Carmichael Guitarist Puts Own Stamp on Jazz-Rock

Local guitarist Jerry Jennings agrees that Carmichael could definitely use some live music venues.

A resident of the town for the past 23 years, the nationally known musician, accomplished songwriter and author, offered some advice to local artists who are trying to get their names out there beyond Carmichael. 

"There may be a blues jam or two in town, but there aren't too many places to play in Carmichael itself," Jennings said. "I usually end up driving somewhere within 75 miles to play."

The dearth of venues hasn't prevented Jennings from pursuing a successful life in music. A musician's musician, he's shared stages with some big names, and his own recordings are highly regarded by his peers and fans of the instrumental blend of rock and jazz guitar known as fusion. He enjoys broad recognition in fusion circles, but he's happy to call Carmichael home. 

And he's careful about when he ventures from Carmichael to play music. "One thing that works for me is that I try to be real selective of the gigs I play," he said. "You can really spend a lot of time going out and playing several times per week, but that doesn't bring in as much people as if you did a show every two months.

"Just promote the heck out of wherever you play -- try to make it an
event."

Jennings spends a couple days a week teaching guitar classes at Northridge Music in Citrus Heights. He also writes instruction books for guitarists and works with schools to help them get started with their guitar class programs.

Besides working with other local musicians, Jennings spends a good portion of his time recording and performing with his namesake band, The Jerry Jennings Band, who have opened for legendary artists such as Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse and Ronnie Montrose of the rock band Montrose.

Montrose also produced Jennings' third and most recent album, "Shortcut To The Center" (2005), which became a favorite among fusion fans including top-notch session musicians such as drummer Bruce Spencer and bassist Marty Holland for its Jeff Beck-esque vibe.

Jennings mentioned one of Montrose's earliest albums as being a key influence on his style of guitar playing.

"When (Montrose) started taking more of a fusion direction, especially with the album 'Open Fire' that he did with Edgar Winter, that was pretty much an earlier version of the style that I'm doing now," Jennings said. "He was instrumental rock before instrumental rock was cool."

Jennings is not a complicated guitar player by any means.

You will not hear any wild and crazy guitar solos that will leave you (and him) empty at their conclusions.

Instead, he takes you on a musical exploration through each of his compositions by producing clear tones with precision, layered over a pleasing fusion of  jazz, rock and, at times, Latin rhythms that will whisk you back to the days of Wes Montgomery, The Weather Report and Steely Dan.

"I guess you can say my playing is a little bit fusion, but not as fusion as say, Allan Holdsworth, where it's just way off the map," Jennings said. "It's basic rock playing, but I kind of leave a certain amount open to intuition so you're not locked into a 12- or 16-measure format that you can't break out of."

As if his band and side projects did not keep him busy enough, Jennings has also spent some time participating in the Sacramento area-based Steely Dan tribute band, Steely Scam, which stepped away from performing this past summer.

All you Steely Dan fans will be pleased to know that Steely Scam may be returning soon.

"The realities of trying to keep it going were getting tougher as our singer was moving to the Bay Area, but now it looks like he's moving back, so we might actually do some more playing," Jennings said.

"To be on stage with 10 people around you with all the horn players and the backup singers doing all those tunes off of Aja and Gaucho and all that, it's just really cool."

 Jennings has upcoming shows at Winestyles in Vacaville on Feb. 26 and the Boardwalk in Orangevale. For more information on his concert dates, instructional books and more, visit his Web site.