Sharrie Williams Teams Up With Newfound German Guitar Whiz Lars Kutschke

When Saginaw's 'Princess of the Blues', Sharrie Williams, went on her latest European Concert tour of France and Germany, little did she know that apart from encountering enthusiastic and adoring fans, her good fortune would also introduce her to an incredible and new found musical talent.

Lars Kutschke is a 26-year old German guitarist with a passion for Blues & Jazz and a fluid dexterity to his style as distinct as that of other local guitar legends such as Larry McCray, James Owens, and Matt Besey.

Indeed, to witness Kutschke work his magic over the fret board is an exhilarating experience. With a mild and almost introspective demeanor, he effortlessly works out tight shimmering clusters of notes that ripple through your abdomen and carry your spirit straight to the heavens.

As with most passionate young musicians, Lars began his understanding of the guitar as a self-taught wunderkid. "I've been playing guitar for almost 10 years now, and in the beginning I started teaching myself by playing off the record. Later, I went on to study Jazz at the Conservatory in Graffton, and then went off to the Netherlands for a year in 1997 before returning back to Germany. Professionally, I've been living off my music for four years now."

Lars first professional gig was in a Jazz band that enjoyed a once-a-week club gig, and then he went on to gig for some Top 40 bands. Two years ago he formed a jazz & rock trio in Germany.

"For me the reason I chose music as a career is because my goal is to find out as much about music as I can and take it as far as I can," notes Lars, who also speaks English remarkably well.

"Jazz has the most ways of expressing yourself and to me is the most challenging of all the musical forms."

In terms of influences, Lars cites guitarists such as Mike Stern from New York, whom he took lessons from, Hiram Bollock, also from New York, and legendary jazz trailblazers Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass.

"Mainly, I try to avoid listening to guitar players and try to listen more to horn players," explains Lars. "I enjoy listening to Miles Davis and attempt his horn solos from the Kind of Blue album. I also enjoy John Coltrane and Stan Getz. I do this because I don't want to sound like a guitar player. By studying horn parts, I find I'm not sounding like every other guitar player structuring a lick."

Sharrie Williams is currently Lars biggest supporter, bringing him back with her from her tour to Germany. "I forwarded my CD over there because my American band wasn't able to make the tour, given their own job and family commitments," she explains.

"I went to two rehearsals in Germany and the band that was assembled to back me was waiting for me because my driver was late. I walked into the building and heard my music and it tripped me out! I said to myself, 'These are the German 'Wiseguys'!"

"What impressed me about Lars is that he worked so well with his combo," continues Sharrie. "I watched him make sure that everybody was tight on the right note."

Lars decided to come to the United States with Sharrie because he was so excited by their performances together.

"Working with Sharrie was a very good experience for me," states Lars. "I was very impressed by her singing and presence on the stage, and that is what I want to learn. I want to be with people like her on stage and see what I can do to contribute to such a singer and her music. I was so happy when she asked me to come over here."

"Where I come from I had never played this type of music before," continues Lars. "Not many bands are in Europe like this. I love Black music, Jazz and Blues, and there are not many musicians in this area I live in Germany with whom you can do that."

"I want to do some writing sessions with Lars and go into the studio and cut some stuff," notes Sharrie. "I have a lot of shows coming up in Europe, so I have to be prepared. I'm not sure what my guys here in the States are going to do because everybody can't travel like that for two weeks, but I'm not gonna stop."

During her last jaunt to Europe, Sharrie also received offers to perform in Japan and Italy.

"What I love most about Lars is that he picks his moments and doesn't overplay me," states Sharrie. "He has a strong sense of dynamics, and I'm not chasing him down on the stage. He has grace and doesn't give it all in one shot, so you never know what's coming."

Is music something Lars always knew he wanted to do professionally?

"Yes, and that's too bad," he quips. "Someday when I can't make music I don't know what I'm going to do. Maybe I'll become a chef because it's a lot like music - you take ingredients and build something wonderful. Then again, maybe I will build guitars. I think either of those professions would be a good way to make a living. Hopefully, I can keep it up with the music."

"Coming from jazz, the biggest challenge is to take 20 choruses and know when to build it up and put all your energy in a certain spot," reflects Lars. "It is a challenge to learn how to do that. But just being in the band and listening to Sharrie and guitarist James Owens work together is helping me with my technique. I'm not sure that I always succeed at playing a really good solo that moves people, but if I do that two or three times a night I'm really happy."

At this point, Sharrie steps in: "I have to interrupt on that," she states. "Lars is hard on himself. I told him, believe me, you wouldn't be here if you couldn't play. I was blown away when I met him. He's so graceful and the girls are just swarming him."

"The communication between Sharrie and the audience is most impressive," concludes Lars. "It isn't the same in Europe. The audience in Europe is stiffer. When you get them in a club they just sit there stiff and indifferent. Here it is much the opposite and I'm amazed to be a part of that. It's so great for me personally to experience that type of love and reaction."

Lars Kutschke will be performing with Sharrie Williams on November 9th at Wiseguys and in Detroit on November 17th at the Menu Caf.