Joe Monk was my dear friend and guitar teacher of many years.  He pass away in December 2006.  His students and friends will never forget him. 

I am planning to start a blog so that his many former students and admirers can share stories.  Stay tuned.

I took the photo at right in Joe's second floor teaching studio in Great Neck.  It must have been around 1978 or so.  I didn't have any flash and as many of you may remember, Joe always kept the lighting really low.  It was back in the day when cameras didn't focus for you.

The photo below shows Joe with a Lacy that one of his former students sent to him.  The guy started corresponding with Joe and Joe sent him some arrangements.  He called Joe up and told him that he should expect a package and this is what arrived.  Joe still always favored his beat up Gibson 175 with the pickguard that was suspended on a stack of matchbooks.