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I only met Emily Remler once when she played a concert together with Larry Coryell in a nice small club named “Subway” in Cologne, Germany, around 1985. She played her Borys guitar that evening, and we talked a little after the set (it was really a small club, very private character). What a nice person, and what an incredible warm sound she had. I didn’t hear anything again on her for years after that evening, until I read about her sudden death in 1990. What a loss, such a fine person and artist.
She touched my heart, soul & mind.
on 25 Feb 2009 at 10:22 PM Tom L said …
“East and Wes” somehow found it’s way to my CD player and I was completely floored by the fluidity of a guitarist I knew zilch about playing in a genre that I was mostly lukewarm towards …
now I’m working my way back through her music and thinking about another Emily who wrote about the candle burning at both ends–what a lovely light Ms. Remler left!
on 13 Feb 2009 at 5:03 AM Ben said …
My patient guitar teacher, Mark, suggested the other day that we learn Tenor Madness. Not familiar with the tune I looked for versions on the web and found Emily playing it on an Australian TV show, on YouTube. One thing led to another and I came across this brilliant site. Thank you so much for all the info, the live shows and the rest. Back in the 80s Emily sort of passed me by, perhaps because she was not an ECM artist! How much did I miss. And following Ed Woodall’s post of yesterday, I remember many hours of great music on Charles Fox’s programme on BBC Radio 3. God rest both Emily and Mr Fox’s souls. Thanks again. Ben.
on 12 Feb 2009 at 6:39 PM ed woodall said …
I first heard Emily’s playing on BBC Radio 3’s – “Jazz On 3″ introduced by Charles Fox, ( I think that was his name), when I was at boarding school, on a little transistor radio smuggled under my blankets, after lights out! I always remember Fox explaining that her skill was to be sparing with the notes. How true, and with what skill, love and pure musicality she plays. This must have been 1984/5. Take 2, Transitions, and East to Wes have been constant companions ever since. God rest her soul. e x
on 20 Jan 2009 at 5:49 PM Hildegard Uruejoma said …
Many years I was waiting for Emily Remler to perform in my home country Austria. – but she never showed up. It was not before 2000 that I learned that she had passed away.
On the 18 th february of that year my baby girl was born and I thought it would be a fine thing to give the baby the name of the best female guitarplayer I ‘ve ever heard. My baby Emily is now a beautiful nine year old girl, who reminds me sometimes of my youth, when I was listening the album together for years and thousands of times.
Last night when I was surfing the net I found this page by accident and as you can imagine I didn’t get any sleep, because I was listening to the wonderful sound of the guitar till morning. I appreciate that you share all the music and stuff about Emily Remler with me .
thanks
on 05 Jan 2009 at 10:50 PM Peter J Grahame said …
I had the privilege to see Emily perform in Wellington New Zealand at the International Festival of the Arts shortly before she died. Technically she was brilliant, but unfortunately her heart wasn’t in it, her music did not communicate and it seemed to be only technique. I suspect she was scagged & on the nod, (I’ve been there & i know what it looks like) Such a tragedy that so many bright & shining stars are extinguished by opiate dependency. I wrote a song in tribute to to her memory, and I still listen to the “Together” album often. I may not have seen Emily at her finest, but she inspired the musician in me to continue with my scales & arpeggios and remember that the music has to communicate personally. Thanks Emily, I’m glad i saw you.
on 26 Nov 2008 at 12:28 PM Jim Younger said …
Thank you for this amazing site and resource, dedicated to such a wonderful musician and guitarist.
I only discovered Ms Remler and heard her play for the first time today – but I have been knocked out by her talent.
Jim Y
on 21 Nov 2008 at 11:52 AM lu said …
Brenda, What a fortuitous moment you have chosen to become a fan of Emily. There has never been a better opportunity to listen and learn about her than exists now. Your questions cover wide ranging subjects and enough material for a book, a much anticipated and comprehensive book we are all eager to read but one that has yet to be written. What IS known about Emily’s public life is pretty much here, take your time and look around. For her guitars, a few went to friends who made contributions to her memorial charity, Jazz For Kids fund located in Pittsburgh back at that time. I suspect some are still in her closet at home, weeping for their caretaker. Her death is still numbing but there really are no new public disclosures about it even to this day. We have stated what is known, you will just have to follow up on passages and links mentioned on the Bio and Library pages. Still an open wound for many.
As for Emily the teacher, her two Hotlicks tapes recently converted to DVD are not only master-class jazz guitar lessons but also allowed her voice, wit, charm and talent to come beaming through the camera as well. How she comes across in those videos will tell you a lot about her; she was warm, funny, down to earth and all about encouraging personal growth and love of jazz guitar. You can also find some exclusive audio and written material from former students on the Lessons page that allow for unprecedented access behind the scenes of her teaching life.
Thanks so much for searching us out. That was our goal from the very beginning, to give Emily a place to be admired and discovered. It is a bitter-sweet moment to accidentally find her only to just as suddenly realize she was lost before you could even say hello.
But her music is here, her memory is here, her fans are here and now you are too. Enjoy your stay.
on 19 Nov 2008 at 11:26 PM Brenda Brooks said …
I wonder if anyone knows where Emily’s guitars are: Were they returned to family at her death, or enshrined someplace? Also, I would love to hear some stories about this wonderful musician I have so recently found … and then as it turns out, lost. I have poured over this fantastic site and continue to do so. There is so much wonderful information and I admire all of those who have been a part of putting it together. But I am still confused as to how she died and why. Also, is it possible to respectfully ask if anyone who knew her well would mind sharing some colorful stories about her. I would also love to hear more about Emily as a teacher. I have ordered a CD, but there is nothing like the personal words of those who knew her first-hand. Thank you for anything you might have to say. As for me, I can only say that it is a very strange feeling to discover a wonderful talent and personality at ten o’clock one evening while looking for “all things guitar” online, and then sit there stunned realizing they’re gone already and it’s not even midnight. My best to all her loyal and long-time fans.
on 29 Oct 2008 at 2:36 AM kent said …
i have a cassette that i made of emily live in las vegas {45 minutes} off of a station in knoxville. she does versions of “yesterdays”+”All blues” that absolutely take your breath..emily was a genius of the guitar and not a week goes by where i don’t wish she had a new release out or was going to be appearing live somewhere..you are missed emily.. kent in Atlanta,Ga.
on 19 Sep 2008 at 10:23 PM Roberto said …
Thanks to everybody in this great website!. Not only I love her music; I’ve improved my playing with her lessons, and now with the material I’ve found here. Excellent work, friends!. Thank you again.
on 31 Mar 2008 at 9:06 AM Tim Whalen said …
I haven’t thought about Emily in a long time but I’ll always have great memories of playing with her in little hole-in-the-wall bars in Brooklyn’s Park Slope.
When you first heard her play, you knew that you were playing with a well-studied, serious musician. She just seemed like one of the guys when it came to playing; definitely never thought of as “she plays pretty good for a girl”.
When I heard about her passing, I was shocked, she just seemed like the girl you would always run into every once in a while and say hello.
Maybe I’ll be able to run into her again just to say hello, Tim
on 03 Mar 2008 at 2:47 AM Colleen said …
Thank you so much for this site. I spent several hours listening to the interviews, watching the videos and reading articles. Emily was such a cool person! Hearing her interviews made me laugh!
Also gave me some new insights about music. This site means so much in keeping Emily Remler’s music alive. It dose so much to deflect away from the sad details of her passing. I hope people can visit this page and hear what a funny, talented and loving person she was. Also what great compositions and arrangements! Snowfall….Softly as in a Morning Sunrise…will give you chills!
She truely paved the way for female guitarist like me who are in awe of her music. I hope that if there are people out there with videos of Emily’s playing to please post on youtube. Thank you!
on 18 Feb 2008 at 12:23 PM Alex Bunardzic said …
Regarding Emily Remler and Larry Coryell album “Together”: I have that album on CD. Contact me if you’d like a copy.
I’ve always thought that Emily brought more warmness to that album than Larry. I’ve discovered Emily through Larry, who I think is a great guitarist. But to my ears, Emily is a much warmer player. Plus, she possesses a more charming flow and creates a much smoother pocket. But that’s just my personal opinion.
Cheers!
Alex
on 16 Jan 2008 at 7:11 PM jim paterson said …
one of the great concerts of my (nearly) 60 years was seeing emily and larry coryell at the bimhuis in amsterdam late 80’s ? following which i bought the *together album…2 copies….again easily in my top 5 pieces of music in any category ….. so i’m delighted to see this tribute site appearing … why is this wonderful album not available on cd ? … also i’ve discovered that there are wonderful video clips of emily in various settings on youtube …. again hats off to you for a great site .
on 20 Nov 2007 at 3:14 AM Reid Fisher said …
Emily Remler’s “Firefly” was one of those extremely intense sensations that lets you know you’re in a new league. I listen to the album now equally for Hank Jones’ piano. That album really showed me how tasteful and powerful backup, in addition to carefully crafted solos, can make the show. Unbefreakinlievable when a friend told me she was gone. Why does one album turn the light on for you, maybe it’s something to do with the timing of hearing it when you’re mind’s finally ready.
on 18 Oct 2007 at 1:18 AM Robert Lizarraga said …
Glad to be on this site and I’m really excited that someone took the time to put it up. Wow! Emily was loved by so many who knew her and all of us who never had the opportunity. I been enjoying her music for years, it’s simply timeless and her video (Advanced Jazz and Latin Improvisation) Volume 2 is one of my all time favs. Her personality always came to life in her videos and recordings and she will be missed forever.
on 22 Sep 2007 at 9:35 PM June Chan said …
Thank you for this wealth of information about Emily. I’m so pleased that there are so many fans who still miss her and can find solace in these pages. The videos are fabulous.
I faithfully followed Emily’s advice in her hotlicks video to play bossa nova like the brazilians do. This led me to discover other guitarists like Garoto, Baden Powell, Raphael Rabello, and Guinga. But Emily will always be my favorite brazilian guitarist.
I have a vinyl record that she appears on as a sideman that is not on your comprehensive list. The album is titled “Deuce” by Jean Fineberg and Ellen Seeling, (Redwood Records, 1986). The track with a solo by Emily is “Watersounds”. It was given to me by a friend who knew I was looking for everything she ever recorded.
Thank you.
June
on 18 Sep 2007 at 12:51 PM Diane Remler said …
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!
I was part of that family Larry Grinnell refers to in his comments. I watched my beautiful cousin live a hard, challenging, but joyous life on the road over the years. How much I wish I could go back to that night in Fort Lauderdale and undo what would be coming up shortly in her life. Not a week goes by that I don’t think about her and miss her madly. I cannot thank you all enough for continuing to appreciate her music and share in the fascinating woman that she was.
Keep her memory as real as she was!
on 09 Sep 2007 at 3:34 PM Sebastian Cabrera said …
Hi,
Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This site is awesome!
It is a pleasure to find this page.
Emily, Thanks a lot for your music and the inspiration.
God Bless you.
on 04 Aug 2007 at 4:40 PM Inger-Helen Ekvik said …
Emily Remler was the woman who got me into playing jazzguitar. I’ve played the guitar for 7 years, since I was 11. It was mostly pop, rock and a bit classical stuff that I did until I saw her Hot Licks videoes approximatly one year ago. She opened my ears for this beautiful, interesting, expressive, complex and fun music on the best instrument in the world! Her music was special, her personality was special and, being a female guitarist myself, she became my special and most beloved idol, rapidly.
I still grieve that she’s gone. I still watch her videoes and listen to her music and think I know her, that’s she’s my best friend; probably one of very few women in this world who understands me, what this instrument and what music means to me. Sometimes I feel I can’t wait to go to her concerts, talk to her and share the same passion with her. But then I realize that she’s left us here. I won’t meet her while I’m here on earth, because she’s jammin’ with God in heaven. It’s the same shock everytime and I usually, heh, cry – sob – watching her videoes. Yes, she’s affected people deeply, and I hope she knows that.
It’s fantastic that this website exists, I think, like many others. A musician as talented, hardworking, passionate and strong as Emily Remler, definitly deserves it, and it means a lot to us who love all the things she gave.
Thank you very much for keeping up the great work!
on 01 Aug 2007 at 12:19 PM Francesco Franco said …
Emily Remler was a magnificent, luminous human being who lighted the world’s stage for the briefest of moments and then was heard no more. But what a moment it was indeed!!
Although I did not know her personally, her music and the videos that have been posted on this excellent site have touched my heart and soul in a way that little has been able to for a great many years. What transpires through it all is one indescribably beautiful musician, artist and human being, deeply in love with music and her instrument, and therefore, in love with LIFE. In love with it, tragically, to the point of absolute madness, folly and eventual death. For a love THAT profound and immeasurable could never be requited.
She seems to give and give and give to the world and she wanted to give even more of the contents of her self, of her own being. She wanted to give the impossible, something beyond even that most beautiful gift that she had already given us in her fantastic music. But she ran into a wall and we are all so much diminished because of this excessive generosity and poetic desire of hers.
Along with that of Pat Metheny, John Scofield and a few others, Emily’s music evokes a time in my life, at Berklee and in Boston in later years, that will filled with tremendous joy, enthusiasm, discovery and, above all, sublime and exquisite beauty. It was a time before my own “troubles” began, of a slightly different but related nature to those of sweet Emily. It is a time that I have always treasured in my heart and that I can never seem to recapture in my middle ages and moving forward enormous gift that she gave to me, and others.
When I first heard of Emily’s death, I felt angry. I felt that it should have been me and not her. I would have given my own worthless life in exchange if it could have brought back this great and irreplaceable person. That’s how special she was (and is)!!
Thank you, Emily!! Thank you so much for the lovely gift of love, passion and beauty which I can never, ever repay.
And thank you all for this web site in her honor.
on 03 Jul 2007 at 11:58 AM Julian Ardella said …
I still shake my head in disbelief at times when It hits me that Emily has left the house … Seems like just last Friday (this was circa ‘86-’87) when a Brasilian friend and I went to an afternoon/Evening Festival at Philadelphia’s Penn’s Landing and this was the line-up:
*Ralph Towner & Gary Burton
*Alex De Grassi
*Emily Remler with Eddie Gomez
*Michael Hedges (in his orange leopard suit)
*Djavan
If music flows like oxygen in your blood — How can you forget this? : ) We had an encounter with a shooting star … As always it is fleeting but, if you saw that radiance streaking against that dark Universe — You will always remember it : )
The Hawk
http://www.JuliansFlight.com
on 19 Jun 2007 at 9:15 AM Larry Grinnell said …
I had the great pleasure to twice see Emily playing in a duo setting with Larry Coryell in Fort Lauderdale at the old Cafe Exchange in the mid-late 80s. She apparently had some family in the area, as she spent a lot of time with a group of people in the front row of this fabulous dive. I enjoyed a few moments with Coryell, sharing stories about my uncle, who taught Larry some Johnny Smith moves many years ago.
Emily and Larry played a wonderful set, each giving the other plenty of room to stretch out. I believe the first time I saw her, she was playing the Ovation, and the second time, she had the Borys. Larry has his huge Gibson Super 400 and switched off to an Ovation for several pieces.
I will always remember her incredible musicianship and continue to wonder where she would be today, musically. Sad we will never know.
on 14 Jun 2007 at 10:21 PM Mark Melcher said …
Thank you for this wonderful website and tribute to Emily.
Unfortunately, I did not discover Emily until 1992, after she had passed away. I happened upon East to Wes and couldn’t resisting asking the age old question: “Can she really play guitar/jazz?” It took a few listens before I understood what she was talking about. She has never disappointed – her melodic dialogue, creativeness, technique, well, just pure genius, I’m a fan of everything she did.
Favorite tracks: Sweet Georgie Fame (how hip can you get?), Mocha Spice, and the entire “This is Me” (esp. Carenia).
on 04 Jun 2007 at 7:26 PM Jorge Barnet said …
I had the chance to see the performance of Emily Remler and Monthy Alexander at The “Teatro Municipal” in Caracas, Venezuela around 1979 or 80. At that time they were playing with Venezuelan Jazz Artists “El Pavo” Frank on drums and Hector Hernandez “El pecho…” on acustic bass. Incredible music … on song that I liked a lot was “Latin Brother”
on 02 Jun 2007 at 9:26 PM Robert O'Neill said …
THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU for developing such a great website for the great Emily. I rediscovered her while browsing thru Youtube and embarked on a desperate search for all things Emily, and I have found it here. What a great job you have done!!! I find her music to be so brilliant and moving. I love transcribing her work. I am working on “You know what I’m sayin” and just bought the DVD of that song thanks to your site. I saw Emily live with Larry Coryell and I just about fell off my chair. I met her and Larry and looked foward to hearing her through the years. It was not to be. Once again, thank you for your wonderful website and God bless the great Emily Remler.
on 19 May 2007 at 8:51 AM skip james said …
At last! Thanks so much for this brilliant site…she was such a great guitarist, I’m glad others feel the same. Keep up the excellent work.
on 09 May 2007 at 6:17 PM Rick Sowden said …
Thanks so much for this site! I’ve been scouring the net for a while and then found more info here than anywhere else. I am a guitar player-teacher and have know and loved Emily’s work since the 80’s. I never saw her live but her music has affected me deeply. She has been one of my major influences. Being a friend of Larry Coryell’s, I have heard several Emily Stories and it’s like I’ve know her vicariously, through her muscic and legend. Larry one said that “if she would have lived, she could have been the greatest jazz guitar player ever”. Thanks so much for remembering Emily and I will always tell students about her and remember her.
on 09 May 2007 at 1:14 PM Tom McCarthy said …
I’ve always dug Emily’s sound and her tunes, and especially her covers (e.g., Tad Dameron’s “Hot House”). When I worked with Bob Moses, he told me some stories about her, some cool, some tragic and sad regarding her substance abuse — I know alot of people struggling and a few that didn’t make it. It’s wonderful to find a web-site dedicated to her gifts and prowess. To me, she’s like a verse from Rumi — poignant, profound, colorful and here all too briefly.
on 19 Apr 2007 at 3:51 AM Stuart Robinson said …
Thanks for this fantastic site and thanks to Emily Remler for the inspiration.
I wish this site had existed years ago as I’ve spent so much time rewinding and pausing her two videos in order to work out every note. I can’t wait to work through the transcriptions of Afro Blue, Insensitive etc. Keep up the good work.
on 28 Mar 2007 at 9:32 AM Nick Mallory said …
Thank you for producing this wonderful site, it’s a fitting tribute for one of the great lost talents of modern music. Emily was a wonderful player, a musician whose intelligence and wit shines through every moment of her recorded work, and she remains an inspiration to all lovers of jazz.
on 30 Jan 2007 at 5:58 PM John Harris said …
Around 1986 I was living in Istanbul Turkey. A local jazz programme played the whole of Catwalk, an album of original tunes by guitarist Emily Remler. I recorded the show and played it back over and over again. The compositions (Mocha Spice, Catwalk, Gwendolyn, Antonio, Pedals, Five Years, Mozambique) were original, had a direct line back to the jazz tradition, had a relaxed swing, sensitivity and strong sense of purpose. Back in the UK, I was surprised that people were dismissive (e.g. “a Wes copyist”)because her sound and approach seemed to modern and original. When I hear Emily playing standards, I can sometimes see what people mean. However, she deserves credit for bringing her own unique qualities to the jazz guitar. If she had been given credit for her inimitable style, perhaps she would not have suffered the identity problems that must have caused her so much pain. I’m very happy that this site has provided a focus for all things Emily.
on 28 Dec 2006 at 2:48 PM My Little Riff said …
I played most styles of guitar for years, and pretty well too, and only stopped for medical reasons. Also did a fair bit of arranging and so on. I know a great guitarist when I hear one, and Emily was one.
I had been really looking forward to hearing Emily in concert (for the first time) in Australia, in 1990. But it didn’t work out that way for reasons you all know. Very sad and premature end to a truly outstanding talent.
My favourite track? ‘Mocha Spice’.
And thanks for the site. Emily sure deserves it.
on 13 Dec 2006 at 3:12 AM Rick Berry said …
Emily was one of the greatest jazz guitarists in the world and would have gone on to become the greatest it is said. Very rare to have a female jazz player and she was beautiful at that! I have everything she has done and she has inspired me to go all out and become the jazz player I think I can be. I just hope her and Stevie Ray Vaughan are waiting for me when I get to Heaven, now that would make heaven even better! Fly on Emily and thankyou for all the love you passed our way! Rick
