Hi, Duke, have been playing jazz guitar for forty years, and play for free far more than for any money. Is anyone in the Raney, Robillard, Kessel, Ellis, Burrell, Hall genre making a living at this nowadays? Or, does straight jazz not cut it anymore? Thanks.- Charley Bevell  Bloomington, IN  

Hi Charles, My guess is Jim Hall and Kenny Burrell still can earn a good living. But in the jazz context its quite difficult. I do many restaurant gigs and a few jazz rooms where people actually listen but beautiful melodies and nice improvisation don't seem to be what most folks want these days. The mass media influx of contemopary music seems to have somewhat erased the interest in that type of music. But I always believe it will come back to some extent. In my humble opinion there is just too much music being put out there. Now that anyone can make and market music it's a free for all and its a sad thing in certain respects I think. Duke

Thanks for keeping the flame alive, Duke. Cheers to this site, I'm new here and am really impressed with the content and the spirit with which it was created. Good for you guys, excited to learn. Brandon

Hi Brandon, Welcome to Sonic-Junction! I am glad you appreciate our work here. It is a privledge to be doing it! Enjoy the lessons, Duke