Billy Novick

Guy & Billy Reviews

Critics Rave About Guy & Billy Performances...

Boston Globe

"Guy...has practically invented a finger-picked guitar style, closer to jazz piano than guitar. Billy Novick, on clarinet, had he lived in the 30's would be a legend...."

Montreal Gazette

"...smooth-struttin' jazz and smokey blues...a rare fusion of emotion and intellect..

Washington Post

"Riveting echoes of an earlier jazz era..."

Calgary Herald

"...a sound so full that it's hard to believe only two people hold the stage."

Birmingham News

"They'll stun you with the mastery of their playing."

Manchester (England) Evening News

"...a moving performance that combined exquisite beauty with a blues feeling.."
 

BOSTON GLOBE
"So often instrumental viruosity goes unrecognized while mediocre bands, as long as they have singers, make the big money. Guy Van Duser and Billy Novick are never going to retire in Palm Springs, but the pleasure they give in concert is indescribable..." read more
 
 
MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS (England)
"Billed as an American "blues guitarist," Guy Van Duser proceeded to show he was something completely different when he appeared at the Band on the Wall, Manchester, last night. Partnered by clarinettist Billy Novick, he played quicksilver versions of jazz tunes, mainly from the '20's and '30's. The duo were totally delightful..." read more
 
 
CALGARY HERALD (Canada)
"Guy Van Duser and Billy Novick's performance at the Nicklodeon Folk Club on Saturday night challenges conventional description.It was, quite simply, one of those situations where you had to be there. I caught only one of the pair's two sets, but that one set left an impression strong enough to guarantee that their names won't be forgotten.
Van Duser and Novick produce full, complex renditions of old jazz and swing numbers from the '30's and '40's- so full that it's hard to believe that only two people hold the stage..."
 
 
CITY PAGES (Minneapolis/St. Paul)
"Stride Guitarist Guy Van Duser combines understatement, grace, and genuine swing on his Rounder Record solo LP's. Toss in multireedman Novick..and you've got a firecracker duo, one that eschews flash but fairly revels in hokum. Your feet will tap ceaselessly, while your cheekbones adopt a semi-permanent smile."
 
 
ITHACA JOURNAL
"Enough cannot be said in praise of the musial mastery displayed by Billy Novick and Guy Van Duser during their concert on Saturday night at Cornell University's Anabel Taylor Auditorium.
The Boston-based duo gave an intimate, exhilirating performance, playing and singing jazz standards from the swing era of the 1930's leaving the audience clearly amazed at the magic taking place on stage..."

 

...and they like the CD's, too!

ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE
"GUY AND BILLY"
"The 13 selections presented here are as much a treasury of American music as they are a showcase for Novick and Van Duser's superb instrumental interplay. From vintage jazz standards..to New Orleans Dixieland classics, the guitar and clarinet duo swings through clever arrangements with passionate energy and effortless grace...These guys just keep getting better."

 JAZZ TIMES
"EVERY LITTLE MOMENT"
"... magnificent chamber jazz...sweet melodies, conversational volume, mellow mood. Novick's extraordinarily PURE clarinet is heard with Guy Van Duser...Van Duser's graceful (and swinging) finger-picked style is closer to jazz piano than to guitar, and he sings with great charm on the rarely-heard...tune, "When My Ship Comes In."... If you dig sophisticated serenity, you'll love this classic jazz."

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Guy & Billy: 30th Anniversary at Club Passim


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOUNDSTAGE!
"ON LOVELY SUNDAY AFTERNOON"
"...This CD captures and conveys a mood through the plaintive chemistry of the pairing of Van Duser on guitar and Novick on clarinet. The tunes are a mix of traditional and original arranged by the musicians, but the reserve of the playing makes each one boil very, very slowly. "New Orleans Farewell" had me hanging on each small gesture- and there are many of them- drawing me in, seducing me. This is infectious music, not in any showy way, but rather through its slow-rolling nature. The sound is naturally detailed, the clarinet and plucked guitar strings displaying lots of clarity but not even a hint of aggression. Anything less would kill the effect of the music. If you need more simplicity and quietude in your musical life, this disc is your ticket."

For bookings and information, please contact:
 
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16 Fletcher Ave.
Lexington, MA 02420 USA
781.862.5262
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