Doug Proper has been playing and teaching the guitar in the tri-state area for
almost two decades now.
His strong harmonic sense and resourceful melodic phrasing make him one of the
most sought-after guitarists around.
Throughout the course of his career, Doug has shared the bandstand with such prominent
musicians as: DMP and Wavetone Recording artist Joe Beck,
ECM recording artist John Abercrombie,
recording artist and trumpet legend Lew Soloff,
CMG and Big World Music recording artist Charles
Blenzig, Recording Artist Jack Wilkins,
Concord
recording artist Ray Vega,
The Legendary
Saxophonist Benny
Waters, GRP Recording Artist Dave
Valentine, Criss Cross Recording Artist Ralph
Lalama, the inimitable Billy Mitchell, Jazz
Bass Legend Bill Crow, DMP/Sharp Nine Recording
artist Giacomo
Gates and
Saxophonist Jimmy Hill to name a few.
Doug performs regularly as a solo artist as well as part
of several ensembles ranging from duos to quintets with some of the most
notable jazz musicians in the industry. Recently embarking on some very
adventurous musical projects, one involving guitar visionary Joe
Beck on Alto Guitar and drummer Gerry
Fitzgerald in a trio format. Another has been a series of
performances with guitar legend John Abercrombie
exploring the interplay and intimacy of the guitar duo format as well as the
journey into the quartet, emphasizing their contrasting styles. Most often,
Doug finds himself right at home in the traditional bebop guitar/bass/drum
trio featuring the areas most prominent bassists and drummers with an
occasional added
attraction in the addition of jazz vocalist Giacomo
Gates.
Joe Beck on Alto Guitar and Doug Proper on 7
String Playing at 17 Main Jazz Club.
Playing in a duo with two guitars is fun - but playing with Joe on the Alto
Guitar is an amazing experience.
Playing with John Abercrombie is one of the most musically rewarding
experiences there are.
In addition to studying music at Manhattanville College, Doug attributes his distinctive command of the instrument to his studies
and association with such renowned artists as Chuck
Wayne, Billy Bauer, John
Abercrombie, Charles LaVerne, Will
Leavitt, and his long time mentor, Joe Beck.
During the last few years, Doug has ventured into the
realm of the 7-String guitar, after being prompted to by guitar virtuoso Jimmy
Bruno. Finding the seven-string guitar more effective for his
pianistic approach to the guitar, Doug plays 7-string almost exclusively.
Doug also utilizes the Alto Guitar, developed by Joe
Beck. Doug uses the Alto Guitar Joe Beck
gave him as a gift to create a vast array of tonal colors that adds an
incredible amount of depth to his music.
Sharon and I with George Benson at the Classic American Guitar Show.
George came up and complemented my playing while I was playing
one of Dale Unger's guitars at his booth.
He has performed and/or music directed in such musical theater productions as Godspell, The Wiz, Mame, Fiddler On The Roof, Anything Goes,
The Will Rodgers Follies, Guys and Dolls and The Music Man. Doug continues to lead his own quartet and maintain a busy schedule as a sideman on stage and in the studio.
Doug has taught music for The Lindenhurst School District, Bedford Central School District,
B.O.C.E.S at Yorktown, Pleasantville High School, Woodside Elementary School and The Mount Kisco and Yorktown Schools of
Music. In 1987 Doug established himself in private practice under the auspices of The Guitar Specialist.
In January of the year 2000, Doug closed his teaching
practice to divide his efforts between the two things he loves to do the most
- Play Jazz and repair and restore guitars. At night you can find
him in at many of the jazz clubs in the Tri-State area and during the day you
can find him in his repair shop at The
Guitar Specialist.
