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For solo performances LaVerne Christie draws on over two decades of experience
playing in small groups, as a jazz guitarist, classical guitarist
and jazz bass player.
Her musical approach shows an appreciation for beautiful classical melodies,
for sophisticated Brazilian harmonies and for popular tunes from the great
American Songbook composers like Cole Porter as well as modern composers
like Stevie Wonder.
In creating her own arrangements you can hear her admiration for the famous
guitarists from these genres and the influences of great musicians from the past
to the present.
LaVerne Christie has played solo guitar in countless restaurants, art galleries, wineries,
coffeehouses and bookstores and for wedding ceremonies in all kinds of settings
from boat landings to Caesar's Palace.
Depending on the venue LaVerne plays a Gibson 175 archtop guitar, an
Ovation steel-string acoustic guitar or a nylon string guitar made for her by
New York luthier Rich DiCarlo. For amplification she uses either a Polytone
Minibrute II or a Genz Benz acoustic amp.
WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING:
"As a Jazz Guitarist, LaVerne Christie follows tenaciously in the footsteps of those who have
come before her, men and women alike. She has a strong sense of the vocabulary needed to
express oneself as a Jazz performer, and it's obvious that she has paid her dues listening and
learning from a variety of sources. Her improvisational abilities are clearly cut from the same
cloth that has shaped the voices of such esteemed players as Emily Remler, Frank Vignola,
Kenny Burrell and Les Paul. Christie's playing style is clean and articulate, with a light
touch that dances across the fretboard confidently."
- JAZZ GUITAR LIFE
"Her study of classical and fingerstyle jazz guitar as well as Brazilian music is definitely
apparent in the sharp arrangements she creates." - ALL MUSIC GUIDE
"The influence of guitarist Herb Ellis and to a lesser degree the guitar style of Wes Montgomery
and Joe Pass are all present in LaVerne Christie's guitar playing. Ms. Christie has a clean fluid
guitar style made up of sharp crystalline single note runs, blending melody and rhythm flawlessly
into sounds of delight." - JAZZ REVIEW
"Christie learned how to play with a bit of classical training and the finger-style that
Wes Montgomery fans will love, and the combination works because she is able to apply
technicality with the freedom of improvisation."
- MUSIC FOR AMERICA
"Christie has guts as well as chops - she plays like a hard bop horn player, in all the good ways -
and makes an original statement no matter how familiar the tune." - WILSON & ALROY
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