It saddens me to inform you that Wayne Wright passed away on Friday, May 9, 2008. This remarkable musician graced countless performances and recordings by some of the greatest artists in American music -- to name a few: Benny Goodman, George Barnes, Ruby Braff, Les Paul, Peggy Lee, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, Buddy Rich, Quincy Jones, and many others. Although he was a fine stylist of chordal and single-note soloing, Wayne was best known as a peerless rhythm guitarist, always armed with his 1950 left-handed cutaway D'Angelico Excel. Possibly his most memorable recordings are the four albums he made in a two-year span (1974-75) as a member of the Ruby Braff & George Barnes Quartet -- one of the most refined musical foursomes of all time. Wayne was a direct link to the heyday of jazz, in many ways a traditionalist. He now sits in fine company with so many of his peers and heroes. Dear Wayne, Thank you for your music and your friendship, John Engel.

News Flash: for a limited time -- THE MONTH OF MAY 2008 -- the books Uncommon Sound will be sold at 33% OFF the regular price -- and shipping is still free within the 48 contiguous states. To order online, click here.

John Engel's Uncommon Sound book was cited in a question on the JEOPARDY! TV game show this Thursday Feb.7, 2008. It went: "The book Uncommon Sound focuses on left-handed players of this instrument, like Elliot Easton". It was a Double Jeopardy $1,600 question in The Lefty Way category, but nobody got it right! In existence since 1964, JEOPARDY! was ranked #2 in the greatest game shows of all time by TV Guide and has won the largest amount of Emmy Awards of any game show ever. A fine and worthy reference. Thank you, Mr. Trebek!

After decades of searching for it, London-based Armand Serra finally located the famed Gibson SG Custom which fans know as the Ollie Halsall SG. A converted '67 model, bearing the enigmatic words BLUE TRAFF crudely etched on its top, Halsall's guitar had long disappeared. It has now been fully restored. Check out Armand's amazing story and photos here.