For nearly two decades, Les Paul has performed a pair of shows every Monday night in New York City. The Iridium Jazz Club has played host to these gigs for the past seven years, offering fans the opportunity for an up close view of the man who built the first solid body guitar, and who is also credited with inventing echo delay, multi tracking, and many other revolutionary recording techniques.

On March 15, nearly 17 years after first learning that this legend was not only alive, but still performing each and every week, I finally found myself seated in this tiny club, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Paul, a man who claims his biggest gift has always been being blessed with an ear for the perfect pitch. Backed by a band that he still calls his “Trio,” despite the fact that he has added a fourth member (the very talented John Colianni on keyboards), Paul joyfully took the stage for an hour and a half set of jazz standards, while always taking the time to playfully joke with the crowd, and his band mates, between each song. (more…)