Bruce
Helgeson - Guitarist
"Back
in high school I had to make a choice between buying a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a Les Paul guitar. It's a choice I have
never regretted. Not only has the guitar given me a lifetime of pleasure but I've become good enough at it that I no longer
have to wear a helmet when I play. But seriously, I think I have the best job in the world. Playing Jazz Guitar for
people is a real privilege." Even before Bruce pioneered the first Music Theory Class in his high school (Anderson,
SC) his passion was clear. He became totally immersed in progressive Jazz Guitar for 6 years at Berklee
College of Music in Boston. First came 2 years of Instrumental Performance and then 4 years of Composition.
"I'm so glad I did it, I'm still applying the compositional ideas into every solo". After college, a year was spent locked
in a room composing, just trying to "put it all together" and completing a Symphony, Sonata, 4 part Fugues and
varied works. Then the performing
career ramped up. "Some of my first jobs were with Keith Lockhart (now conductor of Boston Symphony Orchestra) playing
local venues and High School proms. It's hard to believe we played weekends together in an Elvis impersonator Band!!"
Six
months were spent at UNCC researching solos of Bruce's idol, Charlie Parker, designing a curriculum named "Bird
Lives".
Twenty five+
years of gigging and teaching has helped build a solid foundation.
Teaching/playing and holding a guitar all
day since 2002 hasn't hurt a thing.
MASTER CLASS STUDIES with:
Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Pat Metheny, Pat Martino, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Charlie Mingus, Bucky Pizzarelli, Russell Malone,
Kurt Rosenwinkel, Joe Beck, Buddy Defranco, Dave Liebman, John Abercrombie, Peter Leitch, Joe Satriani, John Patitucci, Romero Lubambo, Harvie S (Swartz), Itzhak Perlman, Kenwood Dennard, ....Various National Guitar Workshop, J Aebersold,
IAJE, Berklee activities.
CLASS ROOM STUDIES: Jimmy Bruno, Howard
Alden, Rufus Reid, Jack Wilkins, Joe Diorio, Peter Bernstein, Dave Stryker, Rodney Jones, Jody Fisher, David Baker, Corey
Christiansen, Chris Vadala, Barry Greene, Sheryl Bailey, Jack Grassel, , Jamey Aebersold, Jim Kelly, Jerome Harris, Tom
Dempsey, Fred Hamilton, Dan Haerle, Gary Campbell, Frank Potenza, Steve Erquiaga, Peter Mazza, Jim Snidero, Adam
Rafferty, Steve Allee, Kenny Wessel, Pete McCann, Will Ray, Pat Bergeson, Jim Rotondi, Ed Soph, Jeff Stout, Mike DiLiddo, David Hazeltine, Ron Jackson, Dave Fiuczynski, et al.
The BERKLEE guys: John Laporta, Bill Pierce,
Bill Bresnahan, Al Defino, Mike Grady, Lou Mucci, Bill Maloof, John Bavicci,
Tom McGah, Hal Crook, Jon Damian, Tony Germain, Peter Hume, Tony Lada, Matt Marvuglio, Stu Balcomb, Gary Brunotte, George
Zonce, Pat Pattison, Tom Lee, Peter Hazzard, Michael Rendish, Walter Harp, Don Sterling, Ernest Wiehe, Robert Harrigan,
Chris Frigon, Jon Klein, Alex Radulescu,
Each artist has left a marked influence on Helgeson.
CLINIC COMRADES: Pat Harbison, John Fedchock,
Doug Norwine, Scott Wendholt, Rick Simerly, Stockton Helbing, Ariel Alexander, Tom Hildreth, Wes Funderburk, Ana Gui Gui,
Greg Day
STAGE/FRIENDS Joe Gianono, Piers Lawrence, Johnny Mann, Matt Olson, Dave Maher, Greg Alewine, Colin Campbell,
Ken Allison, Jeff Hook, Charlie Parker(Trpt), Mike Parker, Byron Burns, Hazen Bannister, John Brookshire, Moss Mack, Tony
Waldrep, Suzie Blackwell, Terry Reck, Alan Nowell, Dave Fry, Durwood Peed, Jerry Scala, Joe Osborne, Sonny Thornton .. ah
etc etc
"I had a private lesson with Jody Fisher in
2007. What a great way to kick off some serious chord melody work!"
I also worked a week with Dave Stryker in combo... Whew......
I just Don't have the
words... maybe Total Intensity...and private lessons since....Yeow.. good stuff.
"I spent a 2 days studing improv and
playing in a rhythm section with Chris Vadala (Sax)..once again, I'll never be the same....his intensity and level of motivation
is ....unbelievable". (The insight gained over a simple lunch or coffee.....is .....well... Amazing.. but it's the
music that speaks the most!!!)
Notes for those who share the Passion of Guitar...Bruce
plays:
Main rig:
-Gibson L-4, TI .011 Strings, Acoustic Image Clarus 2R Amp
(200W @ 4 Ohms). Two Raezer's Edge Stealth S10 Speakers (8ohms ea).
-Gibson L-5, with Magnetic Benedetto S6 Pickup(or Johnny Smith Pup-now 2008) &
Piezo Bridge(occasionally mixed into Pendulum SPS-1 Stereo Mix parametric EQ), .011 RW Thomastik Infield Bebop.
-Ibanez AK-85(sim to Ak-86) Archtop; -Hamer Newport/PhatCat PUPs; D'addario .012's TI Flat wound,
-for Commercial work:Matchless Chieftain
40W Amp El-34's-Groovetubes-#6, or #5, 4-10's Open back. Picks: Dunlop 205.
