Tim May is among a small handful of steadily working studio guitarists remaining on the scene in Los Angeles. That in itself speaks volumes in a town full of extraordinary players. On his new Cd, “Trio,” featuring all original compositions, May forsakes his protean studio man persona and expresses himself as a first-class jazzer and imaginative and thoughtful composer. May’s tunes are melodic and have the character and construction that lend themselves to improvisation. In fact, it’s tough to choose exceptional cuts here because they’re all outstanding. And the listener gets his money’s worth as each rendition is lengthy. May’s extended lines, however, are always captivating and never gratuitous. All his solos build and they all tell a story. and vibrant solos. Once in a Downbeat blindfold test, Joe Pass evaluated an Eric Clapton cut, “Badge” by saying “I don’t know who that is but there are cats here in L.A. who can do that, and do it everyday, right on the button, right on demand.” Ironically, that issue featured a transcription of George Benson’s solo on Miles’ “So What” by a young college kid named Tim May. Now, more than thirty years later with May as a studio veteran, just imagine how far the bar has been raised.

Jim Carlton from

Conversations With Great Jazz Guitarists