Jeremy Green, Standing Eight Review

Guitarist Jeremy Green has been a mainstay in and around the Toronto, Canada, music scene since the early-mid-80s. Green completed Royal Conservatory exams in Rudiments (honors). However, Green’s musical self-exploration has allowed him the proficiency to blend musical training and on-stage experience to create a mature and logical melodic style compositionally and as a guitar player. His compositions have garnered praise from studios and industry experts and have been featured in various online sources and print publications such as Guitar Player Magazine. In addition, his music has been featured locally on JazzFM (Canada’s premier jazz radio station) and worldwide on other traditional radio stations, including spotlights in a growing list of places across the globe.

Green spent over a year making his album, Standing Eight. The project is an eight-song album with a full-throttle rock, funk-fusion romp featuring some of the world’s most renowned instrumentalists.

The album features drummer Keith Carlock throughout and spotlight performances by Mike Stern, Jimmy Haslip, Robben Ford, Will Lee, Victor Wooten, Oz Noy, Tim Lefebvre, Billy Sheehan, Michel Cusson, Rich Brown, Chase Baird, Moto Fukushima, Mark Levron, and Ian Desouza. The album was mixed and mastered in Nashville by Jerry Guidroz (Winery Dogs, Flying Colors, Haken). “It was an honour paying homage to these guys. Every song was written with their uniqueness in mind, as you can tell from the title of each track,” says Green.

“No Jacket Required” features Mike Stern on guitar, Jimmy Haslip on bass, and Keith Carlock on drums. Green’s music blends funk, rock, jazz, and blues, making for a stunning fusion selection. Green has many shades to his guitar tone, which is always fun to hear. The composition also features Green’s guitar tones in the different sections of the form, making for an enjoyable and varied listening experience. Haslip’s bass solo is smooth and dexterous as he easily navigates the changes. Stern’s chorused delay is his trademark, and he does not disappoint on this solo. Green’s solo mixes rock and jazz as he builds the energy back to the melody and out.

“Mr. Beast” features Billy Sheehan on bass and Keith Carlock on bass. This power rock trio turns up the heat on this energetic melody. The composition has a balance of aggressive and relaxed moments. Green’s guitar sound varies in each section to give the highest impact. Sheehan’s drive is unmatched in the rock world, and here he pushes Green to an outstanding guitar solo.

Standing Eight is a must-have for any guitarist. The various compositions and guest artists all add to the richness of this beautiful project. Green is a guitarist who knows how to shape a song to each ensemble’s strengths and sculpt his guitar tone to bring out the performance’s beauty.