One day, Wesley G. came to my workshop to have his newly acquired Super 400 re-bonded. Of course, I gladly accepted the order, but I didn't let him leave without luring him into my showroom. After trying out all the showroom guitars, he kept coming back to the J17H Elektra. Long story short, he had fallen in love.
Wesley was allowed to try out this guitar at home for a while and then realized that he had to have it. Now I am delighted to have such a competent and accomplished guitarist as Wesley G. on my list of players!
VITA
Wesley G. was born in Wiesbaden. He initially studied classical guitar at the Musikhochschule Wiesbaden, but discovered the blues and jazz – especially bebop – as his real passion at an early age. B.B. King, Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass inspired him and influenced his playing style.
He went on to play in American clubs throughout Europe and the USA for 15 years. Wesley G. performed on stage with the legendary bassist Jimmy Woode and drummer Bobby Durham and other jazz greats such as Tony Lakatos, Jimmy Bruno, Louis Stewart, Bireli Lagrene, Steve Thorton, Percy Sledge, Emil Mangelsdorff, Barry Finnerty, Derrick James, Dave Liebman and many others.
In Germany, he has played with Max Greger, Hazy Osterwald and Hugo Strasser (Tribute to Benny Goodman), among others. With the duo Body & Soul, he won the international duo competition Voice & Guitar in 2006. The duo released a CD with the same name in 2011. He is also frequently on the road with the French Connection with Jean-Yves Jung (organ) and Jean-Marc Robin (drums). Stylistically, the trio is influenced by jazz, blues and Latin and also presents its own compositions.
Wesley G. has released two CDs with the project Wesley G. and Derrick James: Spirit of the Moment and Two Sides of Every Story (available from the artist). As a studio musician, he has worked on numerous other CDs, including pop and R&B productions.
WESLEY G. MEETS BRUCE FORMAN
Two of the greatest jazz guitarists of our time, in my opinion, got together to put standards into a new form. Of course, I'm very pleased that Wesley and Bruce recorded the CD with two Sonntag J17H Elektras. It's great to hear how my guitars sound in the hands of two true masters.
The opportunity for Wesley and Bruce to meet came about through the workshops I do with Bruce Forman. Wesley is a longtime fan of Bruce's and jumped at the opportunity to play a short tour with Bruce after one of the workshops.
The two understood each other musically on the spot! It was a give and take and a joy to hear them play. So Wesley made his dream come true, organized the studio and spent a weekend there with Bruce to record this CD. Luckily for all of us, their music sounds as spontaneous and live as it was played.
The CD Wesley G. meets Bruce Forman is available as a CD from Wesley G. (wesley.g@arcor.de) or Sonntag Gitarrenbau (info@sonntag-guitars.com), or for download from iTunes and Amazon.
