From the wilds of Manhattan to the shores of
Japan and Germany, jazz guitarist Vic Juris has covered an impressive
range of territory, musically as well as geographically. Inspired
by rock and roll legend Chuck Berry, the Jersey City native first
picked up a guitar at the age of ten. With no musicians in the
family, he taught himself to play and was soon appearing with
rock and R&B bands throughout the tri-state area. But the
young rocker's taste soon changed.
In his late teens Vic discovered jazz and classical music.
He was hooked. From there it was on to a career with the likes
of Dizzy Gillespie, Phil Woods, Jimmy Smith, Sarah Vaughan,
Chico Hamilton, Dave Liebman, Richie Cole, Mel Torme, Eddie
Jefferson and Nancy Wilson.
From the beginning Vic's voracious appetite for new musical
experiences led him to explore any and every jazz artist he
could hope to learn from. He drew on other idioms as well: blues,
swing, bebop. In a less sensitive and technically accomplished
musician this expansive vocabulary might descend into cacophony.
But Vic's highly developed sense of composition, his skill at
fusing traditional jazz guitar with other forms of expression,
has made him an eloquent and popular conversationalist. Eagerly
sought out by his fellow musicians, he has provided accompaniment
for numerous recordings.
In the mid eighties Vic teamed up with the phenomenally talented
guitarist Bireli LaGrene during an engagement at Fat Tuesday's,
a New York City jazz club. Vic and LaGrene, a young gypsy whose
spirited style recalls that of legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt,
began playing together regularly. Their popular performances
were charged with the intensity of two masters challenging each
other to new heights. One thing led to another. Vic and LaGrene
toured Europe together. They recorded Bireli LaGrene Live, featuring
Vic Juris for the German label Jazzpoint.
It was during this time that Vic started spending a lot of
time on the continent. He toured with alto saxophonist Richie
Cole; pianist and composer Michel Legrand and then again as
part of a guitar trio with Bireli LaGrene and Englishman John
Etheridge.
Vic found a warm welcome in Europe, where audiences are somewhat
more sophisticated in their appreciation of jazz. European promoters
were quick to book him, confident that he would draw a crowd.
While spending much of his time in Europe, Vic nevertheless
managed to keep busy back in the states. He often teamed up
with guitarist Larry Coryell playing festivals and Jazz Clubs
throughout the country. He also traveled with Gary Peacock in
duet throughout the European circuit.
Vic has been a member of the David Liebman group since 1991.
This band has recorded 10 CDs, traveled throughout Europe, Japan,
Israel, and the United States throughout the 1990s and is still
going strong till this day. He was a member of the Gary Peacock
Quartet and musical director of the Charles Mingus Guitar Quintet.
Vic performed at George Wein's J.V.C. Festival, in duets with
John Abercrombie and Russell Malone. He performs with Jeremy
Steig, James Moody, Charlie Mariano to name a few.
As a leader Vic Juris is performing in the U.S. and in European
venues. His own quartet includes saxophonist Dick Oatts. Vic's
band has recorded records on Steeple Chase, “Night Tripper”,
“Pastels” 1997, “Moonscape” 1998, “Remembering
Eric Dolphy” 2000. His CD “Songbook” hit top
10 pics in 2000. Vic has also recorded on Double Time Records
“Music of Alec Wilder.” Vic's 2004 release of “Blue
Horizon” listed him as top pics for the year 2004. Mr.
Juris is currently recording for the Mel Bay label for release
in the spring of 2005. Vic currently tours as a special guest,
with his own band or in duo with vocalist Kate Baker.
Vic Juris is also one of the leading jazz educators throughout
the world. He has written two books published by Mel Bay, “Vic
Juris Inside/Outside: Original Play-Along Modern Jazz Guitar
Solos” and “Modern Chords:Advanced Harmony for Guitar”.
Both books are highly regarded by up and coming guitarists.
He currently teaches at The New School for Social Research,
Rutgers University, and Lehigh University. He has conducted
clinics throughout the US and Europe.
