Sharon Isbin is one of the great guitarists. Her repertoire is vast and her discography enormous. Isbin’s newest album, Guitar Passions, features some of her favorite music from Spain and Latin America. But Guitar Passions is unique because it also features her performing with some of her favorite guitarists from the worlds of classical, jazz and rock.
Ariama: How did you select the artists joining you on the album?
SI: There were certain people I worked with that came to mind right away. They’ve been wonderful friends in my life like Steve Vai who I’ve performed with several times. Last year we were hanging out at his house and began to jam on the Allegro by Barrios [Agustin Barrios Magoré] and I was amazed by what he came up with. I suggested that we do it on the recording.
Stanley Jordan and I did a tour back in the late 90s and I continue to have enormous admiration for his creativity and innovation as a jazz player. When he said he’d like to be on the CD I was excited because I had just come across an unpublished work by the Argentinean composer Quique Sinesi. I went back to it and thought how great it would be for Stanley to improvise on it. My part is written down but every note Stanley plays on the tune is his own and it’s extraordinary.
Sony suggested Nancy Wilson (from Heart) and I loved the idea because she’s a terrific guitarist and “Dreamboat Annie” is one of my all-time favorite songs. So when her name was mentioned that was the song that came to mind. Then there’s Steve Morse. I go back a long way with him. Back in 1985 I was asked by Carnegie Hall to create their first and, to this date, only guitar festival. Steve was one of the people I invited. He’s always been so grateful and confided to me that he considered that one of his big breaks.
Ariama: There are great repertoire choices on the album but for me the Laurindo Almeida arrangement of the Adagio from Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez is the centerpiece of the album.
SI: It’s become an iconic work in the mainstream because Miles Davis played on Gil Evans’s arrangement of it and it’s been an inspiration for Chick Corea’s “Spain,” it’s a beautiful theme that’s inspired so many artists. It comes from a time that was very difficult in Rodrigo’s life. He and his wife lost what would have been their first child and she became very ill. He’d visit her at the hospital every night and consoled himself with that beautiful theme. It’s certainly one of those works that touches people’s hearts.
Our performance of Laurindo’s arrangement combines the rock, jazz and classical worlds. I made the only other recording of it with Laurindo and Larry Coryell and it was something that really delighted Rodrigo. He welcomed the cross genre expression of his art. I only wish he could have heard this version because I had Romero Lubambo play Laurindo’s part and his improvising makes it even more jazz oriented.
Ariama: How is it playing with somebody plugged-in, playing electric?
SI: It’s just like another voice. When I play with an orchestra what’s it like? Or a flute or violin? I was doing that when crossover was still a dirty word back in the late 80s playing with Larry Coryell, so it’s very natural to me. It’s mingling with my compatriots who come from these different fields and I’m excited by their creative and artistic approach to the instrument. That’s what brings us all together. The album title is Guitar Passions, our shared passion for the guitar has brought us all together.
Ariama: I understand there is a documentary film about you being made?
SI: I’ve always enjoyed working with the most creative composers, people like John Corigliano, Tan Dun, Aaron Jay Kernis, Lukas Foss, Christopher Rouse and many others. The documentary is about these fascinating collaborations. It will have interviews, work sessions, performances with these composers and people like Joan Baez who worked with me on my previous album, Journey to the New World. She’s one of my idols and it was an honor to record with her. Even Martina Navratilova is included.
Ariama: The world of sports and music intersecting? I love it.
SI: We had a fun interview in which she spoke about the discipline of tennis and music. She talks about the mental work and practice. She was even asked if I were a tennis player who would I be. Right off the bat she said “Martina Hingis.” She very clearly had in mind what my music means to her. I’ve admired her tremendously over the years for all she’s done for women.
The documentary has been a really exciting project to see come together. There’s even a work session at Santana’s home where he’s trying to teach me how to be Santana!
As would be expected, Sharon Isbin's list of favorite musical artists is pretty eclectic. Here are a few of them:
She was my teacher for ten years and my friend for 30 years. When it comes to playing Bach there is no peer.
Her music is so different from any of the worlds I've played in, but I think it's positively transformative and transcendent. She writes all of her own works and hearing her live in concert is like hearing the album; it’s so sophisticated and beautiful. One of my favorite albums of hers is Mask and Mirror.
Her playing of Spanish music is so inspiring to me.
Cesare Evora
A marvelous singer from Cape Verde; she has a wonderful sense of rhythm and lyricism in her singing.
Other singers
There are so many singers I admire. I grew up loving people like Elly Ameling and Victoria de los Angeles. To me the voice inspires guitar playing, that’s what I aspire to. I seek that lyrical quality on my instrument, so singers are my models.
by Craig Zeichner
