Vic Juris


Victor Edward Jurusz Jr., known professionally as Vic Juris, was an American jazz guitarist.

Music career

Juris was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, but he moved with his family to Parsippany early in his life. In 1963, at the age of 10, he began learning guitar. At 11, he studied guitar at the home of his teacher, Ed Berg, and got interested in jazz listening to Berg's records of guitarists Django Reinhardt, Jim Hall, Barney Kessel, Jimmy Raney, and Johnny Smith. In his teens he played the rock music of the 1960s. When he was 19, he befriended saxophonist Eric Kloss, and he made his recording debut on Kloss's album Bodies' Warmth. Around the same time, he met guitarist Pat Martino, who became a friend and mentor.
Juris recorded with Richie Cole during 1976–78 and released his debut album as a leader, Roadsong, in 1979. In the early 1980s, he turned to acoustic guitar in duos with Larry Coryell and Biréli Lagrène, and in the late 1980s he worked with Gary Peacock's band. Since 1991 he has spent much of his career with saxophonist David Liebman.
During the 1990s, he worked as sideman with Lee Konitz and Peggy Stern, Benny Waters, Jeanie Bryson, Gary Peacock, Steve LaSpina, Judi Silvano, Ken Serio and Joe Locke.
Juris taught at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, Lehigh University, and Rutgers University and wrote instructional books for guitar.
In the summer of 2019, Juris began to experience unusual fatigue while touring. He was soon diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer. Friends launched an online fundraiser to help cover the cost of his treatment, but he died on New Year's Eve.

Discography

As leader

Roadsong Horizon Drive Bleecker Street Bohemia with John Etheridge For the Music Night Tripper Music of Alec Wilder Pastels Moonscape Remembering Eric Dolphy Songbook Songbook 2 Journey with Giuseppe Continenza
  • Seven Steps To Heaven with Giuseppe Continenza, Dominique Di Piazza and Pietro Iodice While My Guitar Gently Weeps Blue Horizon A Second Look Jazz Hits Vol. 1 with MB3 Omega Is the Alpha Listen Here Free Admission Walking On Water Blue Vic Juris Plays Victor Young Eye Contact
  • ''Let's Cool One''

As sideman

With David AmramLive at Musikfest! On the Waterfront On Broadway
With Jeanie BrysonI Love Being Here with You Tonight I Need You So
With Richie ColeNew York Afternoon Alto Madness Keeper of the Flame Pure Imagination Signature Kush West Side Story Trenton Style
With Bill GoodwinNetwork Three Is a Crowd
With Jack KerouacPull My Daisy...and Other Jazz Classics – also with David AmramJack Kerouac Reads On the Road
With Bireli LagreneLive Live at Carnegie Hall A Tribute to Django Reinhardt
With Steve LaSpinaWhen I'm Alone Story Time When Children Smile The Bounce Remember When
With Stephen RileyMy Romance
With Dave LiebmanClassic Ballads Turn It Around Miles Away Songs for My Daughter Voyage John Coltrane's Meditations New Vista Liebman Plays Puccini The Unknown Jobim Beyond the Line Conversation In a Mellow Tone Back On the Corner Blues All Ways Further Conversations Live at MCG Live/As Always Turnaround Lineage
With Barry MilesSky Train Fusion Is...
With Judi SilvanoVocalise Songs I Wrote or Wish I Did
With Mel TorméA New Album The London Sessions
With others