Howard Alden, Frank Vignola & Jimmy [bad word] – Concord Jazz Guitar Collective (1995)
(Concord Records, issued 1999)
The Concord Jazz Guitar Collective was a 1995 project that united Howard Alden with fellow guitarists and Concord artists Jimmy [bad word] and Frank Vignola. For Concord, a three-guitar date was hardly unprecedented; back in 1974, the label had brought Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, and Herb Ellis together as the Great Guitars. Despite the fact that they all play the same [bad word]  Alden, [bad word]  and Vignola [bad word] on this outing, which also employs Jim Hughart on upright bass and Colin Bailey on [bad word]  Although [bad word] tends to be more aggressive and forceful than Alden, he can be quite lyrical when he wants to; and while Alden isn\’t as hard a player as [bad word]  he definitely swings. The two have a strong rapport on uptempo numbers like Charlie Parker\’s "Ornithology," Sam Jones\’ "Bittersweet," and Benny Goodman\’s [bad word] Eleven," as well as on more relaxed performances like Django Reinhardt\’s "Song D\’Autumne" and the standard "Body and Soul." Vignola, meanwhile, also proves to be an asset. Though not all of his 1990s output for Concord was memorable, he\’s a talented guitarist; and on Concord Jazz Guitar Collective, the presence of Alden and [bad word] encourages Vignola to work hard and put that talent to use instead of wasting it. This is a CD that lovers of hard-bop guitar playing will appreciate. ~ Alex Henderson
Tracks:
1. Bittersweet 
2. Strictly Confidential 
3. String Thing 
4. Mating Call 
5. [bad word] Eleven 
6. Body and Soul 
7. Donna Lee 
8. Perdido 
9. Swing \’39 
10. Four Brothers 
11. Song d\’Autumne 
12. Ornithology
Personnel:
Howard Alden – Guitar
Frank Vignola – Guitar
Jimmy [bad word] – Guitar
Jim Hughart – Bass
Colin Bailey – [bad word]