Live in studio interview and performance on 88.5 KPLU Wednesday Nov. 14 around 12:15pm. TUNE IN! Make a reservation for this show.Graham Dechter websiteJeff Hamilton websiteGraham Dechter TwitterGraham Dechter FacebookGraham Dechter YoutubeGraham Dechter LIVEThe Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley welcomes guitarist Graham Dechter touring in support of his newest release, Takin' It There. Band members are Graham Dechter (guitar), Jeff Hamilton (drums), Josh Nelson (piano) and Christoph Luty (bass). Show times Tuesday - Thursday at 7:30pm. Doors open at 5:30pm each night."Swing-inspired riffs reign supreme on Dechter's album. The group's improvisations are manageable while unleashing a free spirit that entices audiences to fly with them." ~Susan Frances, JazzTimesAn accomplished guitarist, composer and arranger, Graham Dechter plays with the kind of swinging authority and seasoned maturity that belies his young age. The 26-year-old Los Angeles native shows a deep reverence for the jazz guitar tradition in his warm-toned renditions of ballads, bossas, bebop and blues. A formidable soloist and consummate accompanist, he imbues standards with rare enthusiasm and an inherent bluesiness while carving out his own path with several affecting original compositions. On his new release Takin' It There (2012), a distinct Herb Ellis influence is apparent in Dechter's string-bending prowess on the blues-soaked "Grease for Graham." Says the guitarist, "I asked John [Clayton] to write a tune for the new recording, and when I saw the title, I cracked up… I put my best B.B. King hat on for that one." The gospel-tinged title track, written three years ago by Dechter's close friend, pianist-composer Josh Nelson, is what triggered the impetus for the guitarist's second recording project. "Josh wrote the tune as a feature for me with my sound in mind, which was a huge compliment," says Dechter. "I kind of drew from it, conceptually and musically as well. There's a definite vibe to it and I wanted the rest of the tunes to share a similar feel." He has toured extensively and has performed and recorded with some of the most respected names in music including Michael Buble, Benny Golson, James Moody, John Pizzarelli, Larry Goldings, Jon Hendricks, Nancy Wilson, Kurt Elling, Billy Taylor, Benny Green, Bill Charlap, Paquito D'Rivera, Clark Terry, Snooky Young and Wynton Marsalis. In 2005, drummer Jeff Hamilton invited Dechter to join the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (CHJO). Dechter was 19 at the time and became the youngest member of the acclaimed orchestra. Jeff Hamilton is perhaps best known for his work with Ray Brown, Oscar Peterson and Diana Krall in addition to the CHJO. Well known for his melodic solos and versatility, Hamilton is constantly in demand whether he is recording or performing! $18.50