New Jersey Stage 2017: Issue 6 | Page 112

you dig? But, if you do your job well, you’ll make that diamond look even more beautiful than it would with no pillow. You’ll set it off. As the people leave they’ll talk about how beautiful the dia- mond looked. You’ll have done your job!” George has gigged and re- corded with folks like Darlene Love, Aretha Franklin and Don- ald Fagen, and has been in NJ’s legendary Hudson River Rats. His varied career as player/ar- ranger includes house guitarist NJ STAGE 2017 - Vol. 4 No. 6 at the world famous Apollo The- ater Amateur Show, as well as in the orchestra pit of Broadway shows. He says he’s pretty lucky that most of the time he plays with people who understand how to accompany soloists…but not always. “I’ve seen less experienced players get excited and smother the singer. I’ve also, on occasion, seen players of great renown do the same, which is more surpris- ing. One night a long time ago, I was at a NYC jam session. We INDEX NEXT ARTICLE 112