Page 18 - SPIRE Apr-Jun 2022 2nd Issue DIGITAL

Often featured on National Public Radio,
Frank Vignola has also become a familiar
figure on Public Television, featured
previously on three popular shows,
including the heavily programmed
Tommy Emmanuel and Friends. His own
PBS special, “Four Generations of Guitar”
produced by Peter Berkow, premieres in
the 2015 season as part of the
forthcoming 13 episode series “Music
Gone Public”, where he will be joined by
special guests, Vinny Raniolo, Bucky
Pizzarelli, Joe Craven and Tommy
Emmanuel.
Vignola has recorded over 30 CD’s, 7
DVD’s and has been a guest on hundreds
of recordings. He has written 23 music
instructional books for Mel Bay
Publications. He has also produced eight
full length video teaching courses for
Truefire.com. His on-line Guitar Sherpa
private lessons and workshop courses
continue to thrive. He has and continues
to conduct clinics, masterclasses and
workshops at music universities all over
the world including Julliard and Boston
University.
How did you meet and become one of
Les Paul’s 5 most admired guitarists?
I first met Les in 1985 when he emerged
from retirement, performing weekly at Fat
Tuesday's in downtown New York City.
We were friends for many years. In 2000,
he asked me to join his band and we had
many years of fun performing every
Monday night at the Iridium in New York
City. He was a good guy. I miss him.
You’ve recorded and toured with some
renowned artists over the years. Which
musician or musicians did you enjoy
collaborating with the most and any
memorable moments you’re willing to
share?
Tommy Emmanuel is a blast to work with.
Bucky Pizzarelli was all class and many of
the jazz icons are memorable especially,
pianist John Lewis and saxophonist, Billy
Mitchell. Lately,
1 6 | T H E S P I R E C E N T E R
working with Tessa Lark has been an
amazing experience. She is one of the Given your expansive career, were
greatest musicians I have ever had the there any intense marathon sessions
pleasure of working with. Working with where you were up all-night WWW.FRANKVIGNOLA.COM
her has really opened up my repertoire recording and rewriting? Could you TRUEFIRE.COM/CHANNELS/JAZZ-STUDIO/H1793
and gave me a vehicle to accompany describe that process and how the WWW.BIGJERSEYGUITARCAMPS.COM/
on my old Gibson archtop. end result made you feel about your WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/C/FRANKVIGNOLAGUITAR
work. WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/FRANKVIGNOLAGUITAR/
On top of working with some Yes, of course. Now, it's getting up WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FRANKVIGNOLAMUSIC/
incredible names, you’ve also played super early and getting it done rather
some amazing venues. The Teatro than late at night. I have pulled all TWITTER.COM/THEFRANKVIGNOLA
Olimpico (“Olympic Theatre”), Lincoln nighters in the studio many times. I OPEN.SPOTIFY.COM/TRACK/5K4OMIL4OKI9O5M8QZIX0B
Center, Sydney Opera House, and also have driven through the night to
Carnegie Hall, just to name a few. get to the next gig many times. I loved
every minute of it.
What are some of your favorite
performance venues and why? Who have been some of your favorite
Well Carnegie Hall is extremely special studio engineers and producers to
and the Sydney Opera House was work with and?
amazing, but I especially love the Blue Gene Paul (Les' son) and Dae Bennett
Note in New York City. The sound is are two icons that I have spent
fabulous and the stage has been graced countless hours with in the studio.
by just about every jazz icon you can Producers Carl Jefferson and Joel Dorn
name. It's very special. are two of my favorites that I have had
the pleasure of spending many hours
Just being alive is a gift. with in the studio. Good times.
Playing music is even You started the Big Jersey Guitar
more of a gift given the Camp that pairs aspiring guitar
students with renowned instructors.
fact I almost had to have The Camp has grown into an How has teaching music impacted you as
international project with locations a musician?
my arm amputated. around the world. What inspired you I love to teach. Since everyone learns
to start these camps and how does it differently and a large majority of my
make you feel to see it grow over the students are hobbyists, I am always
Cover or an original, what is your years? challenged to find ways to teach someone. I
favorite song to perform live? After being hired to teach at many have found that learning songs is the best
Covers.
camps worldwide, I noticed there was way to learn jazz or any style or genre of
very little jamming going on. Lots of music.
I had read that you were in a terrible
ATV accident back in 2017. That is lectures and masterclasses but no From producing, recording, composing,
jamming. So I started the Big Jersey
quite a thing to survive and come
Guitar Camp which is now a 4:1 ratio touring, teaching etc. What’s next for
back from, is there any difference in Frank Vignola?
student to teacher. All are required to
how you approach music now than My Truefire.com jazz studio channel is very
learn ten songs that are taught through
before? Looking at a piece of music, popular. It's fun to see that grow and
zoom classes and video lessons and
composing and playing? develop through student based questions.
Just being alive is a gift. Playing music then 4 or 5 sessions a day, playing the
is even more of a gift given the fact I ten songs with other students and a Every Wednesday night, I host a Guitar
almost had to have my arm amputated. I world renowned guitar/teacher. It's Night which features guitar legend Jimmy
am extremely lucky, having a great been a very successful plan but all Bruno at the iconic jazz club, "Birdland" on
surgeon (four surgeries in 5 months), camps are limited so we can keep the West 44th Street in Manhattan. This in
addition to my camps and shows with Tessa
and a lot of will to get better. I went to student to teacher ratio down as low as keep me plenty busy with fun and
PT every day for months. possible. St Croix Camp is only 12 challenging activities and events. Thanks for
people with Jimmy Bruno, Ken Smith some great questions and hope to see you
and myself.
M A G A Z I N E at the show.