JAM: October/November 2004 Issue: Quitarist John Stein Returns to KC...

Guitarist John Stein Returns to KC for Blue Room Concert

“If you want to play jazz music you must learn how they wrote it, ” says John Stein.

Guitarist Stein knows what he's talking about. The former Kansas Citian teaches music theory at the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston.

In fact, Stein has written and recorded 35 of his own compositions. “I try to write music as good as the old standards,” he says.

Certainly, to listen to a Stein recording is to listen to it over and over again.

Heavily influenced by Wes Montgomery and Jim Hall, Stein's music is at once familiar yet refreshing. He's done his homework.

“I like to write tunes that are melodic and accessible, easy to understand,” he explains. “It must instantly pop into your ears, yet I don't want to write something bland. My goal is to write songs that are really easy to play and pithy.”

All five of his albums have been met with critical praise. (Stein's latest CD, Interplay, is reviewed in this issue.)

Stein grew up in the Brookside area. He began taking guitar lessons at the age of seven. Before long he was performing in folk music concerts with his teacher, Charlene Kunitz. After a variety of teachers and influences (he learned jazz guitar at age 13), Stein left for college with guitar in tow.

“I had no direction,” he remembers. “I stopped going to school and gravitated to music.”

“It was the 60s,” he explains. “I was listening to a lot of rock and roll then.”

But it wasn't rock and roll that finally put him at the doorsteps of the Berklee School of Music. It was jazz.

His decision was influenced by a jazz pianist whom he had met while living in rural Vermont. “We wanted to see if we were good enough to sit in with him,” says Stein of he and his fellow musician friends. The pianist was a Berklee graduate.

Eventually, Stein felt he had outgrown the scene. “I decided to go to Berklee myself,” he recalls. “I was 30 years old,”

“I went to Berklee and loved it,” he says. “It had all the curriculum I was looking for. It was right there on a silver platter.”

It has only been in the last 10 years that Stein has taken his music to the recording studio.

And it has only been recently that he has chosen to take his musical performance outside the Boston area. “I like the constant challenge of improving myself,” he says.

Stein returns home when he performs at the Blue Room on Saturday, November 6. He will be performing with trumpeter Stan Kessler, bassist Jeff Harshbarger and drummer Tommy Ruskin.

To listen to Stein's work, check out his website at www.johnstein.com.

--Kathy Feist Vescovi






	Search our site:		Guitarist John Stein Returns to KC for Blue Room Concert “If you want to play jazz music you must learn how they wrote it, ” says John Stein. Guitarist Stein knows what he's talking about. The former Kansas Citian teaches music theory at the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston. In fact, Stein has written and recorded 35 of his own compositions. “I try to write music as good as the old standards,” he says. Certainly, to listen to a Stein recording is to listen to it over and over again. Heavily influenced by Wes Montgomery and Jim Hall, Stein's music is at once familiar yet refreshing. He's done his homework. “I like to write tunes that are melodic and accessible, easy to understand,” he explains. “It must instantly pop into your ears, yet I don't want to write something bland. My goal is to write songs that are really easy to play and pithy.” All five of his albums have been met with critical praise. (Stein's latest CD, Interplay, is reviewed in this issue.) Stein grew up in the Brookside area. He began taking guitar lessons at the age of seven. Before long he was performing in folk music concerts with his teacher, Charlene Kunitz. After a variety of teachers and influences (he learned jazz guitar at age 13), Stein left for college with guitar in tow. “I had no direction,” he remembers. “I stopped going to school and gravitated to music.” “It was the 60s,” he explains. “I was listening to a lot of rock and roll then.” But it wasn't rock and roll that finally put him at the doorsteps of the Berklee School of Music. It was jazz. His decision was influenced by a jazz pianist whom he had met while living in rural Vermont. “We wanted to see if we were good enough to sit in with him,” says Stein of he and his fellow musician friends. The pianist was a Berklee graduate. Eventually, Stein felt he had outgrown the scene. “I decided to go to Berklee myself,” he recalls. “I was 30 years old,” “I went to Berklee and loved it,” he says. “It had all the curriculum I was looking for. It was right there on a silver platter.” It has only been in the last 10 years that Stein has taken his music to the recording studio. And it has only been recently that he has chosen to take his musical performance outside the Boston area. “I like the constant challenge of improving myself,” he says. Stein returns home when he performs at the Blue Room on Saturday, November 6. He will be performing with trumpeter Stan Kessler, bassist Jeff Harshbarger and drummer Tommy Ruskin. To listen to Stein's work, check out his website at www.johnstein.com. --Kathy Feist Vescovi RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2004. All rights reserved.