Ron Escheté Trio

Ron Escheté (pronounced ESH-tay),the consummate master of the seven-string guitar, joins 6-stringbass pioneer Todd Johnson to lay the formidablefoundation of the Ron Escheté Trio. With the additionof such fine drummers as Kendall Kay, Joe LaBarbera or Paul Humphrey, this trio renders mainstream jazzwith a refreshing new texture.

While Escheté has long been regarded as one of thefinest guitarists in mainstream jazz, he now ranks as aninnovative leader for his work with this ensemble. "TheEscheté trio is as polished as the classic Modern JazzQuartet… This is a unit that speaks with a single voice.It is a voice of brilliant musical reason." – Jim Merod,Jazz News. What is most unique about the sound ofthis trio is the depth and texture created by the couplingof Eschetéís seven strings with Johnsonís six strings.The outcome is "a rich tapestry of melody, harmonyand teamwork," says Hal Howland for ModernDrummer Magazine.

Band leader Ron Escheté was born in 1948 in Houma, Louisiana,and not surprisingly his early influences were jazz masters Jim Hall,Howard Roberts and Wes Montgomery. Escheté began playing guitarat the age of 14, joined a quartet and was working clubs in Louisianabefore he had even graduated from high school. He attended LoyolaUniversity and studied classical guitar with Paul Guma. Before he hadcompleted college Escheté was tapped to tour with Buddy Grecoand he quickly established his reputation as a premier accompanist.Over the decades Escheté has worked with the greatest artistsin jazz including: Ella Fitzgerald; Sarah Vaughn; Diana Krall; DizzyGillespie; Milt Jackson; Ray Brown and many more.

Escheté cites a 1988 gig in San Diego as a critical turningpoint in his career. There he began to shed his reputation as thequintessential sideman; he stepped to the center of the stage and hebegan exploring original material. "Long considered to be one of thefinest guitarists in mainstream jazz by musicians and listeners alike,he has now taken over the reins, and 'innovative leader' might be abetter appellation," says preeminent jazz critic, Zan Stewart.

In 1990 Escheté teamed with a bright and daring young bassplayer named Todd Johnson. Johnson is now recognized as a pioneer ofthe six-string bass. With his custom Yamaha six-string bass, equippedwith a midi pick-up, Johnson uses an innovative technique where heplays chord changes and bass lines simultaneously. Additionally, hisuse of the midi interface, a technology which allow his instrument tosound like many instruments at the same time, adds both harmonic colorand texture that further defines his unique sound. His instrument can,quite literally, sound like an organ and a bass at the same time. As aseasoned performing artist, Todd Johnson has developed a richphilosophy encompassing his spiritual, educational andachievement-oriented sides. Johnson sees his talent as a gift tocontinually enhance and develop.

As an integral member of this critically acclaimed jazz trio, Johnsonexcels as both a supporting musician and a seasoned soloist. He isconsistently cited for his contributions of skill, originality, andversatility, as well as his ability to sound as if he is simultaneouslyplaying multiple instruments. Group leader Ron Escheté says"Todd… can sound like a second guitar player or even an organ orelectric piano." Zan Stewart of the Los Angeles Times writesthat Johnsonís six-string bass along with Eschetéísseven-string guitar "give the musicians an amazing range of sounds andapproaches." 20th Century Guitar Magazineís Jim Fisch calls it"a delight to witness the telepathic communication between Todd andRon seamlessly dovetailing their carefully crafted improvisation."The group is repeatedly hailed as the trio that sounds like a quartet.

The Ron Escheté Trio has recorded 5 CDs: "Softwinds," "Rain Or Shine," "Mo' Strings Attached," "Live At Rocco" and "In The Middle," the latter featuring the current line-up of Ron Escheté, Todd Johnson and Kendall Kay. The group, which performs regularly in the Southern California area, has also toured extensively in the United States.

In addition to touring and recording, both Escheté and Johnsonteach music at colleges, major universities and special clinicsincluding: California Institute of the Arts; the California StateUniversities at Fullerton and Long Beach; Loyola University; GoldenWest College; Louisiana State University at New Orleans; Musicians'Institute; North Texas State University; Spokane Falls CommunityCollege; Utah State University; and more.

Jim Merod, Jazz News says that with this group "the dedicatedlistener finds genuine jazz – melodic beauty joined to harmonicperfection."