Album Notes

"Far East offers proof of the guitar riches lurking out there if you dig around a little deeper."
- Bob Young, JAZZIZ

"will be difficult for most bop fans to resist ... thoughtful, melodic and lightly swinging music that is worth searching for."
- Scott Yannow, JAZZLINK MAGAZINE

"solid grasp of the bop vernacular, flair for tasty song-selection and a tactile talent for single-note playing."
- Gene Kalbacher, HOT HOUSE

ALBUM DESCRIPTION:
Guitarist Rick Stone leads an all-star quartet featuring pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Don Gladstone and drummer Curtis Boyd in an outing that inlcudes seldom played standards and gems from the jazz repertoire as well as two Stone originals. Tight arrangements, great group interaction, and a stellar performance by Barron.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
New York based guitarist Rick Stone has developed a significant reputation as both a performer and educator. As well as his work with artists like Irene Reid, Ronnie Whyte and Carol Sudhalter, he leads his own group which has included musicians like Junior Cook, Eric Alexander, Ralph Lalama, Tardo Hammer, Richard Wyands, Dennis Irwin and Vernel Fournier at major venues throughout the northeast. Rick studied with jazz greats Barry Harris, Jimmy Heath, Hal Galper and Ted Dunbar and holds degrees from Berklee and Queens College. He has received numerous grants and awards including several NEA Jazz Fellowships and IAJE awards for Outstanding Service to Jazz Education, and is on the faculty of Hofstra University, Jazzmobile Workshop, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Jazz In July at U Mass/Amherst.