The Guitar Player's Resource
San Francisco area guitarist Jimmy Mac wanted to break away from his regular jazz based projects, and the results can be heard on his CD-R Just A Kid Havin' Fun. Instrumental, rooted in rock. blues and funk, and a full eleven tracks long, the album gave Mac a chance to stretch out and explore grooves influenced by Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Prince. You'll love Mac's soulful solo style, phrasing and tone, as his guitar sings themes, melodies and brassy solos. Two up-tempo tracks, "Almost Human" and "Wonderland" are perhaps highlights here, but there isn't a sleeper track on the entire album. The smoldering, soul-baring "Beslan" is an example of a slower number that also cooks. All compositions are originals, and many feature co=producer Jimi Fischer on drums. Call Disc Makers and print these babies, Mac, they are diamonds in the rough.
Jimmy's formal training was at William Patterson College, where he majored in Classical Guitar/Violin and where he also pursued Theory and Composition with Dr. Jeff Kresky. He has studied with Mario Escudero, Leonid Bolotine and Bob DeVos. Focusing on the various languages of the instrument and letting each (whether it be classical or bop) inspire him, allows Jimmy to improvise within that idiom. For a period of time, he could be heard playing swing fiddle in one setting and Hendrix in another; in addition, he could be found teaching Theory and Guitar at AIG in New York City. Jimmy's compositions have been used in commercial settings for companies such as Tommy Hilfiger. His rap sheet includes reviews in Jazz Times and Cadence with the group Three Point Play, and he was a featured artist in Guitar For The Practicing Musician in 1990.
Mac has also had the good fortune to appear on records with artists Mike Stern, Dave LaRue, Kim Stone and Scott Kreitzer. His guitar/violin work can be heard on CDs by Winter Hours, Three Point Play and Positive ID.
James Mac
United States