3 guitarists combine unique jazz styles

Guitarist Earl Klugh sounds pleased to have a strong musical identity, but says he never gives up trying to perform in ways not so connected to him.

Klugh says he thinks upcoming shows at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild will allow him to stray a little from his musical persona, even if they also allow him to be himself.

"I kind of like doing things different than I usually do," he says.

At the shows on the North Side, Klugh, Bill Frisell and Russell Malone will perform in solo spots and end the shows playing together.

It is a combination that puts together three guitarists who have established themselves in different ways in jazz.

Klugh, 53, is a leading knight of the acoustic guitar and has put together a familiar sound that is soft, but never lapses into the dreaded land of the smooth.

Meanwhile, Malone, 43, is rooted in the mainstream jazz forged by Wes Montgomery, while Frisell, 57, is an edgy player who can change the nature of a tune with creative chording and crisp phrasing.

Frisell is a player who works with jazz stalwarts such at Ron Carter and Paul Motian, but also shows up with newer players, such as the hard-working David Binney.

He also has worked with pop performers such as Elvis Costello and Brian Eno.

"It can get crazy out there," he says. "But I'm looking forward to these concerts. Good things will happen, I'm sure."

Klugh says the differences of the players will give these shows life.

"I don't think you can compare me to any of them or any of them to me," he says.

Frisell agrees the show presents a range that will bring about creativity.

"I love to go into a situation with a new person," he says. "That is really how I learn about music."

He says the three of them have done only a little planning going into the show, but are going to let the encounters that occur at each performance dictate the results.

Having four days for that to happen "is a real luxury," he says. "Most times, you get together with some people and, just as you are getting used to each other, it is time to quit."

Klugh thinks this first-time jointure of the three will be a special event, too, because it blends such different elements.

He is trying to find new mixtures in his work in other ways, too. His current album, "Naked Guitar," features work similar to what he will be doing here: solo performing.

But he is working on putting together a new album that will features him, horns and strings doing a collection of standards and originals.

"It will be a bit bigger than 'Naked Guitar,' but that shouldn't be too difficult," he jokes.

Klugh is a denizen of the recording industry. He was in the "album-a-year" approach many musical performers use and did 30 recordings in the 31 years leading up to 1999, he says.

But he paused then, and didn't put out "Naked Guitar" until 1994.

"I am trying not to do an album just to do an album," he says. "I'm trying to find good material and say something worthwhile."

Additional Information:

'A Night of Guitars'

When: 7:30 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday

Admission: $40

Where: Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, 1815 Metropolitan St., North Side

Details: 412-322-0800