Announced Identity of MYSTERY JAZZ STEELER!

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 5 May 2009 7:00 pm

OK, folks, here's a toughie for ya. Come on by and visit the Listening Library at www.SteelGuitarJazz.com and see if you can figure out who this month's Mystery Jazz Steeler is. Once you're ready to cast your vote, click the link over there to return here to vote.

I'll give you a hint: it's not one of the big-name Nashville pros. Ok! That's all you're getting from me. Now GO!

www.SteelGuitarJazz.com

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 6 May 2009 10:13 am

Bump UP for Jazz!

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 6 May 2009 10:51 am

Definately his own man !! I can hear fragments of this or that and anyone who has ever played but it's always his own thing. I could have listened all night if there were more...certainly not a standard ending either !!

Regards, Paul

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 7 May 2009 6:59 pm

Did I make it too hard? Nah...!

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 9 May 2009 5:09 am

Only 9 votes? I'm gonna hafta pull the plug on this one soon...

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 9 May 2009 9:46 am

Since this is not Chicago (see Dailey) or Louisiana (see Long), can we vote more than once?

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 9 May 2009 10:14 am

If you knew who this was and what his rig was it would blow your mind. First, he's only been playing for three years. Second, he's not wearing finger picks. Third, what you are hearing is done on an E9th single neck guitar. Fourth, he is a master jazz guitar player who recently took up steel. That recording was done on an 8 inch speaker. This cat is going to make headlines in the steel community in the next two years. He IS a jazz player.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 9 May 2009 1:13 pm

If Ray Montee sees this, I'm in for it but didn't Jerry Byrd play through an eight inch speaker in the early years......

I used to play through five inch speakers...

eight of them to be more exact !! They were Bose replacements.

Regards, Paul $:\$ $:\$ $:\$

Dave Biller · Post by **Dave Biller** » 10 May 2009 8:20 am

Based on the recording and Kevin's description, it sounds like it could be my friend Mike Shefrin. He showed me a cool arrangement of "Stompin at the Savoy" on E9 with similar chord voicings when he and I were hanging out with Rick Price last year. It doesn't surprise me at all the Mike would be playing at this level, considering what an awesome musician he is. I would bet he's pickin' on that ZB that I know he loves!

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 11 May 2009 12:01 am

That's nice!

Don E. Curtis · Post by **Don E. Curtis** » 11 May 2009 12:17 pm

I never get any votes!
Don E.
Steel Owner

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 11 May 2009 3:19 pm

Last time I looked Don, you had 3% of the vote.

Was that you ??

Regards, Paul

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 11 May 2009 8:51 pm

The identity of this month's Mystery Jazz Steeler has now been announced! To see who it is, please visit the Listening Library at www.SteelGuitarJazz.com

Thanks!
Jimbeaux

Jan Jonsson · Post by **Jan Jonsson** » 11 May 2009 11:43 pm

This particular Mystery Steeler sure was a tough one to identify. Such great playing, and yet with a quite unique style. I'm really flattered that 7% of the voters thought I could play this good jazz steel.

Nice work, Mike! And many thanks to Jim for providing us with these nice musical challenges.

-- Jan

Mike Shefrin · Post by **Mike Shefrin** » 13 May 2009 6:59 am

Thanks everyone. For once I was actually able to identify who the mystery steeler was.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 13 May 2009 10:19 am

Good work, Mike! I'm impressed that you managed to unravel the E9th tuning in such a relatively short time, and that you adapted it to fit your requirements rather than proceeding down the usual path that newcomers to pedal steel - and to E9 in particular - so often take.

It was very refreshing!

Bob Taillefer · Post by **Bob Taillefer** » 13 May 2009 11:48 am

Excellent playing my friend!

Bob

Jerry Gleason · Post by **Jerry Gleason** » 13 May 2009 9:52 pm

That's great playing, Mike. I knew it had to be you (at least I knew it wasn't me...). Your lines are those of a solid jazz musician, not just a steel player who flirts with jazz. Very hip.

And thanks to you, Jim, for continuing to promote jazz steel guitar on your website.

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 14 May 2009 3:58 am

I considered Mike because he is such a great jazz guitarist, but I did think anyone could get the technique down so well in such a short time. Gongratulations Mike, you're amazing.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 14 May 2009 4:30 am

I might add (and I think I will!) that Mike has made most of this incredible progress on steel since dumping his computer!

Uh-oh...

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 14 May 2009 4:31 am

I considered Mike because he is such a great jazz guitarist, but I did think anyone could get the technique down so well in such a short time. Gongratulations Mike, you're amazing.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 14 May 2009 4:32 am

Now, where have I read that before...?

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 14 May 2009 6:50 am

Although I did vote for Mike at the start, I freel confess that it was because of Kevin's huge unveiled hint. I knew from reading the Forum that Mike only took up steel comparatively recently, and - although I've never heard him playing - that he's considered a fine jazz guitarist. Joining the dots was easy!

As I listened, I reflected that there wasn't a chance of ME playing like that after only three years on steel. It sounds as though Mike hasn't allowed any preconceptions to deflect him from playing what's in his head - he's just transferred it all to steel.

As I reflect still further, I realise that there's also very little chance of me playing like that NOW, thirty-three years after starting! Gerry has nailed it - they're real jazz lines he's playing, and I'm certain he'll be a front-rank jazz steel-player. Maybe he is already!

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 14 May 2009 8:05 am

Yes, Mike is gonna be a killer jazz steeler, just as he already is on guitar. Check out some of his guitar work here: http://www.ivanshefrin.com/mikesmusic.html

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 14 May 2009 8:46 am

Hmmmm... If he starts playing steel like he plays guitar on 'There's A Small Hotel', then we're all in serious trouble.....

Mike (or anyone): What guitar is that on the six-string clips?

The Steel Guitar Forum

Announced Identity of MYSTERY JAZZ STEELER!

Who is the Mystery Jazz Steeler for May 2009?

Announced Identity of MYSTERY JAZZ STEELER!

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