A meeting of minds, guitars.

Byline: Serena Markstrom The Register-Guard

Mike Denny admits that Oregon Jazz Guitar Summit is a "highfalutin' ' thing to call an event. But in the jazz world, that's what they call it when a handful of professional players come together for a rare guitars-only show.

Denny is spearheading the first-ever Eugene summit, inspired by one he played in Portland last March with John Stowell and Dan Balmer, accompanied by bass player Dave Captein, at Portland's Old Church.

Thursday's Eugene summit will add local mainstay Don Latarski to the mix. It's part of the Shedd Casuals series, which focuses on the best local and regional talent.

Although all five performers live in Oregon, they are nationally and internationally recognized as some of the best in their field. They have taught and toured all over the country and abroad.

"It's a unique opportunity for people to hear four professional guitarists who have different styles," Denny says. "We're all old friends. We've known each other some 25, 30 years.

`We've played together a lot, and we've influenced each other."

They plan on doing selections from the Great American Songbook and some original compositions from each artist.

"I'm trying to have my music be as accessible to the smartest jazz lover (as) to the newest jazz-comer," Denny says. "There's a certain spontaneity that jazz musicians enjoy that I think audiences enjoy, too."

Latarski and Denny both teach at the University of Ore- gon School of Music and routinely perform in Eugene. Denny's quartet performs the first Saturday of each month at the Ax Billy Grill.

Denny has been a professional jazz guitarist since 1978, the year after he graduated from South Eugene High School. Before returning to Eugene, he spent his professional life in Denver, Portland, New York and Washington, D.C., and performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz.

Since 1981, Denny has recorded five albums. "Good Morning Heartache" is the latest.

Latarski came to Oregon in 1973, and has since made a name for himself as a performer, composer, author, instructor and producer. He owns the independent label Crescent Re- cords, under which he's produced his own recordings and those of his colleagues and contemporaries, including Denny.

So far, songs from his recording of Beatles music, "Fab 4 on 6," have been downloaded more than 55,000 times, he says.

Portland-based Balmer and Stowell have impressive resumes, too.

Balmer is best known for his work with keyboardist Tom Grant. With Grant, Balmer composed and performed pop and jazz music between 1983 and 1993 that received worldwide acclaim and recognition.

Since 1993, he has performed up to 250 gigs a year and put out six recordings. The Los Angeles Times says he is a "model of what a contemporary guitarist should be."

Stowell, who has recorded six albums, was one of four musicians to perform in Russia after a 40-year period when no American jazz musician was invited to the Soviet Union to play a public performance.

When guitarists get together there is a healthy "spirit of playfulness," says Denny, who started planning for this show in August.

"A situation like this brings out the best in all of us. ... We're all going to be playing at the top of our game."

He believes their show will attract guitar and jazz enthusiasts and people with a "desire to hear good music."

Playing familiar songs, then adding their own twist, will make the show approachable for any listener, he says.

Denny says he hopes to make it an annual event.

"It's just so cool, rare to have four together," he says. So rare, he says with a laugh, "I think it's illegal in some states. Or at least it should be."

CONCERT PREVIEW

Oregon Jazz Guitar Summit

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: The Shedd, 285 E. Broadway

Tickets: $20 and $15 reserved, discounts on youth and group tickets, 434-7000 or in person at 868 High St.

Information: 434-7000, [phone] or visit www.theshedd.org.