The Guitar Player's Resource
Having developed the ability to harmonize a melody any number of ways on his 7-string guitar (in the manner of the father of the 7-string, George Van Eps), Fred Fried recently released the instrumental jazz CD, The Wisdom Of Notes. Jazz guitar fans will relish the approach espoused by Fried, who uses his guitar (including a nylon-strung 7-string, along with electric) to create the music he himself would want to hear it. Joined by bassist Michael Moore and drummer Tony Tedesco, Fried serves up standards as well as extremely listenable original numbers, such as "The Simplest Things", "Evening Song", and, of course, the title tune. An active live performer, Fried's album is a gem, as he pours his experience and sensitivity into each track, leaving the listener with a feeling of satisfaction and anticipation (for more!) Fred Fried was originally profiled in the October-November, 2006 edition of The Undiscovered.
Fred Fried was born in 1948 in Brooklyn, New York. He didn't start the guitar until college, learning chords from friends who were heavily into blues and folk guitar, and becoming obsessed with the instrument. His introduction to jazz guitar came when he bought Kenny Burrell and Wes Montgomery albums. After hearing Wes, he knew what he wanted to do. After college, Fred studies for six months with the great George Van Eps, the father of the 7-string guitar. A sample of the musicians and singers he has appeared with include Art Pepper, Derek Smith, Marty Napoleon, Jay Leonhart, Mike Formanek, Perry Como, Barbara Cook, Helen O'Connell, Dick Johnson, Gary Johnson, Lou Colombo, Bruce Abbott, Greg Abate, Billy Marcus, Bob Nieske, Matt Gordy, Kenny Wenzel and singer Shawnn Monteirro. Fred is well recorded, with eight CDs as a leader.
Fried currently divides his time between gigging and teaching privately. His busy gig schedule, mostly on Cape Cod, includes everything from solo gigs (Friday nights at Sparkfish Restaurant in Brewster, MA) to a duo with saxophonist Bruce Abbott (Thursday nights at the Black Cat in Hyannis, MA).
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
United States
Web site: www.fredfried.com