Bruce Forman: The Book of Forman

B4Man Music
By Ric Bang
Buy CD: The Book of Forman

You may not be familiar with Forman’s skill as a guitarist, but chances are you’ve heard him. That’s particularly true for Clint Eastwood fans; Forman was featured on the soundtracks of Million Dollar Baby, Flags of Our Fathers and Hereafter.  

Oh, yes: and on 18 other albums prior to this one.

Essentially self-taught, Forman started to play professionally after graduating from high school. His early years were spent in San Francisco and New York, and he began working with name musicians in the late 1970s. He served as a sideman in numerous groups, and played with Richie Cole from 1978 through ’82. Forman didn’t release albums under his own name until 1980; during the subsequent decade, he averaged about one a year. 

He’s currently an educator as well as a performer, teaching master classes and serving as an adjunct assistant professor at USC’s Thornton School of Music.

Although primarily identified as a bebop guitarist, Forman formed a western jazz group known as the Cow Bop Band in the early 2000s, and played swinging versions of songs by Patsy Cline and other country stars. For this new release, though, he has returned to his bop/straight-ahead roots.

Forman composed the majority of the 11 tunes on this album, which also includes three titles from the Great American Songbook: “On the Street Where You Live” (Lerner and Lowe), “The Song Is You” (Kern and Hammerstein) and “You Go To My Head” (Gillespie and Coots). 

Forman and his trio swing wonderfully. He’s supported by young bassist Alex Frank, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums; the latter has been around for years, and has worked with many name bands.

Considering how grooved this trio is, it’s also one of the most relaxed and tasteful groups working these days. Whether at a club, or from your sound machine, you’ll enjoy this stuff immensely.

The Bruce Forman Trio: Formanism

BFM Music
By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Formanism

One of the great things about jazz is that periodically I discover a “new” artist, despite having spent most of my life deeply involved in the art. I sometimes become convinced that I’ve heard all of the ones who count ... and, gratefully, that’s never the case. To paraphrase a popular line: So much great jazz, so little time.

Guitarist Bruce Forman is one such example. I’ve heard him many times, but without knowing who I was listening to. Most Clint Eastwood fans know that he’s a true jazz nut; just listen to the soundtracks in many of his movies, and you’ll know what I mean. So, who played the guitar on the soundtrack for Million Dollar Baby, and several others Eastwood films? That would be Bruce Forman.

He has been part of the jazz scene for more than two decades, both as a sideman and leader, and has recorded with luminaries such as Ray Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Barney Kessel and Kenny Burell. Forman also has taught since his teens, conducted workshops internationally, and published written and video teaching guides.

One of the most interesting aspects of Forman’s musical career is his interest — and fluency — in all music genres. This new disc features him in a traditional/bop-tinged style, but he also has released albums that demonstrate his skills as a Country/Western artist; Swingin’ Out West and Route 66, featuring a group named Cow Bop, are examples.

Trio formats come in many, many flavors. Forman’s guitar-led group is a welcome variation, and this release blends standards (“I’ve Told Every Little Star,” “Flamingo,” “Happens to You”) with original compositions. The operative description? Everything swings brightly.

You’ll immediately notice the immaculate interplay among these three artists. When Forman plays a complex melodic line, bassist Gabe Noel doesn’t merely keep the beat; he echoes the same line, or a similar chord progression, which results in a delightful mix. In a similar manner, drummer Jake Reed further augments the beat, without ever interfering. 

This is an extremely tasteful group: so good that you won’t feel like any conversational background. You’ll just want to listen.