Improvisational New York guitarist Wayne Krantz will release his 10th solo album, Howie 61, April 17 through Abstract Logix Records.
Krantz is celebrating the release with a run of five hometown gigs at New York City's Iridium Jazz Club, starting Monday, April 9. Check out the dates below.
The album title, Howie 61, refers to Bob Dylan’s 1965 song, "Highway 61 Revisited," and the disc is a respectful nod to the song's chugging blues-rock riffs. Highlights include “The Bad Guys” and “Can’t Stand To Rock,” high-energy tracks propelled by Krantz’s guitar work. On the tongue-in-cheek “U Strip It,” David Binney, a frequent Krantz collaborator, delivers a smoldering sax solo over a driving groove.
“It’s another step in a direction I’ve been making since Long To Be Loose,” Krantz said. On whether this is the pinnacle of his career, Krantz responded, “This record is not the completion of that journey at all, but it is a step in the direction that’s been in my head now for a really long time.”
The first night at the Iridium, April 9, will see Krantz join the Les Paul Trio for a special start to the week. Over the next two nights, he will be joined by Cliff Almond on drums, jazz star Chris Potter on saxophone and Anthony Tidd on bass. For the last two nights, Krantz will be joined by his longtime trio; Keith Carlock (Steely Dan, John Mayer) on drums and Tim Lefebvre (Chris Botti) on bass, who held a weekly residency at the 55 Bar in NYC for the last six years. Together, they’ve toured around the world and recorded on Krantz’s last three records.
WAYNE KRANTZ – 5 Night Stand At The Iridium:
April 9: Les Paul Night with Wayne Krantz and The Les Paul Trio
April 12: Wayne Krantz with Chris Potter, Anthony Tidd and Cliff Almond
April 13: Wayne Krantz with Chris Potter, Anthony Tidd and Cliff Almond
April 14: Wayne Krantz with Keith Carlock and Tim Lefebvre
April 15: Wayne Krantz with Keith Carlock and Tim Lefebvre
Check out the feature on Krantz in the upcoming July issue of Guitar World magazine.
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Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.
