending for you, nobody dies in this sequel (the CD that is), but this latest recording is filled with many exciting twists and turns.

We would have expected nothing less.

Read review: Don Stiernberg: Home Cookin'

Posted by Ted at 06:39 AM

July 20, 2007 | Ted and Pablo CD online

News from Ted Falcon, solo mandolin/violin artist, now featured in the amazing duo with brilliant Brazilian harmonicist, Pablo Fagundes, Ted and Pablo. Their impressive new CD "Transcontinental Music Express" is now available online at Elderly Music and CD Baby. We're on our third spin and planning a review of this excellent project soon.

Scheduled are some great opportunities to hear them in concert in shows coming up in California to promote the new release:

"Backstage Los Angeles" Television Program July 19th, 2007 1:30 p.m. Los Angeles, CA, USA The two are scheduled for a televison performance on "Backstage Los Angeles", a regional television program that boasts 500,000 viewers.

KPFK Global Village, Radio Program 90.7 FM July 27th, 2007 11:00am Los Angeles, CA with host Sergio Mielniczenko.

Coffee Gallery Backstage July 27th 08:00 PM - 2029 N. Lake, Altadena, California 91001 (Tickets $15.00) Reservations/Information: (626) 398-7917

La Ve Lee August 8 08:30 PM 12514 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, California 91604 (Tickets $10.00)

SPAH - Workshop August 15 2 sets at 8:30 and 10:30pm Brookfield, WI, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - $10.00 and 2 drink minimum.

Workshop - Cromatic Harmonic in Brasilian Music, (Society for the preservation and advancement of the harmonica). SPAH August 16 8:00 PM Pablo Fagundes and Ted Falcon Show's Brookfield, WI, milwaukee, Wisconsin -

Ted and Pablo CD Release in the desert! August 18th and 19th 2 shows & Workshop (more info soon...) August 18 08:00 PM - The High Desert Center for the Arts 15615 8th Street (between C & D Streets), Victorville, California 92305 - $12

LACMA Los Angeles County Museum of Art August 25 5:00 PM5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90036 (Free admission) Tel. 323-857-6000; 323-857-0098 (TDD) Los Angeles Choro Ensemble with special guest Pablo Fagundes

Artist Website: Ted Falcon

Posted by Ted at 10:53 PM

July 18, 2007 | New-MAD F5 Debut

Exclusive new pics of the latest from New Millennium Acoustic Design (New-MAD), the introduction of the first F5. This one just received its burst and clearcoat yesterday and will be ready for the Summer NAMM show in Austin Texas next week. (Yes, that is site author pictured in the 5th panel, bald guy on the right...)

We look forward to hanging at the booth with company President Peter Mix and his wife Cynthia, as well as two of the planet's best jazz mandolinists, Will Patton and Paul Glasse as they demo these incredible new instruments. Our very own Mix A5 continues to dazzle and impress, and will also be there on display.

Hopefully we'll be able to snag some audio or video of this amazing meeting of two jazz greats!

View pictures: New-MAD F5 #001

Posted by Ted at 06:14 AM

July 16, 2007 | Dog Days of Summer

It's hot here in the Midwest, corporate headquarters for the JazzMando Research Facilities and 'ii V7 I' Testing Center. There's nothing more appropriate for the mid-July "Dog Days" temperatures and humidity than a cool white, 100% cotton short-sleeved T-shirt.

Speaking of dogs and shirts, how about sporting a "Dogs Playing Mandolins Shirt" (pardon the shameless plug) from our Merchandise Center ? These have been a huge hit at festivals, and you get the chance to support the site and all the free lessons and exercise downloads we offer with your purchase.

Take advantage of the same-day shipping and have one ready to wear for your next festival!

Purchase information: Dogs Playing Mandolins

Site Author at the Great Wall in China, June 2007

Posted by Ted at 03:52 PM

July 14, 2007 | Hot Club Sandwich

One of our favorite Gypsy Jazz string bands is Seattle-based "Hot Club Sandwich," and they seem to be getting attention lately. The significance to you and I is their full-time use of a mandolinist, and a darned good one at that, Matt Sircely, who currently writes for Fretboard Journal and Srings plays with the bluegrass band, the Bitteroots, and recently toured with the New York based Klezmer Mountain Boys. (He also assisted with classes in this summer's Mandolin Symposium again.)

In addition to their Django jazz "Hot Club" stylings, HCS also infuses some Mexican folk songs and Brazilian Choro into their repertoire.

Reat the article from Hillsboro Argus

Visit the band's website: Hot Club Sandwich

CD Purchase Information

Posted by Ted at 05:20 PM

July 12, 2007 | DGQ in rare East Coast Appearances

Now this sounds like fun for you East Coast Grisman fans! The hottest David Grisman Quintet in 25 years, featuring recent addition and one of our favorite jazz guitarists, Frank Vignola, will be playing their first shows in the East, including two New York boat trips and Vermont:

Two special boat cruises...
NYC ROCKIN' THE RIVER CRUISES
THURSDAY JULY 19
NYC, NY 212-630-8888
42nd St. & the Hudson River at Circle Line Pier 83
7:00PM & 9:30PM
website information

NYC "Rocking' the River Cruise" is a scenic tour and live music event in an intimate and friendly concert setting. Sail past the Statute of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge and the world's greatest skyline - with Grisman and VIgnola.

Also, a chance to see them in Vermont...
THE GREEN AT SHELBURNE MUSEUM
SATURDAY JULY 21
SHELBURNE, VT 802-652-0777
4:30PM
website information

Posted by Ted at 05:41 AM

July 11, 2007 | Mike Marshall Videos

D'addario Strings is featuring artist interviews on their website, and one of their endorsers is a favorite around here and often talked about, Mike Marshall. These are informal sessions, and great fun to watch.

Call up the video page on D'addario's website and do a search for "Mike Marshall."

Web Link: D'addario Media Library

Currently there are five video interviews, including a brilliant performance on mandocello, and subjects ranging from EXP strings to a whimsical session on cooking. Also, two lessons, one on mandolin, the other on "switching instruments." Mike is an amazing musician, incredible to listen to in his voluminous discography, and even more impressive in person, a perpetually energetic aura around him while he plays.

Posted by Ted at 05:19 AM

July 09, 2007 | Ken Sager: Here

We just finished a review for Salt Lake City multi-instrumentalist Ken Sager's new recording "Here." It's not too hard to find information on better-known talent; lots of opportunity to gather reconnaissance on (relatively) popular names, so we enjoy the opportunity to promote someone you may not have hear of yet. Ken is a prime example of amazing local talent, undiscovered by the broader masses, but certainly worthy of more widespread attention.

He's recorded a respectable collection of bluegrass standards and some broader "Roots" acoustic music very much worthy of acquiring for your library. Read the review and buy the CD!

CD Review: Here

Purchase information

Highly recommended!

Posted by Ted at 06:25 AM

July 07, 2007 | New from Ted & Pablo

We've just been alerted that JazzMando fave & Novo Choro master Ted Falcon is now releasing his latest CD, Transcontinental Music Express, a collaboration with renown Brazilian harmonica star, Pablo Fagundes. His brilliant debut solo release, Memórias do Brasil, continues to be a favorite around the JazzMando water cooler. (click link for review) From what we hear, he & Pablo knocked 'em dead at the recent California Mandolin Symposium, of which Ted has been an integral behind-the-scenes part of since its inception. Nice to see him featured on stage, this year!

Back from a six-month visit to Brazil where the two recorded, Ted and native Brazilian Pablo are preparing for a supporting US tour of their incredible new work, a collection of Brazilian acoustic music including choro, samba and Forró, and a journey into some American roots music such as blues, jazz and rock.

We're looking forward to hearing this very soon!

Collaboration website: Ted and Pablo

Artist website: Ted Falcon

View: CD Cover Art

Posted by Ted at 06:24 AM

July 05, 2007 | Over 400

Pardon the chest-thumping, but we've reached a bit of a milestone here at JazzMando. We periodically check in on our site web traffic, and are proud to announce the month of June was a record breaker, averaging over 400 unique visitors a day (415). Our goal was 200 visitors a day just last year, and we've more than doubled that.

What started as a personal journey for site author and hack multi-instrumentalist Ted Eschliman, documenting his own personal pilgrimage into jazz fretboard exploration, has now become a major force in sending out the "word." Mandolins are terrific for jazz.

We've helped promote 15 small but world class builders, 15 in-depth CD reviews, just finished up with our 22nd MandolinSessions article, and well over 100 pages of Tips & Trips, exercises, essays, and articles.

Special thanks to our sponsors (click a few banners while your here). And of course, thanks for all who've participated, submitted news, encouragement and feedback, and continue to come back and ask for more.

Now go practice your Jazz Pentatonics...

Posted by Ted at 08:51 AM

July 02, 2007 | Mowry Wowie(s)

We first made contact with Oregon builder, Andrew Mowry last winter. He was in the process of assembling and design of a beautiful jazz-friendly two-point mandolin, with us in mind. We've been anticipating its arrival ever since, but little did we know Andrew and Wife Sarah had something else in the oven...

Congratulations proud parents, and welcome to the world newborn son Will Mowry. Alas, another opportunity to leave his mark in the world in addition to his highly regarded instruments!

Speaking of regards, read our new rave review on this instrument:

Andrew Mowry Two-point

No financial interest here, but if you are in the market for a truly amazing mandolin, contact us (really) soon before we have to box it up for its return, and we'll hook you up with this world-class ax. We're going to hold off as long as we can (having way too much fun!); it would be great to find a good home among our readers.

Great for Andrew, too. Them diapers is 'spensive!

Posted by Ted at 06:23 AM