Page 19 - SPIRE Apr-Jun 2022 2nd Issue DIGITAL

Often featured on National Public Radio, working with Tessa Lark has been an
Frank Vignola has also become a familiar amazing experience. She is one of the Given your expansive career, were
figure on Public Television, featured greatest musicians I have ever had the there any intense marathon sessions
previously on three popular shows, pleasure of working with. Working with where you were up all-night WWW.FRANKVIGNOLA.COM
including the heavily programmed her has really opened up my repertoire recording and rewriting? Could you TRUEFIRE.COM/CHANNELS/JAZZ-STUDIO/H1793
Tommy Emmanuel and Friends. His own and gave me a vehicle to accompany describe that process and how the WWW.BIGJERSEYGUITARCAMPS.COM/
PBS special, “Four Generations of Guitar” on my old Gibson archtop. end result made you feel about your WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/C/FRANKVIGNOLAGUITAR
produced by Peter Berkow, premieres in work. WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/FRANKVIGNOLAGUITAR/
the 2015 season as part of the On top of working with some Yes, of course. Now, it's getting up WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FRANKVIGNOLAMUSIC/
forthcoming 13 episode series “Music incredible names, you’ve also played super early and getting it done rather
Gone Public”, where he will be joined by some amazing venues. The Teatro than late at night. I have pulled all TWITTER.COM/THEFRANKVIGNOLA
special guests, Vinny Raniolo, Bucky Olimpico (“Olympic Theatre”), Lincoln nighters in the studio many times. I OPEN.SPOTIFY.COM/TRACK/5K4OMIL4OKI9O5M8QZIX0B
Pizzarelli, Joe Craven and Tommy Center, Sydney Opera House, and also have driven through the night to
Emmanuel. Carnegie Hall, just to name a few. get to the next gig many times. I loved
every minute of it.
Vignola has recorded over 30 CD’s, 7 What are some of your favorite
DVD’s and has been a guest on hundreds performance venues and why? Who have been some of your favorite
of recordings. He has written 23 music Well Carnegie Hall is extremely special studio engineers and producers to
instructional books for Mel Bay and the Sydney Opera House was work with and?
Publications. He has also produced eight amazing, but I especially love the Blue Gene Paul (Les' son) and Dae Bennett
full length video teaching courses for Note in New York City. The sound is are two icons that I have spent
Truefire.com. His on-line Guitar Sherpa fabulous and the stage has been graced countless hours with in the studio.
private lessons and workshop courses by just about every jazz icon you can Producers Carl Jefferson and Joel Dorn
continue to thrive. He has and continues name. It's very special. are two of my favorites that I have had
to conduct clinics, masterclasses and the pleasure of spending many hours
workshops at music universities all over Just being alive is a gift. with in the studio. Good times.
the world including Julliard and Boston
University. Playing music is even You started the Big Jersey Guitar
more of a gift given the Camp that pairs aspiring guitar
How did you meet and become one of students with renowned instructors.
Les Paul’s 5 most admired guitarists? fact I almost had to have The Camp has grown into an How has teaching music impacted you as
I first met Les in 1985 when he emerged international project with locations a musician?
from retirement, performing weekly at Fat my arm amputated. around the world. What inspired you I love to teach. Since everyone learns
Tuesday's in downtown New York City. to start these camps and how does it differently and a large majority of my
We were friends for many years. In 2000, make you feel to see it grow over the students are hobbyists, I am always
he asked me to join his band and we had Cover or an original, what is your years? challenged to find ways to teach someone. I
many years of fun performing every favorite song to perform live? After being hired to teach at many have found that learning songs is the best
Covers.
Monday night at the Iridium in New York camps worldwide, I noticed there was way to learn jazz or any style or genre of
City. He was a good guy. I miss him. 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,
You’ve recorded and toured with some jamming. So I started the Big Jersey
quite a thing to survive and come
renowned artists over the years. Which 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?
musician or musicians did you enjoy student to teacher. All are required to
how you approach music now than My Truefire.com jazz studio channel is very
collaborating with the most and any learn ten songs that are taught through
before? Looking at a piece of music, popular. It's fun to see that grow and
memorable moments you’re willing to zoom classes and video lessons and
composing and playing? develop through student based questions.
share? Just being alive is a gift. Playing music then 4 or 5 sessions a day, playing the
Tommy Emmanuel is a blast to work with. is even more of a gift given the fact I ten songs with other students and a Every Wednesday night, I host a Guitar
Bucky Pizzarelli was all class and many of almost had to have my arm amputated. I world renowned guitar/teacher. It's Night which features guitar legend Jimmy
the jazz icons are memorable especially, am extremely lucky, having a great been a very successful plan but all Bruno at the iconic jazz club, "Birdland" on
pianist John Lewis and saxophonist, Billy surgeon (four surgeries in 5 months), camps are limited so we can keep the West 44th Street in Manhattan. This in
Mitchell. Lately, 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.
1 6 | T H E S P I R E C E N T E R M A G A Z I N E at the show.