Article: Frisell's blend yields an American sound

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing? Tell that to Bill Frisell, who in redefining the jazz guitar for the '90s couldn't be more detached from the swing mentality.

On albums of his own and by artists including Paul Motian, John Zorn, Kenny Wheeler and Ginger Baker, the prolific Seattle-ite has pushed the boundaries of jazz by trading in linear licks for textured effects and emulating wind instruments via technological enhancements - and willpower.

"I spent so many years playing the clarinet," he said, "that when I play guitar, there's an almost physical thing I do with my body trying to breathe into the notes and focus the tone that way." Just when you think you've got ...

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