PT Gazell
Jazz
(This artist performs in duo)
The Benny Goodman of the harmonica
Neither his phrasing, nor his melodic ideas or his dazzling improvisations are emulated when it comes to interpreting Nat King Cole, Louie Jordan, Ben Webster or Wes Montgomery standards.
Even though he started playing in his teens, nothing predestined PT to become a professional musician in his thirties.
“Pace Yourself”, his first opus, established him as a studio musician in Nashville, Tennessee. Then with “Swingin’ Easy… Hittin’ Hard”, the critics compared him to Benny Goodman. PT was in
In Europe, the American performs with Czech guitarist Marek Rejhon, whose playing is inspired by Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian.
References:
- Pete Pederson Lifetime Achievement Award 2021 from the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH, USA)
- Nominated for the 2016 Grammy Awards (“Best instrumental jazz” and “Best sound engineering”)
- Nominated for the 2011 Grammy Awards (“Best instrumental jazz”)
- Cited 8th among the 20 best harmonicists of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine (USA) .
CD: "Swingin' Easy... Hittin' Hard" (2005)
“Swinging’ Easy… Hitting’ Hard” (MissMaxi Records), PT Gazell’s second CD, is an exciting collection of swing, ballads and standards. The instrumentation of acoustic bass, drums, and hollow body electric guitar creates a unique musical blend with a tight, swinging drive.
PT’s distinctive sound and phrasing on the diatonic harmonica soar over these grooves with feel and verve. His virtuoso playing is flawless and his band, “The Side Effects”, is rock solid. The occasional addition of vibes gives the right flavour to this tasteful album.
“Swingin’ Easy… Hittin’ Hard” shows a musician at the top of his game.
VIDEO: "A smooth one" (Goodman - 1956)
More videos available on YouTube…
VideO: "BROADWAY" (BIRD-MCRAE-WOODE - 1940)
PT Gazell: his life, his work...
PT GAZELL: a master !
- Benny Goodman would have embraced him because PT swings that hard. (Jazz Aficionado, USA)
- This is sweet harp playing at it’s best ! (Charlie McCoy, musician and Jazz Hall of Fame member)
- PT’s music is for jazz and music lovers alike. (Rob Paparozzi, The Blues Brothers Review)
- Superb taste and playing. (Jazz Times, USA)
- Plenty of warm jazz and sensitive work. (Jazz Weekly, USA)
- His playing invites comparisons with jazz masters such as Sonny Rollins. (All Music, USA)
- Words are insufficient in trying to convey the grace of PT’s playing. (Amazon, USA)
- Gems of nuance, emotion and virtuosity. (hunterharp.com, USA)
- PT Gazell is a master diatonic player ! (harmonica.com, USA)
“Blues is too jazz what yeast is to bread: without it, it’s flat.” (Carmen Mc Rae)
