Last week on Notes from the Fires, we met 82-year-old composer, arranger, teacher, and guitarist Bruce Lofgren.
The current incarnation of Bach An’ All.
Courtesy Bruce Lofgren
The Eaton fire took a lot from Bruce, but it did not stop one of his most cherished routines. Since the 1970s, Bruce and his musician friends have gathered to play the music of JS Bach in a group called Bach An’ All.
Lofgren, Doug Livingstone on pedal steel, bassist Randy Landas, and guitarist Daniel Ferguson are session players - guys who are called to sessions, handed sheet music they’ve never seen before, and flawlessly play country, pop, or rock. But as host John Rabe learned when he joined them for a session at the musicians’ local in Burbank, Bach is next level … so listen for enthusiasm, respect for the composer, love for the music, and the fun they have letting go and not worrying about perfection.
We close out today’s episode with the first movement of Bach’s Trio Sonata #6, played by Chris Thile on mandolin, Edgar Meyer on bass, and Yo-Yo Ma on cello. (No pedal steel on this one.)
