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Will Sellenraad
The son of prominent New York painters, he was destined towards music at an early age. Raised and immersed in the City's downtown art and music culture, Sellenraad was able to focus all his energies and talent toward the guitar. After being awarded numerous scholarships, Sellenraad graduated from the New School University Jazz Program in 1995, where he studied under many jazz giants.
A recipient of several grants from the New York State Council on the Arts, Sellenraad is a mainstay on the music scene in and around New York City, appearing at storied jazz venues such as The 55 Bar, Smalls, Mezzrow, The Blue Note, Birdland, The Iridium, the former Sweet Basil and many others.
Gear
Trenier Guitars, John Pearse strings, Blue Chip Picks, Reunion Blues Cases, Peluso Microphones, I also love old Fender & Gibson amps...
Tags
Will Sellenraad - Eric McPherson - Rene Hart: Greene Street Vol.1
![Read "Greene Street Vol.1" reviewed by Geno Thackara](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/3dfbc93cd3a6bda56337afb71c96a983.jpg)
by Geno Thackara
Considering how well Will Sellenraad clearly knows the history and ins-and-outs of jazz guitar, he might seem to be making a statement by using a title so reminiscent of Grant Green's classic Green Street (Blue Note, 1961). To be sure, this one does show the influence of some key six-stringers such as Green, Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny and others through to the present, and it happens to have the same guitar-trio lineup. Still, from the droning guitar static which opens ...
read moreTake Five With Will Sellenraad
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by Will Sellenraad
Meet Will Sellenraad Will Sellenraad has earned a fast growing reputation of being at the forefront of creative musicians working in New York City. Known for his brilliant improvisations and his compelling, melodic compositions, this New York City native melds the various styles, phrasings and concepts of the jazz idiom with the raw elements of soul, rock and funk, to create a singular sound that is nothing short of inspiring. Will has been active in New York since 1995 playing ...
read moreJoshua Redman & Chick Corea
![Read "Joshua Redman & Chick Corea" reviewed by Joe Dimino](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/169035029c9e0386716c555421f46057.jpg)
by Joe Dimino
From the New York City veteran jazz guitar cat Will Sellenraad, we begin a new episode with the cut Allegorical off his new 2019 CD Greene Street Volume 1. From there, we hear the rich sound of Joshua Redman and Dublin-born violinist Gregory Harrington. As the show carries one, we hear from Maynard Ferguson and feature the Kansas City band River Cow Orchestra led by E.E. Pointer. The show also features Teodross Avery, Kevin Harris and Chick Corea. We round ...
read moreWill Sellenraad: Balance
![Read "Balance" reviewed by Greg Camphire](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/2009/willsellenraad_jr.jpg)
by Greg Camphire
Balance is the third album as leader for up-and-coming guitarist Will Sellenraad, capturing a day's session of his seasoned working band laying down first or second studio takes of their current repertoire. The six-stringer has a classic tone reminiscent of Wes Montgomery and Grant Green, and it serves him well on this set of mostly his own compositions. The album's title track keeps an interesting balance of rhythmic feels, alternating between waltz time and 4/4 swing. It ...
read moreWill Sellenraad: Balance
![Read "Balance" reviewed by J Hunter](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/2009/willsellenraad_jr.jpg)
by J Hunter
Will Sellenraad grew up in a place and time many people dream of: New York City's downtown scene of the '60s and '70s, when music and art were both in a state of quicksilver flux. Given that his parents (prominent New York artists themselves) named their son after modern-art pioneers William de Kooning and Piet Mondrian, it is pure serendipity that Sellenraad's Beezwax Records debut reflects the sound of CTI, a record label that got just as much criticism as ...
read moreWill Sellenraad & Root Down: Star Hustler
![Read "Star Hustler" reviewed by Mark F. Turner](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/035e18c094caa3dab2bed26fc0661334.jpg)
by Mark F. Turner
The great organ trios of the '60s were sustained by people who loved fun, carefree, and relative music. Whether in smoky clubs, or backwoods watering holes, the music was for, and about the people. The visceral art of the jazz organ trio is exactly what Will Sellenraad & Root Down's Star Hustler delivers. To the point: Music that is simply funky, entertaining, and engaging. The backwoods of guitarist Sellenraad are the concrete streets of New York, where he has gigged ...
read moreWill Sellenraad, Eric McPherson and Rene Hart release 'Greene Street Vol. 1' 0n Deko Music
![Will Sellenraad, Eric McPherson and Rene Hart release 'Greene Street Vol. 1' 0n Deko Music](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/3dfbc93cd3a6bda56337afb71c96a983.jpg)
Source:
Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
“For his fourth album, guitarist Will Sellenraad set out to capture a social dynamic in motion. He called on two longtime associates, bassist Rene Hart and drummer Eric McPherson, and made Green Street Vol. 1, which is due out on Deko Music on June 14. The album includes tunes by all three musicians, but its opening trackand first single, premiering hereis a song by pianist James Williams, Alter Ego." Perhaps you remember the tune from Williams' album by that name ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Will Sellenraad
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Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Will Sellenraad's birthday today!
Hailed as a hidden gem," guitarist/composer Will Sellenraad has earned a fast growing reputation of being at the forefront of a new generation of jazz musicians. Known for his brilliant improvisations and his compelling, emotive compositions, this New York City native melds the various styles, phrasings and concepts of the jazz idiom with the raw elements of soul, rock and funk... Read more.
Place our Musician of the Day widget on ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Will Sellenraad
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Will Sellenraad](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/169035029c9e0386716c555421f46057.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Will Sellenraad's birthday today!
Hailed as a hidden gem," guitarist/composer Will Sellenraad has earned a fast growing reputation of being at the forefront of a new generation of jazz musicians. Known for his brilliant improvisations and his compelling, emotive compositions, this New York City native melds the various styles, phrasings and concepts of the jazz idiom with the raw elements of soul, rock and funk... Read more.
Place our Musician of the Day widget on ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Will Sellenraad
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Will Sellenraad](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/169035029c9e0386716c555421f46057.jpg)
Source:
All About Jazz is celebrating Will Sellenraad's birthday today!
Hailed as a hidden gem," guitarist/composer Will Sellenraad has earned a fast growing reputation of being at the forefront of a new generation of jazz musicians. Known for his brilliant improvisations and his compelling, emotive compositions, this New York City native melds the various styles, phrasings and concepts of the jazz idiom with the raw elements of soul, rock and funk...Hailed as a hidden gem," guitarist/composer Will Sellenraad has earned a ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Will Sellenraad
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Will Sellenraad](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/169035029c9e0386716c555421f46057.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Will Sellenraad's birthday today!
JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE DAY Will Sellenraad
Hailed as a hidden gem," guitarist/composer Will Sellenraad has earned a fast growing reputation of being at the forefront of a new generation of jazz musicians. Known for his brilliant improvisations and his compelling... more
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Enter the Beezwax Records "Will Sellenraad - Balance" Giveaway Contest
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Source:
All About Jazz
All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Beezwax Records Will Sellenraad - Balance giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on May 31st. Click here to enter the contest
(Following Will Sellenraad at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.)
Good luck! Your Friends at Beezwax Records
About Will Sellenraad Hailed as a hidden gem," guitarist/composer Will Sellenraad has earned a fast growing reputation of being at ...
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"Balance hits a satisfying sweet spot... A student of both Jim Hall and John Abercrombie, Sellenraad's guitar finds a wonderfully happy medium through Balance that takes Grant Green's cool blue sound and brings it to a grittier, more urban place." - All About Jazz
"gorgeous, subdued guitar lines... The music has an easy feeling and strong character. A good mix by a very together group." - The Santa Fe New Mexican-Pasatiempo
Primary Instrument
Guitar
Location
New York City
Willing to teach
Advanced only