Episode 6: ——- Dig what I’m doing? Consider donating $5 or more at the bottom of this post

Back in  2002, blues artist Corey Harris phoned to tell me that he was playing at Pearl Street Nightclub (Northampton, MA) and asked if I’d like to come. He said he was opening for a 7-string jazz guitarist, named Charlie Hunter.  I was at school and had not yet traveled much outside of Boston, so after I hung up the phone, I hopped in my Subaru and I was on my way.

I love seeing new musicians, so I was excited to see Charlie’s set after Corey’s opening set.  That night, the way Charlie played guitar was so fresh to the ear. Having the extra low string on his guitar allowed him to create a much fuller sound than most guitarists, giving the illusion that there were more people playing with him than just him alone.  The tonal aspect was not the only thing that impressed me though, it was also how he used his signature instrument to make his music come together. He respects the bass lines and how they work together with the melodies and harmony in each tune.  Charlie plays each of these parts like they are indeed separate instruments, but combines them to create the sounds of one great band.

Since that night, I have followed his career, seeing him in a variety of musical situations:  a duo with vocals, a full band with a horn section, and in this “Pun Picks” session with his longtime friend and collaborator, drummer Scott Amendola.  These two have been playing together on and off for about 20 years and were also both members of the band TJ Kirk.  Watching them perform is a real treat.  Their energy is infectious and their music is uplifting.  One reporter in the Bay area said “After two decades, these two are telepathic, into one another’s moves.”  

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