Album Notes

Summit of Leaves is a masterpiece of instrumental acoustic guitar music. Here’s what a couple people have to say about it:

“I really like Joe's cd! Watchmaker is a stand out....and I'm not referring to the slapping parts...he's got a really beautiful groove and touch. I LOVE his tune "Trees"! I also love the way his cd was recorded and his "guitar" sounds very solid and gorgeous!”
Buck Curran, Curran Guitars

“Brilliant and enlightened music played by an understated and talented guitarist. Few albums (showing my age) allow the listener to hear something new on each listening. “Summit Of Leaves” lifts one up with its beautiful melodies and stellar musicianship. If you are a player it will either make you want to play more or give up your instrument. If you are just the casual listener you'll find a lot to go back and listen over and over again.”
Tom Shapter,Florida Southern College


“Over The Downs” from “Summit of Leaves” was picked up by New Land Music. You can find their first release “Woodsongs” right here on CD Baby.
New Land Music, record label, will debut with Woodsongs, a mesmerizing collection of contemporary acoustic guitar instrumentals featuring Grammy Award Winning and Grammy Award Nominee artists including Will Ackerman, Alex de Grassi, Preston Reed and David Cullen, as well as the next generation of acoustic instrumental guitar artists.


Joe Gavin began playing the guitar when he was sixteen years old. Having only his ear and a handful of chords shown by a friend, he would put on a record and try to play what he heard. His main interest was electric rock guitar. Within a year or so of learning to play, he heard Phil Keaggy. Joe was inspired by Phil's masterful playing and unique style. He continued to play and develop his own tecnique, primarily on the electric quitar. Hearing the release of Phil Keaggy's Beyond Nature was a turning point for Joe. "It was like an awakening for me. That music brought to life a side of me I had not really known before." Joe bought an acoustic guitar and began to explore and develop this new love. He has been playing solo acoustic guitar for the past 15 years. "Just listening closely to the guitar is my greatest inspiration for new compositions. It's sort of like a conversation. I hear the guitar, and then I think of how I might respond." This intimacy with the instrument is evident in the music that results. Joe's music uses unique playing tecniques and tunings as a medium for his art , not as tricks just to impress the acoustic listener.

"Joe Gavin, voted best acoustic player in Polk county, is a phenom. His unique instrumental approach defies the imagination"
Dave Stimson, BitxByt Studios, Lakeland, FL