Klugh has also worked with George Benson and Chick Corea and was selected by George Shearing for one of his tours.
With more than 20 albums to his credit, Klugh still plays an acoustic, nylon-stringed guitar and has resisted efforts to go electric. Although not strictly jazz-oriented, almost all of his albums have been commercial successes in the pop-instrumental market.
We talked to him about music and his concert tomorrow:
QUESTION: How many performances a year are you doing now?
ANSWER: It varies. For a lot of years I didn't work very much at all. I took a break after 1987. But this year we'll do about 70 concerts. I'm entering my semi-retirement phase. I enjoy playing live from time to time because I think it's good to revitalize that since I've worked in the studio for so many years. But playing in concert still isn't like playing in a nightclub. In a concert you play music from your records as opposed to playing more spontaneously.
Q: Why are your albums generally so commercially successful?
A: They are always real melodic and if you're an instrumentalist that's one of the keys to selling. Even Miles Davis in the early days, he had elements of melody which brought him to the forefront. I'm a strong melody person and use a lot of chord changes in melody regardless of the musical influences.
Q: Have your musical influences changed over time?
A: The people who influenced me in the beginning are still with me. They are the ones I still look to and listen to. Whenever I hear a really great song it motivates me to go out and try to write something new and different. I listen to everything from 20th century classical music to blues, all across the spectrum. I certainly don't specifically listen to jazz guitar. Jazz guitarist is a label that's been put on me. Believe me when I wake up in the morning I don't first turn on jazz guitar.
Q: So then what is Earl Klugh?
A: I can't tell you specifically. It's like someone asking you what kind of person are you. I can't label myself because it has no bearing. I listen to too much and enjoy too much. But I will say that most of my influences have nothing to do with guitar. I was smart enough at a young age to realize that that was something I needed to get away from. You are never going to have a distinctive voice if you sound like another guitar player. That's the road to no where.
I love George Benson, I love Chet Atkins, I love Wes Montgomery and honestly outside of those guys I haven't heard much innovation. They sort of laid down the law. My main influences have been piano players. It's a superior instrument to other instruments because it can play more notes, has a larger range and more can be done with it. I try to incorporate from a guitar perspective as much from other instruments as I can.
Q: So what will we be hearing in your Honolulu performance?
A: Well me and David (Benoit) will play some of his tunes and some of mine. This (tour) has been a lot of fun. This is the kind of show that keeps me on my toes because you never know when someone is going off in their own direction so you have got to be ready. This show can be very off the cuff. We are learning to adapt to each other's style. So everyone could be in for some surprises.
What: Earl Klugh in concert with David Benoit
Where: Waikiki Shell
When: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow
Tickets: $25, $18.50 and $15 in advance ($17.50 general the day of show)
Call: 545-4000 or (800)-333-3388