Lou Mecca

Perhaps apart from moving men or gymnasts, no segment of the population complains as much about back problems as musicians. Jazz guitarist Lou Mecca is already somewhat ahead of many of his peers as a player, but as a liscensed chiropractor, he is way ahead in terms of being able to deal with back complaints. In addition, he can always pick up some extra doolah by treating sidemen, such as drummers or bassists, who may have strained themselves hauling equipment around. Despite his talents in the spine-tuning chiropractic arena, it is really as a guitarist that this man has received the most recognition, including being selected outstanding jazz guitarist of the year by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and receiving the "new star" category in jazz guitar from Down Beat magazine. It all began with trumpet studies at the age of eight under the watchful eye and earplug-laden ears of his father. The boy changed to guitar a year later. In his senior year, he quit high school to become a professional musician. He took a position at a music school in New Jersey and played the bars and clubs at night, setting a standard of double-duty that would become a lifestyle. In 1947, he befriended jazz guitarist and educator Johnny Smith who, along with Tal Farlow and Joe Pass, are Mecca's greatest influences on his instrument. In 1955, he recorded for Blue Note as a leader of his own quartet, featuring Jack Hitchcock on vibes, Vinnie Burke on bass, and Jimmy Campbell on drums. Mecca has also performed and recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Evans, Teddy Charles, Gil Melles, Eddie Costa, Al Cohn, and Chris Conners. He has also worked as an accompanist for Julius La Rosa and on Broadway shows such as The Unsinkable Molly Brown. He also works regularly with orchestras, including the Ron Metcalf Orchestra at the World's Fair in New York City, the Vincent Lopez & His Orchestra, and many others. His work as a chiropractor ran concurrently with his busy music schedule, basically out of a desire to balance his bank account. He attended the Chiropractic Institute of New York for six years at night while teaching guitar students in the day. When his classes were over, he would hit the stage at a nightclub, unless a better-paying private function had given him a call. After his graduation in 1967, Mecca worked for the next 25 years as a so-called back-breaker in New Jersey, the developing of this medical practice definitely cutting into the time alloted for playing guitar. Eventually, he retired from his practice and relocated to the New Jersey shore. During a sabbatical in Florida, he started to perform again at concerts and festivals with a new intensity and headed back to his New Jersey stomping grounds. Various venues in this state, as well as New York, began hoasting Mecca's combo projects, including duos, trios, quartets, and a quintet. His fellow players include guitarists Andy MacKenzie and Adrian Ingram, bassist Mickey Golizio, and drummer Nat Garratano. As an instructor, Mecca developed the first guitar department at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, NJ, where he held a position as adjunct professor of guitar for seven years. He continues to teach at clinics and workshops and worked on a book of guitar technique. ~ Eugene Chadbourne