Robert Conti

Hello Bob ,this is Claude the Jacksonville Police officer that always stopped in to talk to u when u had ur place at 1805 Atlantic Blvd. I even bought a Lincoln Guitar from u when u were going to get them to sponsor u . You remember Martha my girlfriend that would come in to see u with me well we got married in 78 and we both are retired from the Sheriffs Office down here . The last time I saw u I got out of my Police car over on Belfort Road when u had that white lincoln. We had some great times at that place on Atlantic Blvd next to the dance studio remember. Remember when u used my fender amp to make a recording once I still have the cassette of what u recorded. Those were the good old days my friend when we would go get pizza and eat there and u had that black buick riviera and u would take pictures of all of us and put them on the wall remember . You even took one of my supervisor LT. BENNETT.
Just happened to see ur name and thought I would say hello .We will always be friends ...
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Hello Bob ,this is Claude the Jacksonville Police officer that always stopped in to talk to u when u had ur place at 1805 Atlantic Blvd. I even bought a Lincoln Guitar from u when u were going to get them to sponsor u . You remember Martha my girlfriend that would come in to see u with me well we got married in 78 and we both are retired from the Sheriffs Office down here . The last time I saw u I got out of my Police car over on Belfort Road when u had that white lincoln. We had some great times at that place on Atlantic Blvd next to the dance studio remember. Remember when u used my fender amp to make a recording once I still have the cassette of what u recorded. Those were the good old days my friend when we would go get pizza and eat there and u had that black buick riviera and u would take pictures of all of us and put them on the wall remember . You even took one of my supervisor LT. BENNETT.
Just happened to see ur name and thought I would say hello .We will always be friends .I am glad u made it and I am more glad that we were friends .God bless .I hope u read this .

You guys won't believe this but I had the priviledge of taking guitar lessons from (Bob) while I attended high school in Jax1967-70. My buddy's Rob Hucks, Bruce Graybeal and I combined our 30 minute back to back lessons while playing in one of the first local bands around Jax. (The New Breed) Bob blew our minds....there was no one in his league! When we'd show up for our lesson in the loft of Paulis Music store downtown, Bob would have the hottest looking woman in town hanging all over him. At 16 years of age, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I started out playing a Fender precision bass and I learned it inside out. Then later took guitar lessons from Mr. Conti until I left Florida to go to college in Texas. I showed people guitar chords and riffs that they never knew existed. And then I let them listen to "Latin Love Affair" (Bob autographed that one for me). I remember one Saturday afternoon....I'm downtown Jax at Marvin Kay's Music store window shopping ...
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You guys won't believe this but I had the priviledge of taking guitar lessons from (Bob) while I attended high school in Jax1967-70. My buddy's Rob Hucks, Bruce Graybeal and I combined our 30 minute back to back lessons while playing in one of the first local bands around Jax. (The New Breed) Bob blew our minds....there was no one in his league! When we'd show up for our lesson in the loft of Paulis Music store downtown, Bob would have the hottest looking woman in town hanging all over him. At 16 years of age, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I started out playing a Fender precision bass and I learned it inside out. Then later took guitar lessons from Mr. Conti until I left Florida to go to college in Texas. I showed people guitar chords and riffs that they never knew existed. And then I let them listen to "Latin Love Affair" (Bob autographed that one for me). I remember one Saturday afternoon....I'm downtown Jax at Marvin Kay's Music store window shopping and in walks Robert Conti. Every salesman and store employee stopped what they were doing....Bob picked up a big hollowbody Gretch off the shelf, an amp and chord magically appeared and Bob saw me and said "Steve, grab that bass and sit down here.....He/we tore the place down for about 10 minutes. I was in heaven! Bob, I'll be out in Jax in March. I'd give my left _ _ t to see you again. You are THE BEST!  Steve Shrout

Bob, To quote a famous commercial "I love Ya Man". Seeing those pics
from the 70's really brought back some memories. Those were wild times.
You in your reclining chair looking like a cast member of "The
Sopranos'" ripping off notes etc with your paper thin pick (I remember
thinking "This is all wrong" but its happening). The nightly craziness,
endless stream of players of all abilities, the dinner/pizza runs and
numerous embarassing/stomach churning opportunites to display my lack
of ablility. "Hey (fill in a name) come in here and here this kid play"
Where upon I proceed to frantically chop my way through Satin Doll or
some other standard. It was an experience I've never forgotten.
I was then and still am in awe of your musical ability/talent and
while I will never play with the same musical or technical ability, you
did leave me with a greater love and appreciation for Jazz. But most ...
show whole message

Bob, To quote a famous commercial "I love Ya Man". Seeing those pics
from the 70's really brought back some memories. Those were wild times.
You in your reclining chair looking like a cast member of "The
Sopranos'" ripping off notes etc with your paper thin pick (I remember
thinking "This is all wrong" but its happening). The nightly craziness,
endless stream of players of all abilities, the dinner/pizza runs and
numerous embarassing/stomach churning opportunites to display my lack
of ablility. "Hey (fill in a name) come in here and here this kid play"
Where upon I proceed to frantically chop my way through Satin Doll or
some other standard. It was an experience I've never forgotten.
I was then and still am in awe of your musical ability/talent and
while I will never play with the same musical or technical ability, you
did leave me with a greater love and appreciation for Jazz. But most
important, when I left your studio in 79' I left with the sound and
tone in my heart, ears and

Dear Robert:

About eight years ago, I discovered you during one of your evening
performances at the Irvine Marriott Hotel in Newport Beach. As a jazz
guitarist myself, I simply could not believe what I witnessed at the
occasion. At the intermission, you had the deference to make yourself
available to me and over a scotch or two, we conversed for a while.
I know this happened years ago, but for me, these circumstances will
remain as an extraordinary, unforgettable experience for the rest of my
life.

At a much earlier time, one night, during the summer of 1974, I shook
hands for the first time with my beloved idol, absolute mentor and full
source of musical inspiration, the late Joe Pass. That occurred at
Donte's, a jazz spot in North Hollywood which today is no longer in
existence. That one was,too, a fascinating, memorable as well as
unique event whereby I also had the privilege to talk in lenght with
...
show whole message

Dear Robert:

About eight years ago, I discovered you during one of your evening
performances at the Irvine Marriott Hotel in Newport Beach. As a jazz
guitarist myself, I simply could not believe what I witnessed at the
occasion. At the intermission, you had the deference to make yourself
available to me and over a scotch or two, we conversed for a while.
I know this happened years ago, but for me, these circumstances will
remain as an extraordinary, unforgettable experience for the rest of my
life.

At a much earlier time, one night, during the summer of 1974, I shook
hands for the first time with my beloved idol, absolute mentor and full
source of musical inspiration, the late Joe Pass. That occurred at
Donte's, a jazz spot in North Hollywood which today is no longer in
existence. That one was,too, a fascinating, memorable as well as
unique event whereby I also had the privilege to talk in lenght with
the Maestro.

As a deep lover of jazz music ever since I was child, born

Mr Conti.

I recently purchased three of your chord melody books. Along with that
I received your CD "Comin' on Strong" DAMN!!!! Excellent!!
I'm a huge fan of Jonny Smith. Jimmy Bruno also. Their playing is so
clean. Johnny is spotless. So are you. That's quite an elite group you
are in. I'm in China for the next three weeks. When I get home to
Georgia I will spred the word to my friends about you. (I think you may
also have picked up some fans over here in China.)

Now to your books. I'm having a blast playing with your arrangements of
"Skylark" and "Willow Weep for Me". I have been transcribing and
playing Johnny's solos for quite some time. Your style is altogether
different yet just as good. I particularly enjoy the way you move tones
between changes. I am learning much from working with your
arrangements. It's a whole new perspective for me. That is the most I
have received ...
show whole message

Mr Conti.

I recently purchased three of your chord melody books. Along with that
I received your CD "Comin' on Strong" DAMN!!!! Excellent!!
I'm a huge fan of Jonny Smith. Jimmy Bruno also. Their playing is so
clean. Johnny is spotless. So are you. That's quite an elite group you
are in. I'm in China for the next three weeks. When I get home to
Georgia I will spred the word to my friends about you. (I think you may
also have picked up some fans over here in China.)

Now to your books. I'm having a blast playing with your arrangements of
"Skylark" and "Willow Weep for Me". I have been transcribing and
playing Johnny's solos for quite some time. Your style is altogether
different yet just as good. I particularly enjoy the way you move tones
between changes. I am learning much from working with your
arrangements. It's a whole new perspective for me. That is the most I
have received for my money in a L O N G time. It really helps pass the
time in hotel rooms as I travel allot. Thank

To Guestbook Readers:

I studied and took private lessons in jazz guitar with Robert Conti in
Jacksonville, Florida. I went from a medicore player with a slight
jazz background and a few "cowboy chords" in my hand...to a player who
could play whole, impressive songs. Jazz standards, the real music.
Frontwards, backwards, he could teach you the songs both ways. Joe
Pass said one time that Robert Conti was the "fastest guitarist
alive". I believe Joe. There is a genius alive behind that guitar, in
that man. In those fingers.

If you are a dedicated jazz player, you need to check out Conti's
lessons. You will go somewhere with your abilities. Conti taught me
that once you have the foundation...the chords...THEN, the chops can
come...so, be patient with the chops...sharpen the axe of your fingers
with some of Conti's "String Fever", when you're ready...if you're
gonna cook, you gotta ...
show whole message

To Guestbook Readers:

I studied and took private lessons in jazz guitar with Robert Conti in
Jacksonville, Florida. I went from a medicore player with a slight
jazz background and a few "cowboy chords" in my hand...to a player who
could play whole, impressive songs. Jazz standards, the real music.
Frontwards, backwards, he could teach you the songs both ways. Joe
Pass said one time that Robert Conti was the "fastest guitarist
alive". I believe Joe. There is a genius alive behind that guitar, in
that man. In those fingers.

If you are a dedicated jazz player, you need to check out Conti's
lessons. You will go somewhere with your abilities. Conti taught me
that once you have the foundation...the chords...THEN, the chops can
come...so, be patient with the chops...sharpen the axe of your fingers
with some of Conti's "String Fever", when you're ready...if you're
gonna cook, you gotta stay in the oven for a while, so, you gotta
practice, or you aren't gonna get a thing.

Thanks for the 4 1/2 years of great lessons in Florida (and for
introducing me to the playing of Pat Martino and Johnny Smith). I never
would have learned so much without your help. I still wonder to this
day how you play the way you do with such ease.

Your playing style is unique...NO ONE sounds like you...and that is
remarkable considering the number of guitarists playing today. Your
chord melody arrangements are exquisite. The guitar teacher I had at
Berklee College of Music in Boston a while back was visibly shaken when
I played one of your arrangements for him...he was *that* blown away.
(I should have told him it was one of my arrangements...ha, ha) I soon
discovered I was not going to learn much guitar there after learning
from you and to focus on other areas.

I hope to return full time to the guitar playing world (when I have
more time) after I complete my degree...when ever that is! Thanks again!
...
show whole message

Thanks for the 4 1/2 years of great lessons in Florida (and for
introducing me to the playing of Pat Martino and Johnny Smith). I never
would have learned so much without your help. I still wonder to this
day how you play the way you do with such ease.

Your playing style is unique...NO ONE sounds like you...and that is
remarkable considering the number of guitarists playing today. Your
chord melody arrangements are exquisite. The guitar teacher I had at
Berklee College of Music in Boston a while back was visibly shaken when
I played one of your arrangements for him...he was *that* blown away.
(I should have told him it was one of my arrangements...ha, ha) I soon
discovered I was not going to learn much guitar there after learning
from you and to focus on other areas.

I hope to return full time to the guitar playing world (when I have
more time) after I complete my degree...when ever that is! Thanks again!

(Please videotape a "live" performance!)  

Carl  8)