Bruce
Helgeson - Guitarist
Anderson,
SC
(Midway between Atlanta and
Charlotte 100mi to ea)
864-276-7727
brucehelgeson@hotmail.com
Services:
PERFORMANCES for Events & Fine
Restaurants.
Jazz Stylings of Choice Music
GUITAR / MUSIC LESSONS / THEORY
All Styles, All Levels
"Back in high school I had to make
a choice between buying a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a Les Paul guitar. It's a choice I have never regretted. Not only
has the guitar given me a lifetime of pleasure but I've become good enough at it that I no longer have to wear a helmet when
I play. But seriously, I think I have the best job in the world. Playing many styles of music for people, especially
Jazz, is a real privilege." Even before Bruce pioneered the first Music Theory Class in his high school (Anderson, SC)
his passion was clear. Six months were spent at UNCC researching solos of his idol, Charlie Parker. He became totally immersed
in progressive Jazz Guitar at Berklee College of Music in Boston. First came 2 years of instrumental
Performance and then 4 years of Composition. "I'm so glad I did it, I'm still applying the compositional ideas into every
solo". After college, a year was spent locked in a room composing, just trying to "put it all together" and completing a
Symphony, Sonata, 4 part Fugues and varied works. Then the performing career ramped up. "Some of my first jobs were with Keith Lockhart (now
conductor of Boston Symphony Orchestra) playing local venues and High School proms. It's hard to believe we played weekends
together in an Elvis impersonator Band!!"
Twenty five+ years of gigging and teaching has helped build a good foundation.
Teaching/playing
and holding a guitar all day since 2002 hasn't hurt a thing.
MASTER CLASS STUDIES with:
Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Pat Metheny, Pat Martino, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Charlie Mingus, Bucky Pizzarelli, Russell Malone,
Kurt Rosenwinkel, Joe Beck, Buddy Defranco, Dave Liebman, John Abercrombie, Peter Leitch, Joe Satriani, John Patitucci, Romero Lubambo, Harvie S (Swartz) ....Various National Guitar Workshop, J Aebersold, IAJE, Berklee activities.
CLASS ROOM STUDIES: Jimmy Bruno, Howard
Alden, Rufus Reid, Jack Wilkins, Joe Diorio, Peter Bernstein, Dave Stryker, Rodney Jones, Jody Fisher, David Baker, Corey
Christiansen, Chris Vadala, Barry Greene, Sheryl Bailey, Jack Grassel, John Laporta, Bret Willmot, Bill Pierce, Jamey
Aebersold, Jim Kelly, Jerome Harris, Tom Dempsey, Fred Hamilton, Dan Haerle, Gary Campbell, Steve Erquiaga, Peter
Mazza, Jim Snidero, Adam Rafferty, Kenny Wessel, Pete McCann, Will Ray, Pat Bergeson, Bill Bresnahan, Al Defino, Mike
Grady, Lou Mucci, Bill Maloof, John Bavicci, Tom McGah, Jon
Damian, Tony Germain, Jeff Stout, Chris Frigon, Ron Jackson, Dave Fiuczynski, Peter Hume, Tony Lada, Matt Marvuglio,
Stu Balcomb, Gary Brunotte, George Zonce, Pat Pattison, Peter Hazzard, Michael Rendish, Walter Harp, Robert Harrigan,
Jon Klein, Alex Radulescu, et al. Each artist has left a marked influence on Helgeson.
CLINIC COMRADES: Pat Harbison, John Fedchock,
Scott Wendholt, Rick Simerly, Ariel Alexander, Greg Day
"I had a private lesson with Jody Fisher in
2007. What a great way to kick off some serious chord melody work!"
"I spent a 2 days studing improv and
playing in a rhythm section with Chris Vadala (Sax)..once again, I'll never be the same....his intensity and level of motivation
is ....unbelievable". (The insight gained over a simple lunch or coffee.....is .....well... Amazing.. but its the
music that speaks the most!!!)
Notes for those who share the Passion of Guitar...Bruce
plays:
-Gibson L-4-TI .011 Strings,
-Gibson L-5, with Magnetic Benedetto S6 Pickup & Piezo Bridge(occasionally mixed into Pendulum SPS-1 Stereo Mix
parametric EQ), .011 RW Thomastik Infield Bebop.
-Ibanez AK-85 Archtop; Acoustic Image Clarus 2R Amp (200W @ 4 Ohms). Two Raezer's Edge Stealth
S10 Speakers.
-Hamer Newport/PhatCat PUPs; D'addario
.010's Matchless Chieftain 40W Amp El-34's-Groovetubes-#6, or #5, 4-10's Open back. Picks: Dunlop 205.
