Rudy Linka

Rudy Linka, a guitarist known for his adventurous approach as well as his comfort with classic standards, gained notable attention during the mid-1990s through several excellent recordings, such as Czech It Out and Double Czech, both released on the Enja label. His initial focus was on classical guitar studies before being influenced by Miles Davis' album Jack Johnson, followed by the trumpeter's prior works. Defection to the West occurred for him in 1981, after which he formed a friendship with Red Mitchell and enrolled for a year at the Berklee School Of Music in Boston. His relocation to New York took place in 1985, leading to instruction under John Abercrombie—including a contribution to the 1992 release Mostly Standards—and the launch of his independent career. In his modern mainstream playing, elements of Jim Hall and John Abercrombie emerge, yet the result remains distinctly personal.