Jesse van Ruller: Jazz Guitar VirtuosoConsidered "jazz guitar royalty" in the Netherlands, Jesse van Ruller rose to international recognition after winning the prestigious Thelonious Monk Award in 1995, with a jury that included Pat Metheny, Jim Hall, and John Scofield. While Metheny personally called his mother urging him to move to New York, Jesse chose to build his remarkable career from the Netherlands.In this intimate conversation, Jesse discusses his musical journey from his early obsession with the guitar to his evolving approach to sound and composition. He shares insights about influential teachers like Wim Overgouw, his admiration for players like John Scofield, and his philosophy on balancing technical prowess with emotional expression.Beyond his acclaimed trio recordings, Jesse explores his recent collaborations and studio experiments that push beyond traditional jazz formats. With thoughtful reflections on teaching, family life, and artistic growth, this conversation offers rare insights into the mind of one of Europe's most distinctive jazz voices.
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52:53
Rabea Massaad
A deep dive with guitarist Rabea Massaad, whose musical journey has taken him from teenage obsession to becoming one of the most respected heavy-sounding six-stringers in modern guitar.In this conversation, Rabea shares insights on how his early exposure to bands like Extreme shaped his playing, the importance of "feeling" in tone, and how his father's tough love approach helped shape his growth as a musician. He discusses balancing content creation with artistic expression, the challenges of maintaining passion while turning guitar into a career, and his excitement about recording Vower's upcoming album in his own studio.Rabea also opens up about rediscovering his passion for playing guitar after periods of feeling like it had become "work," and his plans to possibly release a solo instrumental album and tour alongside artists like Plini. Whether discussing his signature Music Man guitar, his work with Neural DSP, or the current hostel lifestyle of touring with Vauer, Rabea's humility and genuine love for the instrument shine through.Join us for this candid conversation about guitar, creativity, and the ongoing evolution of a musician's life.
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Scott Henderson
Guitar legend Scott Henderson joins the latest episode of Sixty Scales and the Truth! 🎸✨Recorded at his new California home, Scott opened up about his musical journey, from his early years to becoming one of the most respected guitarists in the industry. We discussed the importance of discipline, hard work, and maintaining a youthful spirit no matter your age.Every conversation in this podcast series reminds me how fortunate I am to sit down with these incredible musicians who each bring their unique perspective to the art of guitar.Listen now to hear Scott's wisdom, stories, and of course, plenty of guitar talk. Thanks Scott for the amazing conversation!Don't forget to subscribe if you like what you hear.
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Joseph Anidjar
What does it take to carve out a unique voice in the world of progressive metal and jazz? In this episode of Sixty Scales and the Truth, I sat down with Joseph Anidjar, a guitarist whose journey from jazz school rejection to headlining major shows is quite inspiring. Born in Paris and raised in Montreal, Joseph has built a reputation for his intricate polyrhythms, unexpected grooves, and expressive melodies.We dove into his early influences, his transition from metalcore to jazz, and his deep musical connection with Joshua de la Victoria. Joseph shares what it takes to stay creative, push technical boundaries, and find artistic authenticity in a genre that demands both precision and emotion. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and let me know your favorite part in the comments!
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Marcos Mena (Standards)
‘Standards is the gradual process of me tryingto accept who I am.’ Yes, we dove deep in this episode featuring Marcos Mena of ‘fruit rock’ band Standards. Marcos was kind enough to invite me to his home in Long Beach California. There we had an extended chat about many things: his youth, family, discovering your voice, doing what you really like and need to do in life and finally just trying to accept who you are. I considered cutting this episode in two parts, since it’s longer than most others. But then I figured:I consider these conversations in a way as an improvised musical conversation. Well prepared, but anything can happen. No sense of cutting an improvisation intwo, right? Again: I consider myself blessed for all the conversations I had thus far in this podcast series. All chats have been special to me, and this one is definitely no exception. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
More than just a music podcast, Sixty Scales and the Truth reveals the human struggles, triumphs, and profound life lessons behind the strings of exceptional guitarists. It's an invitation to discover the truth behind the scales, one unforgettable face-to-face conversation at a time. Whether you're a die-hard guitar enthusiast, a casual music lover, or simply someone who appreciates craftmanship, resilience and creativity, this podcast will leave you inspired, enriched, and eager to uncover more of the wisdom and artistry that these guitar icons have to offer.
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