Lenny Breau

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Best known for his stunning, crystalline octave harmonic arpeggios, Lenny Breau possessed one of the most comprehensive musical vocabularies in the history of the instrument. Although he will no doubt be most remembered for his talents as a solo artist, he was an expert jazz ensemble player who felt equally comfortable with country, flamenco. In a solo improvisational context, he could transform a familiar jazz standard into an extended tonal painting, complete with changes in meter and mood, rich harmonies, and introspective sections offset by formidable technical displays. A student of jazz, classical, and country styles, as well as more exotic forms such as flamenco and East Indian music, he had a vast array of sounds and textures at his disposal.



One of the cornerstones of the Breau style was his uncanny ability to play chords with his right-hand thumb and first two fingers, while superimposing single-note lines with the third finger and pinky. Early. explorations of Chet Atkins' right-hand approach led him to master the coordination of two distinct parts and develop the skill to emphasize a voice at will. He occasionally added a bass line to this concept, resulting in a mind-boggling three-voice tapestry that made an indelible impression on all who heard it.



For a musician as unique and innovative as Breau, he was probably the most underrecorded guitarist in the history of jazz. His inability to sustain an active career resulted in him being known primarily to guitarists. Unfortunately, he had yet to make the definitive work representing his vast talents. Of the eight LPs under his own name, only four remain in print: Five O 'Clock Bells, Mo ' Breau, Minors Aloud, and Srandard Brands. However, there has been talk of his first two albums being reissued, and arrangements are being made to make available some previously unreleased material. Lenny appears on two tracks on Phil Upchurch's soon-to-be-released album on JAM.



On August 12, 1984, he was found dead in a Los Angeles swimming pool on top of his apartment building. An autopsy revealed that he had been strangled and it shocked all that knew the kind hearted "little guy"; the murder is still unsolved today. Chet Atkins said of his longtime friend: "He was a great fingerstylist with fathomless knowledge. His legend will continue to inspire future generations." All who knew Lenny will remember him as a softspoken man with a warm sense of humor. For being such a musical giant, he had no pretenses and was always more than willing to share his knowledge with fellow guitarists. And like so many artists, he received little in return for what he gave the world. But for those touched by his exceptional music, Lenny will live forever.