Many thanks to the good Reverand of RRMGJ fame, Lawson Stone, for sharing the following handwritten letter from Joe Pass written in September 1993, mere months prior to Joe's death in the Spring of 1994. Lawson prudently edited out some of the letter pertaining to addresses, phone numbers, and names. As a result of the editing process, the letter may seemingly contain a few unfinished thoughts here and there.
Realizing that the letter may be a little difficult to read in parts, Lawson has thoughtfully transcribed the letter. The transcription can be found at the end of this page.
In this letter, Joe Pass mentions the endorsement of the Epiphone Emperor II. More importantly, though, the letter offers a glimpse into the inner man of Joe Pass, allowing the rest of us to see Joe for who he truly was - a human being who just happened to play jazz guitar for a living. Too many times we think of musicians as just that - musicians. We forget that music is simply their job and that their humanity is worth infinitely more than their talent.
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Dear Lawson,
Thanks for the kind letter. I'm sorry it took so long to answer. I've been carrying your letter with me all over the states + Europe. Well better late than never. I am writing from Flt 450--Hamburg to LA - Sept 27th. I live part of the time... [edited]
I don't practice much, but play alot when I'm working - mostly solo. I've been off for awhile. Had some health problems and I have the last year - taken to reading the Bible and books on Christianity. I guess I'm getting old and more serious about life. Just read a book by Max Lucado "The Eye of the Storm" about Jesus!
Any way - so much for that stuff. You are listening to good players, pal [Note from Lawson: I'd mentioned in my letter {to Joe Pass} that an early inspiration for me was Chet Atkins, but I had also discovered Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow. I think Joe actually scrambled the names and wrote "Tal, Chet, Farlow, Herb Ellis"] Chet, Farlow, Herb Ellis. Next year and this for a matter of fact, starting Nov. 6th, I will make a tour of Florida + upstate NY with 3 other guitarists - Peppy Romero, Paco Pena, Leo Kottke + me. Then in Feb, we will tour the west coast - same group. Should be fun. I don't think we will play together though! I play mostly fingerstyle now (no pick) and alot more slower - and more melodies, though I do play one or two songs with a pick to show off for the young cats (guitarists).
I endorse Epiphone Emperor for Gibson but play ES175 they made for me last year - a great guitar. I took it [Note from Lawson: I think he's talking here about the custom ES175 Gibson made for him, that he uses on "An Evening with Joe Pass"] out of the case and played it. Thats it!
I have an old ES175 1960. Great guitar. I was totally shook about Red Mitchell. He had called me a couple of months to see how I was feeling. And one day I pick up the newspaper and read about him! [Note from Lawson: I had mentioned in my letter the news of Red Mitchell's death, having only bought "Finally" the Pass/Mitchell duet recording]
Well I will close now. My address in LA is... [edited]
Joe Pass
Thanks again for the letter and kind words - all the best to you + family
Joe Pass
PS Excuse the spilling.
PSS I carry only a guitar and a DI box (Direct Box). So, I plug into the house system, wherever I play... good system - good sound... bad system - bad sound. And I use very little amp sound.
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