We came. We saw. We bought the shirt...

Sometimes, we dream of traveling exotic places and because of economics or schedule, the trip is just not immediately possible. Solution? Buy a shirt. You can get a pretty picture of a park in Paris, a gorgeous mountain landscape in Montana, or famous beach in the tropics on a shirt and just dream.

When MAS tries to get the better of us, as in the case of the 12 month wait on one of the new Clark JM series mandolins, the best distraction is to strut one of our cool new "Clark JM" T-shirts. These exotic Ash-colored short-sleeve, double-stitched fabric Hanes "Heavyweight", made of 100% preshrunk cotton, double needle sleeves and hem with shoulder to shoulder tape, are adorned with a terrific tilt view of the Clark JM, larger than life in four-color print. We're expecting a batch approximately July 14th, so if you want to preorder yours, you can be first in line when they ship out.

For less than $20 ($19.50), they come shipped prepaid to your USA mailbox. If you're one of those Big Guys that need an XXL, the extra fabric makes it $22.50, but you'll especially want to order yours early, as it seems we always run out of them first.

Check them out and use our handy online shopping cart:

Shirt Orders: Clark JM Commemorative Shirt

Posted by Ted at 06:21 AM

June 26, 2008 | Goodtime tenor banjo

Who'd thunk it, but one of the coolest discoveries made by our NAMM research team was the line of entry level banjos at the Deering booth, "Goodtime Banjos." Street-priced in the mid $400s, they offer a respectable birch/maple rim 4-string tenor banjo worthy of attention. Of course they are known world-wide for their prestigious high end product, but these beginner instruments are a serious contender for the banjo hobbyist looking for quality, American-made crafsmanship and rich, vibrant tone.

Goodtime Specs:
Tenor 19 Fret
Slender Rock Maple Neck
Birch and Maple Rim
Satin Finish
Adjustable Tailpiece
Geared Tuners
$479 suggested list price

Website: Deering Banjos

Posted by Ted at 10:51 AM

June 24, 2008 | Last Chance: Dogs Playing Mando

We're preparing to retire yet another shirt design destined to be a collector's item, our Dogs Playing Mandolins classic T. A different shirt with new art is in the works; but the DPM are available today in Small, Med, Large, X-large, and XX-large.

This is actually a reprint from a page out of the "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin" book (release date moved back to August), except it's in full color. Heads up--we have a very limited supply left, and since we're approaching peak festival season, you'll see us running out of certain sizes within days.

For ordering details and closeup, visit the JazzMando Merchandise Center: Dogs Playing Mandolin Shirt

Don't miss out!

Posted by Ted at 05:45 AM

June 21, 2008 | NAMM again

It's day two of the show for us, and we've had a few nice surprises. Didn't expect to actually get to try one of the new Eastman Giacomels, but there was a prototype, albeit one with a headstock logo miscue. Guess they ran out of Duct Tape. (Inside joke, nevermind if you don't get the Grisman connection...) The Eastman booth location made it heard to make any true sonic evaluation; way too much ambient hall noise, but let's just say they are bear a unique feel and response. We're hoping for a close up and intimate review in the future.

The new Collings A Oval are everything you'd expect of them. Warm, tubby sound, and the usual perfection in detail. It was great to meet Kim Warner of the Greencards in person, too. Great musician and nice guy.

We did run into Bill Bay (Pres. Mel Bay Publishing) at one of the "I'm not worthy" rooms at Gruhns Guitars the day before the show. Glad to hear the Mississipi floods aren't affecting them this time in Pacific, MO. He did say the "Getting into Jazz Mandolin" book was on tap. Just waiting for the presses, but probably won't make the June deadline as anticipated.

Heading back to the Sound to Earth booth this afternoon. Some amazing custom Webers there to spend quality time with.

Read more: Mandolin Cafe Report

Posted by Ted at 06:25 AM

June 19, 2008 | Summer NAMM 2008

Bags are packed and we're ready to camp out in the luxurious Downtown Hampton Inn in Nashville, TN for the 2008 NAMM Trade Show, June 20-22. After a three-year hiatus from the Music City (two years in Austin, one in Indianapolis) the exhibits are back after what many would argue was a mistake in moving. Ah, hindsight...

It's more of a broad industry show and not the greatest acoustic environment for auditioning instruments, but it's always great to witness new trends and hook up with old industry friends. We'll look forward to reports from our roving reporters, as well as pictorial documentary from the Site Administrator, Ted Eschliman who doubles as a columnist for Music Inc Magazine.

More to come...

Posted by Ted at 08:33 AM

June 17, 2008 | Clark JM Review

It's here, and though we haven't recorded audio samples for you just yet, the new Clark JM Two-point mandolin is truly the cat's pajamas. She played well even out of the box, and after some playing and caressing, continues to flower and blossom. For more pictures, read our latest review:
Clark JM Two-point Mandolin

Posted by Ted at 05:19 AM

June 15, 2008 | JP Charles 4-string

We've always had an affinity for 4-strings mandolins, but the recent acquisition of a Jean Paul Charles acoustic has been especially captivating. Built originally for friend and electric jazz mandolin pioneer Michael Lampert of some highly resonant Brazilian hardwoods, this flat top/arched back critter is a joy to play, and for its small size is deceptively rich in sound and character. It's very easy to play and runs the gamut of intimate and powerful in sonic capability.

Charles, a French ex-patriot has settled in Salvador Brazil where he repairs and builds bandolims and some unique high-quality original guitar, upright bass, and mandolin designs. A capable jazz musician himself, he's also recorded two amazing CDs in the late 80's we'd like to see distributed again.

Samples of the builder's playing can be heard on YouTube:
Tida Swing Part 1
Tida Swing Part 1

We're looking forward to hearing more from this builder!
Website: JP Charles Luthier
Contact Builder: Jean Paul Charles

Posted by Ted at 01:39 PM

June 13, 2008 | 50th Birthday

Special thanks to all of you who weighed in yesterday with kind words on the 50th Birthday of Site Administrator, Ted Eschliman. It's great to hear these words of encouragement; we hope to devote many more healthy years to the site mission of making mandolin mainstream through introducing jazz vocabulary.

Birthday Party.

Posted by Ted at 05:35 AM

June 11, 2008 | Rich DelGrosso

Consummate mandolin blues archivist, clinician, educator, and performer Rich DelGrosso has just revamped his website. If you're big on the history and music of blues 8-string innovators Yank Rachell and Charlie McCoy, you'll want to follow Rich's quarterly columns in Mandolin Magazine, and read his book "Mandolin Blues: from Memphis to Maxwell Street.

Also check out his recent recordings, "Get Outa My Bizness" and "Live From Bluesville."

Visit Website: Mandolin Blues

Posted by Ted at 08:04 PM

June 09, 2008 | New Header

You've probably noticed some new cosmetic changes on the website. Not too long ago, we revamped many of the section graphic icons to help you browse some of our older resource material, but the capstone is our new header, the crosscut view of the business end of the new signature Clark JM Mandolin.

We're in the process of an exhaustive written review. After our flowery report from last summer's look at one of the builder's regular stock Two-points we've had to dig up a whole new Thesaurus worth of superlatives for this lovely custom critter. The instrument is nothing short of amazing, but we'll weigh in formally with the offical word, soon.

Meantime, a little refreshing Cherry Cola-burst sip:

Read other reviews: JazzMando Builders for the 21st Century

Posted by Ted at 10:12 AM

June 07, 2008 | Bireli Technique

We love catching the monthly regular release of new videos at DjangoBooks.com. One that particularly inpsires is a stunning Bireli Lagrene performance of "Norwegian Dance". Though the screen shot is small, there is plenty of opportunity to observer the premier European jazz guitarist's "side to side" fretboard technique. Typical of his Django roots, we see him travel masterfully 12+ frets as he seamlessly emits a sense of melodic line. Most often, we're wired to think across the string, playing our scales and arpeggios crossing low string to high and reverse, but this approach takes us from 3rd fret to 15th in sixteenth notes.

Of course good fretboard familiarity helps, but the ability to shift positions is an art unto itself. You'll find very few who can demonstrate this so well.

View video: Bireli Lagrene "Norwegian Dance"

More: DjangoBooks Video Archive

Posted by Ted at 05:49 AM

June 05, 2008 | Continua Amizade

New from perennial favorite, Brazilian virtuoso bandolimist and composer, Hamilton de Holanda, a collaboration with pianist André Mehmari from Adventure Music, Contínua Amizade (Continuous Friendship). Though the two have played together a brief few years, their music intertwines and behaves as if they have grown up since children. They talk musically like an old married couple, finishing each others sentences and phrases.

The repertoire is an astounding collection of traditional favorites (Pixinguinha, Cavaquinho) and some artist originals, played flawlessly with deeply resounding emotion. Though this isn't the intense fusion rhythm section ensemble we've come to expect out of Hamilton, the two instruments project a flurry of notes, powerful energy contrasted by moments of subtle introspection. The unique intimate piano/mandolin duo setting affords them this vibrant, compelling dichotomy.

It's also not as "jazzy" as his previous endeavors, rather a richly classical approach, distinctly Brazilian with its inherent lush harmonic vocabulary and complex native rhythms. The performance is predictably masterful, executed in world-class precision and a calculating competence that never betrays its soul.

Selections:
1.) Rose (Rosa)
2.) News (Notíca)
3.) The Continuous Friendship Choro (Choro da Contínua Amizade)
4.) It Happens (Acontece)
5.) Underage (Di Menor)
6.) Black Choro (Choro Negro)
7.) The Dream (O Sohno)
8.) With Serjao (Enchendo O Latoão)
9.) Live Between Waltz (Vivo Entre Valsas)
10.) Streetwise Baiao (Baião Malandro)
11.) Love Theme - Cinema Paradiso

Bonus Tracks
12.) Black Choro
13.) News
14.) The Continuous Friendship Choro

Purchase: Continua Amizade

Posted by Ted at 08:08 AM

June 03, 2008 | June Mandolin Sessions

The June Mandolin Sessions online issue is out. This time in our Jazz Mandology column, we tackle the issue of chording in a mult-part series "Fresh Comping." Part 1 is the flavorful Minor 9th chords and some contextual voicings you might want to add to your accompaniment vocabulary. Includes some audio examples recorded for the "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin" book Mel Bay has scheduled for release later this month.

Read article: Fresh Comp'n Part 1: Bottom of the (Minor) 9ths

Need to get caught up? Check out the MandolinSessions Jazz Mandology Archives

Posted by Ted at 06:05 AM

June 01, 2008 | HHTV

Special thanks to Marcos Portinari for clueing us into his "Hamilton de Holanda TV," a webcast library of some incredible, spontaneous videography of the one of Brazil's greatest musicians, world renown bandolimist Hamilton de Holanda. Marcos reports "The most recent news: we created on our website, an independent TV channel. We call it HHTV, videos from diferent places. Check it out--it is very funny; for the ones who understand Portuguese we are posting news episodes every 10th, 20th and 30th of the month. Next episode will be HAMILTON and PAQUITO D'RIVERA in a Portugal concert, May 24. Stay tuned--we hope to put translations."

This is truly amazing stuff! View Webcast

Also, in case you missed it, there are some great vids on YouTube: Mulato Beat

All Hamilton. All the time!

Posted by Ted at 08:00 PM