On the first snowy day in the Puget Sound region, a group formed in sunny California warmed up our airwaves with a studio session filled with joy and beauty.
The New West Guitar Group formed about ten years ago by students at the USC jazz program. With Will Brahm joining founding members John Storie and Perry Smith on guitars, they added their college friend, singer Sara Gazarek for their concert at the Kirkland Performance Center.
Sara, a proud graduate of Roosevelt High School's legendary jazz program, worked with the NWGG on their recent album ‘Send One Your Love,’ and performed this Stevie Wonder tune and a burning version of "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" in the KNKX studios.
The trio of guitarists wound their way through an amazing instrumental version of the oldie "After You've Gone" as well, a fine sample of the music on their brand new album, ‘Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, Pa.’
With Perry Smith based in New York and Storie and Brahm both busy with other projects in Los Angeles, they told us that the hard work needed to keep up with each other keeps them in sync when they get together. We're happy to host them at the KNKX studios anytime.
