When Larry Koonse contacted iRoM on the weekend, advising us of the passing of guitarist Jimmy Wyble, we asked if he would consider writing an appreciation for the life and the work of this legendary artist. Koonse is a superb and versatile jazz guitarist in his own right, and we are extremely grateful that he agreed to share his memories of a man who was his mentor, teacher and friend.
By Larry Koonse
We lost a giant of jazz guitar with the passing of Jimmy Wyble last Saturday. Jimmy was an important fixture on the global jazz scene from 
the late 40′s through the 60′s. Starting with his landmark work with Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys in the early 40′s he went on to do equally groundbreaking work with both the Benny Goodman sextet and the Red Norvo Trio in the 50′s. He went on to write what some consider his greatest work in the 70′s with a book of etudes that characterize his swinging, contrapuntal style. There are classical guitarists all around the world that include his works in their repertoire.
After the recent passing of his wife a few years ago Jimmy began to play live for the first time in almost 20 years at the age of 85. Guitar aficionados who witnessed his playing firsthand were always left completely dumbfounded. His mastery of counterpoint in an improvisatory context was unmatched on the instrument and always balanced with the most surprising yet beautiful musical choices.
Photo by Bob Barry
Jimmy has always occupied a special place in my heart both for his music and his humanity. In my opinion he is one of the great American masters and has a completely original voice in improvisation and composition. My parents had the good sense to send me to Jimmy for guitar lessons when I was fifteen and for three years I had my musical world transformed by Jimmy’s unique vision of harmony and melody. I was witness on a weekly basis to Jimmy’s spontaneous contrapuntal improvisations which spilled out of his hands with no effort. There is no excess in Jimmy’s music ….. melodies trail off into silence …. harmonies are expressed with two well chosen notes ….. silence is just as important as sound ….. and it all comes off sounding like what Bartok might have written if he was born of Cajun parents and schooled with Texas swing.
All that being said, it is his sweet presence that will be missed the most. Jimmy was the most humble, grounded, and kind human being I have ever known.
This video, recorded in 2007 when Wyble was 85, is plagued by audience noise. But it nonetheless provides a brief portrait of his remarkable skills.
What a great figure in music. Jimmy was not only a knowledgeable and creative master of his art, but a generous and selfless person who influenced me greatly.
beautiful tribute, thanks for sharing this larry
Thanks Larry for your wonderful tribute to our beautiful
Jimmy. We will miss him, but his music will continue to
inspire us all.
Thank you, Larry, for putting into words what we who loved him feel. He was a true gentleman and one of the kindest people we ever met. His musical legacy is without equal and truly unique in the guitar literature. We are thankful to have had the privilege of knowing him.
Thank you, Larry. Beautifully written and spot on.
Thank you Larry.
Notably,he’s probably one of the only people I’ve ever met who would applaud for friends as they walked into the door at his own gig. Jimmy was one of a kind and a true gem in this world. Jimmy is missed but forever in our hearts and ears.
The last day that I saw Jimmy was a crack in my heart. I understand the way life goes but its very hard for me. I know that everyone has to die but when it is someone you love it’s like a piece of your heart melting away.
Thankyou Elain and Dave Koonse for being there when Jimmy needed it the most.
I too learned much from him, though I only corresponded with him through David Oakes. He sent me notes of encouragement and some arrangements that went beyond normal generosity.
A sincerely warm and heartfelt tribute, Larry, eloquently stated.
Larry said it all. Accent on generous and original, Jimmy was all that and much more. Gracious and humorous, I always enjoyed his company and his insights into music and the guitar. Rarely do the dual sides of the artist and the man soar so high. Equally beautiful. I will think of him always.
Larry:
What a beautiful tribute to our beloved Jimmy! My life could not be the same without having met him and heard and felt his musical mastery and his humanitarian mastery. I really miss him in my life, but I will carry on his spirit and lessons everyday, and make sure that every guitarist knows about him.
Love.
Sheryl
Thanks Larry for sharing. It was a great tribute.
Dom
Larry,
Thanks for sharing this great tribute, and for sharing your versions of his music on “What’s in the Box”.
Thanks for the nice tribute Larry.
Wonderful Larry, very touching and beautiful, Jack
A beautiful tribute, Larry. We will miss Jimmy. He was a great man, and will live on through his wonderful music and inspiration.
Hi Larry,
Thanks for an eloquent and beautiful tribute to Jimmy. The many of us that he touched will try to carry on his legacy and spread his reputation and mastery on to those who didn’t have the priviledge to know him personally.
Best,
Joihn Stowell
The piece by Larry Koonse is a beautiful tribute to Jim
Wyble, as is Larry’s CD entitled “What’s in the Box?”.
I have written an appreciation from a personal
perspective, to relate the special friendship he had
with my brother Jerry Case. Please see the blog I’ve
posted at myspace.com/johnnycase.com
Dig it…yeah..and thanx to all…rip Jimmy.
One of my very first gigs in 1960 when I arrived in L.A. as a 25-year-old aspiring bass player was with the Red Norvo Quintet. The guitar player on the gig was Jimmy Wyble. He was so beautiful, encouraging and masterful on guitar and one of the most beautiful human beings I’ve ever met in my life. I felt that if all the musicians in L.A. were like him, I made the right choice in moving here. The last time I saw him was the “Great Day in LA” when all the musicans picture were taken at UCLA. It had been a long time since I had seen him so we embraced. He looked so hip, I told him that he looked like he had just stepped out GQ. His playing was like the image he portrayed — the ultimate in taste. It takes one beautiful person to know another one and, Larry, you captured him perfectly in your tribute. He will be missed.
A beautiful sole and the most generous human being I’ve ever met. Always encouraged and will continue to encourage musicians for years to come. I was fortunate to have known him and lucky enough to talk to him a week before his passing.
What a touching and appropriate tribute to a true master. I’m not a professional musician but my late father was a jazz guitarist who , like Jimmy Wyble, also played with Benny Goodman when he toured England in 1947. My Dad told me about thie wonderful guitarist who was very little known in England–and whose recordings were not generally available on this side of the Atlantic. When those clips of Mr Wyble appeared on YouTube a while back I was overwhemed by the originality, elegance , beauty and technical mastery of his playing. I was very happy that I was able then to show these clips to my father, who by then was in poor health. He watched them in rapt silence and said “I told you so–he was one of the greatests of the greats”
I, too, had the great honor of studying with Jimmy way back when – no one opened my hands and ears more to the beauty possible from a guitar. I say “had” the honor, but that’s not really correct. His etudes as well as his example as a great and humble human being, a true gentleman, continue to inspire. The last time I spoke to him, I told him that I STILL practiced his lessons to this day. His response, “Oh God, I’m so sorry for the torture!” I’m not – thank you, Mr. Wyble.
This piece of information was very helpful for me.Thanks for taking the pain to write about this so marvellously thus providing an insight into this in a detailed manner. Keep up the good work.
Our hearts ache yet our spirits are joyful that we have had the honor to have had Jimmy share a part of his life and music with us. Jimmy was an extraordinary soul whose stories, talent and love comprise the memories that will always be held closely in each of our hearts. Now his spirit belongs to the universe, yet tears must fall….
I was so sad to read of Jimmy’s parting.At least he and his wife are again reunited. I echo Larry’s beautiful tribute. It was by the great gift of God that I stumbled upon Jimmy in tha 70′s and spent many years studying with him until my departure to attend GIT at their inception. Jimmy was the kindest gentleman I have ever met and I am so much the better for having known him. God Bless You Jimmy. Does anyone know where he’s buried so I can pay my final respects?
Jimmy wyble was my personal teacher mentor and friend for two years! i had the pleasure to meet him at the musicians institute in hollywood. Luckily jimmy and i gelled so he decided to teach me personally from his home in pasadena. Jimmy was tired much so the lessons became fewer and further in between. i last saw a frail fragile jimmy in december of 2009 before i had moved to cincinatti oh to persue other musical roads. a friend, laiza, later in january contacted me about the passing of jimmy. My heart still hurts and my fingers still yearn for his guidance but i believe i learned all that i needed from him. To add to his legacy Jimmy wyble helped me to get sober from drugs and alcohol. He would tell me, “jonsu get high on what is!” “Let music be your mistress!” I love You Jimmy