In 1990 One of Japans treasures visited Edmonton to perform his compositions on Koto Harp. He was staying at a friend of ours home I was invited over to bring my guitar and jam with him. That is how I came to meet Kicho Takano and his lovely wife Michiko. It was a magical afternoon. He was a master musician who traveled the world performing in many concerts either solo or with other great musicians. I certainly had not  earned an opportunity to be in the company of such a renowned Japanese Koto musician. I was able to improvise along with his playing and it felt like magic and was a great inspiration to me. He was so gracious and made me feel confident in his company. He asked me to play something I played, so I picked a country piece called Freight Train He joined in easily improvising Koto lines that embellished what I was doing .Again Magic! He gave me a couple of CDs of his .I recently decided to play some guitar with him again using his CD to see if the Magic of that day could be revisited. This is 2024 and Kicho Takano would be 100 years old this year.

Messages In The Wind

Fell in love with Guitar sounds since I first heard Duane Eddy twanging out Rebel Rouser. Then I heard  Chet Atkins Hi Fi in Focus album. This was back around 1960.Me and my brother Cliff got guitars as soon as we could and started learning ourselves to play some tunes. Now about 60 years later I am still loving it. I lost Cliff last year but his jazz loving influence is still present in my playing. You can just never stop learning new stuff and ways of playing when you love the sound a guitar makes. My son Bryce also fell in love with guitar and he also is a fine singer. Il be also posting some songs that have been able play along with him.I  just hope there are people who will enjoy the music I play and post, thankyou Al Gibbs

Messages In The Wind

Big Al from the Grove