Doron Zor

Doron Zor is one of Canada's foremost guitarists. He is a man who already earned his dues playing for countless sessions and creating for up and coming artists.However his genre of rock fusion uncommom to the Dutch music scene,has its roots in the Blues,which we all love. His new CD flows in this direction.

It seems to be the month of the fusion releases. Doron Zor's guitar sound is situated somewhere between that of Robben Ford, Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour. His playing is melodic and bluesy, just as these gentlemen, bassist Jon Czechowski perfectly provides for a tight funky rhythm. Take one of the clips attached it might give you the impression, that Doron is a "shredder", he is certianly not. It is only a promo for the handmade "Dot On Shaft" guitars for which he endorses .

Funk, jazz, blues, sometimes what even sounds like samba rhythms are all melted together in his new CD release. Hence the name fusion .

Of the nine songs, there are only three with vocals (Marshall Dane), but Doron is a guitarist, so we will not complain about it. "Susing It Out" which opens this CD is a Brazilian-like song, samba-fusion, mix.... in which the excellent drummer Paul Delong can show his craftsmanship.

The funky shuffle "Do not Forget To Smooth It" has his name written all over it. A nice smooth sounding jazzy instrumental blues with a hefty guitar rhythm.
A New Fusion

For the first time vocals of Marshall Dane ...makes "Cat In A Cage", a song.. that contains the same ingredients, funk jazz and blues,a perfect dose, of Marshall's relaxed voice work.

Jazz-rock, are the stronger elements that are presented, in "Drunken Egg" in which there are some intense, rock moments . In the song "Detroit Bleeds" Marshall gets help from Chris Hall long time musician and rock and roller for the intense vocals.
The revival of "Cat In A Cage", which is about to conclude "Devil Woman" gives us a continuation of the same sound of Doron Zor. High energy merging with a strong guitar sound and his sublime craftmanship is something we rarely hear. Fusion Lovers, just listen. - Roots time Belgium

Doron Zor is a fusion guitarist from Toronto Canada. Last year we have already discussed his debut "A New Fusion" which we were considerably impressed. Doron's music is mainly looking at the jazzy & funky atmosphere. On his previous CD has a number of songs for vocals, this second (mini) CD with 6 songs, everything is completely
instrumental. Doron Zor is a virtuoso guitarist. On these recordings is assisted by some of Canada's top musicians, including Michael Fonfara, the keyboard-Hendrix, Foreigner and Lou Reed, drummer Aaron Spinks- Randy Brecker.

Kongo S'quare, despite its funky fusion sound his heart is in the blues. The title song is an example of in the twenties, first jazz versions emerge about the famous square slaves in New Orleans. On the opening track "My Little Lady Blue" Doron sounds at times even as Robben Ford. The jazzy "Jonesen For Your Jazz" is a bit more in the direction of Larry Carlton. Rick Morrison's sax and Michael Fonfara the Hammond increase the jazzy atmosphere of this issue some more.

The slow valve "Rain" is our favorite track, best described as an instrumental with high Steely Dan content. Prima plate with six bluesy fusion instrumentals of the upper shelf, we had this out as long as possible. - Roots time belgium

Doron Zor is an accomplished composer, guitarist and Mack Endorsing Artist. He headlines The Doron Zor Band with whom he creates cooking jazz/blues tunes that smoke!

Mack Amps: How did you get involved with music?
Doron Zor: I first picked up a guitar at the age of 14, really just to piss off my brother. He always told me "never touch my guitar". Being a so-called rebel growing up it was in my nature to do things I was told not to do.

MA: What was your first guitar?
DZ: Oh my. My first guitar was a Condor Firebird.

MA: Which guitar players have influenced your style?
DZ: Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson. I like to mix up my influences. When I play electric I think very differently than when I play acoustic guitar.

MM: Who is your favorite guitar player? Why?
DZ: At this point I would have to say Robben Ford/Larry Carlton. I always enjoy listening when a player takes a style to the next step. Robben & Larry do that at any given time when they solo.

MA: If you could invite three guitar players for dinner from the past or present, living or dead. Who DZ: I would love to have JimI Hendrix, Allan Holdsworth and Larry Carlton. Picking their brains for a few hours could be the best lesson I would ever get. These three players are also the reason I care so much about tone and personal sound/style.

MA: How do you prepare yourself for a gig?
DZ: I’ve never thought much about getting ready before a gig. I notice that when I do too much thinking I lose my mind by the time I hit the stage.

MA: Do venue acoustics have an effect of your sound and your performance? Are there 'bad' rooms? If so, how do you deal with them?
DZ: That's a great question. I try to keep my ears tuned to what’s happening on stage and not worry about the room as much. Sound guys usually have their own interest in how the room sounds and will do things their way, meaning a blues band with a rock sound man will sound different then a blues sound man that knows where the band sits in the mix. I try dealing with my tone in a very simple fashion. I set my amp tone around the band and allow the room to compliment it. At the end of the day every room sounds different. Though I have noticed, working with Mack Skyraider 15C, things just sound better these days.

MA: You are a music educator and in 2007 released an instructional DVD titled "Doron Zor Ultimate Licks". What do you do to inspire your student to continue their studies and play better?
DZ: When I was teaching I tried working around each and every student. I built a program for them that suited their level. Most of my students were guys that were getting ready for university. These days I teach my teachers how to run my program at the Dot On Shaft Music Academy mostly working on teaching theory and technique.

MA: You have the chops and technique of a shredder, yet in a recent article www.rootstime.be, a Dutch blues and roots music internet publication, describes your solo album A New Fusion as a "Funk, jazz, blues, sometimes what even sounds like samba rhythms are all melted together". How do you describe your style?
DZ: Well, “A New Fusion” was a record where most of the ideas were improved on the spot. About my chops and technique, the best way for me to describe that would be, a teenager showing off. I haven't pulled any shred solos in a long time. I found better ways to express myself with less notes. My latest project which is a blues-like record has all the sounds and technique that I’ve been into the past little while.

MA: What is your approach to song writing? Where do the basic ideas come from for each song? What process do you follow to flesh out all of the parts?
DZ: I like giving the idea a chance to create itself, and all I have to do is accept it so to speak. I have a really cool living room which has an amazing vibe. I try playing there as much as I can. I will throw out an idea for a chord progression or a groove and let myself go into another place. If it’s meant to be then I will go to my studio room and record the idea. Then I will follow that up with a melody, and judging by the track I’ll know if the living room did a good job or not. Just kidding! For me it’s really all about the moment. I really just let it out and give myself a chance to explore a different side of me when it comes to writing. I don't force myself into writing a song. When I do it just sounds unnatural.

MA: You are renowned tone freak and work hard to produce a unique sound. Roots Time said "Doron Zor's guitar sound is situated somewhere between that of Robben Ford, Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour". What gear do you use and how do you get 'your' sound?
DZ: First of all thanks for the kind words. Don, you know me and my tone better than anyone else. My sound really is just the Skyraider 15C; I'm not just saying this. When people look at my rig they don't get it. I have over 30 pedals but they are all OFF. They are for studio sessions. For my so-called tone, I run the amp at about 50% volume, tone at 10% and the gain/bass boost switch at melt. I use an Electro Harmonix reverb (Holy Grail ) and an Electro Harmonix delay (Number 1 Delay). When I need to play at a lower volume I push the front of the amp with Xotic pedal (RC Booster).

Two of the biggest factors in my tone is my Mack amp and my new signature Dot on shaft CarparellI semI hollow guitar. I’ve tried every single amp and combo on the market, and couldn't get what I was looking for until I played the Skyraider.

When Roots Time magazine mentioned my tone being somewhere between Larry and Robben, thats a huge compliment. I would never want to sound like anyone but it sure is nice to be in the same sound league as your favorite players. I think it comes to show how amazing Mack amps really are!

MA: You are currently laying down tracks for your next album. What can we expect from this new work?
DZ: One thing for sure, it’s a world of difference from “A New Fusion”. It’s very blues/jazz influenced. I'm working with Jon Pickering a great producer and sound engineer. On this album I wasn't going to hold back or allow myself to break down when it came to the vibe of the album.

MA: What recording process works best for you- playing live with the band or separately recording multI parts?
DZ: Due to the players in this band I would have to say recording live off the floor works best for me. I do all my sessions on mufti track, but I really do enjoy the energy that we produce when we record live.
A little about the band: on keys I have the pleasure of playing with the legendary Michael Fonfara who has shared a stage with the great JimI Hendrix, Lou Reed, Stevie Wonder and many, many more. On drums Aaron Spink has to be my most favorite drummer that I’ve ever played with. And Jon Czechowski, who has played with Red Rider, Rain and Chris Hall, plays bass.

MA: Do you tweak your tone for every song or every part in every song or do you set up and go?
DZ: Set up and go is the way I do things these days. Mind you, that wasn't always the case. I used to tweak my tone with different pedals for different songs. Since I started using the Skyraider, I love the tone that comes out of the amp so much that its natural sound is more than enough.


MA: What does the future hold for Doron Zor?
DZ: I can only wish that people will enjoy and understand what it is that I am doing. I would like to add my two cents to the blues/fusion jazz world by being different and sounding fresh. Hopefully I’ll be able to achieve all that, sooner rather than later! - Mack Amps

More Zor in store at Orbit Room tonight, Mon. July 13!

The new Monday night concept at Orbit Room, upstairs at 580 College St. west of Bathurst, with two bands playing each week (from 9:00 p.m. sharp till 1:00 on Mondays only), seems to be working out fine as we’re now into the second month of that arrangement.

The Doron Zor Band, playing there tonight, does a Fusion of Jazz, Rock, Funk and Blues. Guitarist Doron Zor is the front man and this young fellow has an amazing gift for innovative six-string work that’s been acclaimed by fellow musicians and critics since he leapt onto the scene in 2005. His talent has enabled him to do shows on the same bill as George Lynch, Tracii Guns and Skid Row among others. He’s been seen in Jazz rooms such as Dominion On Queen, Gate 403, and Trane Studio and will also be featured in August at Blues room The Rainbow in Ottawa.

When I checked the band out on June 15 there was a fill-in player on sax (some “fill in” –this guy was amazing!) but I expect that Doron will have his regular lineup behind him tonight. That includes Michael Fonfara (of Downchild Blues Band for many years now and also a core member of Jon Lee and The Checkmates, Rhinoceros and other iconic bands from the old days) on keyboard and the club’s in-house Hammond B3; Aaron Spink is on drums; Rick Morrison (of The Tuesday Club/Deep Roots band that’s at Orbit Room weekly) on sax; and Andrew Stewart serves up bass. - Facebook