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It is with great sorrow that the family of Howard Morgen announces his passing on February 15, 2012. He fought a valiant battle against Leukemia for 5 1/2 years while continuing to finish what he called his life's work. This site will remain up and active in the hopes that, through his work, he will live on.
Howard Morgen, six and seven-string guitarist/clinician and arranger wrote fingerstyle jazz guitar columns and arrangements for Guitar Player, Guitar World, Acoustic Guitar, Fingerstyle Guitar and was a columnist for Just Jazz Guitar magazine. In addition, Howard authored The Gershwin Collection for Solo Guitar, The Ellington Collection for Solo Guitar, Ten from Guitar Player, Solo Guitar Insights, Fingerstyle Favorites, Concepts, Preparations (Warner Bros.), Paul Simon for Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar (Amsco Pub.), and Fingerstyle Jazz Images for Christmas (Mel-Bay). His solo CD Howard Morgen plays Gershwin won critical acclaim. He was a guest artist/teacher during Jazz Week at the National Guitar Summer Workshop in Connecticut (1995-1997) and was on the faculty of the Guitar Study Center of the New School in Manhattan and the Jazz Studies Program at C.W.Post Campus, Long Island University.
Among Howard’s students over the years were singer-songwriter Paul Simon, Edie Brickel, Carly Simon, and Christine Lavin. His bio is included in Maurice Summerfield’s The Jazz Guitar, Its Players and Personalities Since 1900.
Howard's recordings, The Song is You and Howard Morgen Plays Gershwin, are available on iTunes
His instructional video, Fingerboard Breakthrough, is available from TrueFire.com. Learn more on the Publications page.
"Listening to Howard Morgen play the seven string guitar is a most delightful musical experience. His reharmonizations of standards are very refreshing, full of surprises, but never rude to the ear. Howard is an accomplished, inspired musician and a truly great guitarist."
-George Van Eps