The older of the pair, at 79, Bucky is a jazz giant who has spent time performing with everyone from Benny Goodman to Doc Severinson's Tonight Show Band, as well as being a storied session player. His son, John, at 45 is a fine guitarist, but he's also a capable vocalist. Together they're the ultimate blend of old and new, with not only musical empathy, but hereditary similarities to boot.

Though the Linda Norris Auditorium has high ceilings and elegant long curtains for a backdrop, it still felt warm and comfortable as the duo sat down with their 7-string hollow-body electric guitars and got to work.

The additional string on their custom guitars allowed them each to take turns holding down the low end while the other soloed, and solo they did. John had the modern jazz style down, with dexterity and finesse, while Bucky's more understated old-school style found power in just his authoritative command of the instrument, and the conviction of each note played.

"Don't Get Around Much Anymore" was pure pleasure, while "Paper Moon" and "In a Mellow Tone" are timeless. "Straighten Up and Fly Right" was just a swinging party and "Honeysuckle Rose" featured an amazingly clever arrangement; it was apparent that they've played some of the tunes for decades, and the roller coaster dynamics and trading of parts was breathtaking.

John would often look over to his dad with a "Hey, watch this!" expression, and toss out a flurry of notes. Bucky would then just grin and play the same thing backward and upside down like it was child's play. That said, Bucky's solos were so melodic, it was as if each one was a mini-song, not just a stockpile of hot, flashy licks and scales.

John told stories about his father as he read off a laundry list of classic recordings he's played on ("Runaway," "Stand By Me," "Georgia," "Ruby Baby").

A medley of Benny Goodman compositions was a fitting close to an afternoon in guitar heaven.

David Malachowski is a local freelance writer from Woodstock and a regular contributor to the Times Union.

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