EVERYTHING GUITAR BY "DON WITTER JR."

Donnie in Concert This Saturday at Aguilar Public Library 2pm

2012-02-09T14:21:00.000-08:00

I will be giving a Latin American Guitar Recital this Saturday at 2pm at the Aguilar Public Library in Manhattan. 174 East 110Th Street (Between Lexington and 3rd avenue) Phone=212-534-2930.Admission is free and it will last at least an hour.Works by Riera,Cardoso,Yupanqui,Morel and others. Since this is Black History month, I will end with some Jazz Standards. Hope to see you there.In my next post, I will list my upcoming Public Library Concerts over the next few months.Stay Tuned to the Donnie Channel.

Another fantastic Artist-ANNA LIKHACHEVA

2012-02-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

JUMP on YOU TUBE and witness another unbelievable talent. You can see videos of her when she is a little kid playing.You have gotta check out ANNA LIKHACHEVA!!!!

W H E W !

MARCH 15TH AT WEILL RECITAL-TWO MORE SUPER YOUNG ARTISTS

2012-02-05T22:22:00.000-08:00

D'ADDARIO WILL PRESENT ANOTHER CONCERT OF TWO MORE INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION WINNERS - EDEL MUNOZ FROM CUBA AND ROVSHAN MAMEDKULIEV FROM RUSSIA AT WEILL RECITAL ON MARCH 15TH. IT'S 1:26AM MONDAY MORNING AND I AM PRESENTLY VIEWING AND LISTENING TO THE COMPETITION VIDEO OF MR.MUNOZ-Beautiful playing!Clean and musical.Next I will check out Mr. Mamedkuliev.Just checked him out and he is also worth the trip to the box office. Boy- I tell you there are so many of these kids all over the world who have it all together.Technique and musicianship. The Conservatories are doing one hell of a great job.There are so many!! Well, I will continue to report on what I see and hear. Here in New York, the students at The Manhattan School of Music and Mannes School of Music have some really superb young kids just getting ready to strut their stuff. I will get a list and tell you about them in the future ok!

If there is a video of them performing,why show up to the concert hall? Because we should support our young artists in their performance environment. We get a feel for them as breathing human beings transmitting music directly to us. Pus we may have some nice surprises.Maybe we can get a few pointers either on repertoire or technical tidbits.It is also fun to discuss the program with fellow audience members. Maybe a new piece will catch our eyes and minds or an interpretation may shed light on a familiar piece causing us to say HHMMM!That's' interesting! Also we must not forget that the live concert is something that is really special and must be experienced in itself.

A dream Concert by Two Great young kids !

2012-02-05T20:03:00.000-08:00

Weill Recital Hall,at Carnegie Hall,hosted two exceptional Prize Winning Classical Guitarists this past Thursday evening and for those of you who missed it,you missed one of the finest displays of great musicianship and virtuosity I have seen in my lifetime. Both young winners had their own individual stamp and their chosen instruments really suited their different characters. The wonderful Swedish Guitarist,JOHANNES MOLLER performed on a 2 week young CHRISTOPHER DEAN Spruce top that did everything JOHANNES requested of it! From my seat in front row balcony,the sound was crystal clear.I did not catch the make of the other young master, Mexican Virtuoso CECILIO PERERA, who played a Cedar top instrument that perfectly attacked the air with a vibrant tone,boldly articulating the powerful program presented.
I actually found out about the concert while attending the Masterclasses at The Manhattan School of Music, of legendary PEPE ROMERO. In the lobby, I saw the poster for the concert and wrote it down in my notebook.

TALE OF TWO VERY DIFFERENT APPROACHES

I thoroughly enjoyed both the programs presented by these two young Masters. CECILIO PERERA,started off the first half with a totally outrageously brilliant performance of the Leo Brouwer Sonata that KICKED SERIOUS GUITAR BUTT!! I heard the 3rd movement the day before at a special presentation at the Mannes School of Music and just about fell off my chair - his interpretation was like a savage beast clawing into the room with SO MUCH ENERGY AND ELECTRICITY!!W H E W !!!This Sonata was written for one of my greatest loved Guitarists-JULIAN BREAM-and I must admit that this kid had an attack and ferociousness that kicked my man JULIAN a little to the curb. He then followed that up with a totally NON BREAMIAN interpretation of the 5 Bagatelles of William Walton- again reaching into the well known JULIAN BREAM BAG of goodies but CECILIOS' interpretation was no slave to the BREAMIAN MANTLE! I loved each and every Bagatelle as CECILIO gave each it's own space and had such exquisite phrasing and tonal ideas that showed we had an intelligent interpreter at work.How many times have people copied Breams interpretation instead of imbuing their own intelligent thoughts about the works!CECILIO ended this triumphant first half of the program with an heroic and bold interpretation of the great Sonata op. 47 of ALBERTO GINASTERA! I have worked a little on this monster when it first came out through the hands of my former coach Carlos Barbosa Lima and attended a Masterclass in which he taught the piece.The GUITAR REVIEW also printed Carlos' Masterclass on the Sonata many years ago.This work is a tough baby to crack! It opens up with some juicy 6 string slow arpeggios and trills to slowly get into a mystical mood with each movement leading to that BOMBASTIC FINALE that calls on only the BRAVE AT HEART to attack as Ginastera pulls no punches in bringing up every conceivable Rhythm from the Argentine Pampas that rips your nails and just about breaks your wrist.We even get a little play of strings behind the nut of the guitar plus some body blows.Technically and interpretively there is a lot going on in these four movements.
CECILIO played the killer last movement like he was going for a little stroll in the park-such is his supreme technical equipment!! For his one encore, he stated that he was going to play play "Another piece by Brouwer-but unlike the previous composition". He then melted the audience with a sublime and deeply moving interpretation of the popular "A Day in November". This Brouwer piece is like a movie theme and so many rush to play it. This performance of it was the best I have heard - PERIOD! The use of vibrato and Rubato showed the audience that not only could he boldly scare the crap out of you with his demonic like attack when needed, it was as though he said - CHECK THIS OUT! YES! I can caress your heart and make you say OOOOHHHHHHHH MMMYYYYY!! This is the sign of a great artist who lives the music and can thoroughly transmit the essence of each work he touches. BRAVO YOUNG MAESTRO. If you want to melt your aural heart and grasp the power of attack, just check out this great young man on YOU TUBE!

Poetry and a Suave Swedish Master!

As mentioned,this concert presented two totally different approaches to our great and noble instrument and this young Swedish Champion dazzled the audience with a totally different stay on the concert platform as his half concentrated on several of his own compositions which was MYSTICAL and OTHER WORLDLY! Again, I thoroughly enjoyed everything JOHANNES performed as he brought absolutely gorgeous sounds from his two week young CHRISTOPHER DEAN SPRUCE TOP!He has his own compositional voice that sometimes concentrated on brushing across 6 string arpeggios against a repeated base but also had him magically interspersing harmonics both natural and artificial at appropriate points in his thematic development.His compositions have you expanding your aural senses to include the Universe as a fit place for the music to land!The program presented three of his compositions plus LAMENTO-SCHERZO by Canadian Composer DENIS GOUGEON, which was the commissioned competition piece for the 2010 GFA Competition won by JOHANNES.As his bow to a 'familiar' piece,he performed an exquisite interpretation of UN SUENO EN LA FLORESTA by Paraguyan Virtuoso/Composer AUGUSTINE BARRIOS MANGORE. This piece is a gem when the performer has total command of that elusive guitar technique- The Tremolo! JOHANNES has one of the most beautiful tremolos I have ever heard. Varying intensities and at times fluttering like the wings of a butterfly! Totally perfect tempo and tender nuance!His encore was his own composition "A Star in the Sky,A Universe within". Before he sat down to perform this lovely piece (also on You Tube),he mentioned that he had a DVD and 2 Cd's Available-Perfect promotion! Again,I refer you to YOU TUBE where you will find several videos of this excellent young artist including some of his original pieces performed as only he can.I spent some time congratulating his father at the reception and thanked his father for nurturing such a special young artist!

You should post these names on your cell phones or computers to know that you must jump to wherever these young vibrant and special artists are playing! DON'T MISS THEM!!!! THEY ARE GREAT!!!

I must also thank The D'Addario foundation for relaunching this series and making it affordable to the public which resulted in almost a full house for these two deserving young greats! I must also thank the following great people who added their great touches in bringing off this wonderful evening of musical joy for my dear noble instrument: MICHAEL NEWMAN & LAURA OLTMAN,LAURIE SHULMAN,MICAELA PITTALUGA,DAN MCDANIEL MANAGEMENT TEAM,LYNN MCGRATH,THOMAS OFFERMANN,BEN VERDERY,THE STAFF OF CARNEGIE AND WEILL HALL,THE D'ADDARIO CONCERT SERIES TEAM.

I must also say that I loved the format of the program.It was very attractive and the notes on the compositions were perfectly welcome. I always read them after the performance of the works so not to be swayed or conscious of what to look for. Music should be experienced and not made to be an intellectual exercise.Also check out the interesting interviews with JOHANNES on You Tube! Hope I have not overstayed my posting visit but I needed to give just due to such wonderful young people who make me proud that I love this great instrument.The future of the Classical Guitar is assured of success when we have these kids leading the way! THANKS CECILIO and JOHANNES. The world is yours!!!

Another great not mentioned - ROBERTO AUSSEL

2012-02-04T13:46:00.000-08:00

Since I have been on the Guitar scene so long, I am having a feast on YOU TUBE by being able to visit so many of my Guitar Heros and one of them is the super virtuoso ROBERTO AUSSEL! I am listening to him right now remembering how awesome he is! He is playing is FREIDERICH and as always,sounding great! He is playing a concert of all Atahualpa Yupanqui works. I was just visiting with Yupanqui videos as I will be playing a couple of his works next Saturday in Concert. Back to the great ROBERTO AUSSEL. Get a taste of this great on YOU TUBE!

THE BRAZIL GUITAR DUO = AGAIN

2012-02-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

I can't say enough about two outrageously gifted artists - THE BRAZIL GUITAR DUO! When you have a question "Who will follow the ASSAD DUO"? Here they are here- JOAO LUIZ and DOUGLAS LORA.As I write this post, I have them,playing one of their YOU TUBE Videos and their fresh interpretive skills just "BOWL ME OVER"!! I know I have posted about them a while ago but great things have to be reemphasised especially sine I run into Joao at Mannes every time I attend a concert there.Go on YOU TUBE to experience these two great artists in action! You will be mesmerized by their FANTASTIC ARTISTRY!!!!

Don - Still crazy after all these years!!!

Report on Weill Recital Hall coming up!!

2012-02-04T12:04:00.000-08:00

Within the next couple of days, I will follow up on that FANTASTIC Weill Recital Hall Concert of those two highly Gifted Young men presented by the D'Daddario Sting Company! I would first love to publically thank D'Daddario for just about filling the hall due to their offering tickets at affordable prices! I will be 62 in April and have been on the Classical and Jazz Guitar Scene since 1962 and have studied with the best of the best and heard the best in the world as they traveled through New York and I feel like a kid in my teens- STILL HUNGRY FOR SOME GREAT GUITAR PLAYING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! I cry when I know a great player is in town and get a piss poor audience!In this case, I was so happy to see and almost sold out house for these two exceptionally gifted young tigers! Of course lucky me caught them twice this week and I will have to publicly thank MARK GREENBERG for telling me about the special Mannes event on Wednesday, THANKS MARK!! This post is just to touch base with you folks as my head is spinning from the amount of Guitar Concerts I have been to over the last two weeks and I believe I will be going tonight to another. I have had to slow down my event hopping a bit but I happy to receive the good feedback from my work. I receive no money for this but feel it important that my life here on the Guitar planet means something. I want only the best for my lovely instrument - the Guitar and hope that you too aspire to do the same. Speak to you soon and keep working on your guitars!!!

Two Young Contest Winners to Play At Weill Recital Hall tomorrow February 2nd

2012-02-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate today to be at the MANNES SCHOOL OF MUSIC, where they held a private "for students" presentation of a 20 minute film about the History of The MICHELE PITTALUGA INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION and on hand were two superb young virtuosos : CECILIO PERERA ( 2011 Michele Pittaluga Winner) and JOHANNES MOLLER(2010 GFA 1st Prize).Both brilliant young men will be in concert at the Weill Recital Hall tomorrow night Thursday February 2nd at 8pm, presented by The D'addario String Company. While having a little computer snafu delay the proceedings, as usual my buddy Michael Newman, with the help of some computer savvy students sent us on our merry stay in Goldmark Hall as we had a chance to taste the excellent Techniques and musicianship of these two extraordinary young men.I suggest you turn on your YOU TUBE channel and feast on the existing videos exposing the exploita of these seasoned artists! You will find more than enough examples of greatness. For their pre concert visit, they both played two pieces and answered questions about warm up procedures.
CECILIO PERERA played the third movement from Leo Brouwers'Sonata with an absolutely monstrous technical facility that knocked us all out! His second piece was "Son de La Negra by Blas Galindo/ transcribed by Julio Cesar Oliva. You can find a performance of both Cecilio and Julio on You Tube. Cecilio also treated us to his warm up exercises that were very interesting.I'll have to pick my brains for a future detailed report as I did not carry my usual 4 pens and notebook. His articulation was really something to behold! Bold and clean~!!By the way Cecilio is from Mexico.
The young Swedish Virtuoso and 2010 GFA FOUNDATION 1st Prize Winner JOHANNES MOLLER, played an original composition that was "Out of this world" lovely exposing an extremely sensitive and powerful technique which was followed by that beautiful tremolo piece,JULIA FLORIDA by the equally fabulous Guitarist/Composer Augustin Barrios Mangore. That tremolo of Johannes was simply a joy to behold how it fluttered like a butterfly and was so elastic! One of the finest tremolos I have ever heard on our great instrument. Even though I am scheduled for a gig before their concert tomorrow night, I will cut my last hour so I can drop off my rig and get to the hall in time to check out these two wonderful kids in action. I tell you that I fall in love with this instrument every time someone steps up to the performance plate and delivers a musical and or technical "home run" like these two young men did! In the audience,the "CREAM OF THE CROP" of Mannes students were on hand to nourish their thoughts. Johannes had his father with him - who is a flautist. I also had a chance to check out a Greg Byers guitar that Johannes had for sale.Nice Guitar. We must also extend a good hug and thanks to the daughter of Michele Pittaluga for giving us such an excellent lecture about the History of the Guitar and Composition Competition started by her Father. The Composer side is about 10 years old while the initial Guitar Competition is 45 years old- W O W ! In these times of short lived and poorly funded Musical Events, this is surely a miracle whcih can only be achieved by always having only the best minds and passions for our beloved Guitar at work! CONGRATULATIONS to the PITTALUGA FAMILY and Artistic director ALIRIO DIAZ!!!! Check out Aliro Diaz on YOU TUBE! WHAT A GREAT ONE!!!!

PEPE ROMERO TEACHES POETRY - PART 1

2012-01-28T09:22:00.000-08:00

A few days have passed since my two days of Masterclasses with that LEGENDARY VIRTUOSO - PEPE ROMERO and I am still so happy to have been there at The Manhattan School of Music for this momentus occasion! I could not make the first Class this past Monday because I was worn out by my own 4 hour gig at the Staten Island Ferry.I was in heaven on Wednesday the last day as Pepe sat next to me while listening to the students, which afforded me a chance to have some private conversation with PEPE. I will tell you that I was stunned at how few people attended the masterclasses the two days I was there-especially Tuesday! I guess my love for this great instrument has always had me wonder why an International and Historically important artist like PEPE ROMERO did not draw a respectable audience! What a shame in this case because the wealth of information that was passed on by this 68 year young Genius was priceless! Each and every student miraculously improved after receiving instructions from the Maestro!I was so proud of these young chargers and see that the future of our great instrument is in very capable hands. This is just an opening post for a more detailed set of posts on this great event. Over the last few days at my gigs, the PEPE ROMERO EFFECT has made me notice that even my playing took another step up in execution and musicality as seen in my tips! I want to share these wonderful jewels of instruction with you in the coming posts,so stay hungry and please forgive the time lapses in between because I am a working musician and am playing several hours almost every day of the week and at my 61 years young, I need some extra vitamin c and e to get some gusto in my walk. I can't believe that in April I will be 62 because I am out there like a 30 year old and am enjoying every minute I can play in public. See you in part two of the PEPE ROMERO CLASS!

SUPER VIRTUOSO WOLFGANG LENDLE/ANIELLO DESIDERIO

2012-01-22T03:43:00.000-08:00

If you want to be shocked into the realm of Herculean Classical Guitar prowess, please ruch to you tube and experience the "AWESOME" Guitar work of the great German Virtuoso WOLFGANG LENDLE!! I know I have mentioned him before but he must be recognized as a true "GUITAR MONSTER"! This man just "tears it up"! I have just been listening and watching one of his many videos and let me tell you he is one of our most amazing virtuosos on ANY instrument! What a G I A N T !!!! I met him over a decade ago here in New York at I believe Manhattan School of Music or the Spanish Institute. I was front center and he just tore my head off with the most amazing ROBERT RUCK Cedar Top Guitar and a virtuosity that body slammed my senses~! So clean and pinpointed was his technique and what a superlative musician! What note articulation supremacy! Gorgeous tone and superb phraasing! We are indebted to our internet that allow us to witness such greatness. I could watch him all day and night!

Another Guitar God in the Classical Realm is the magnificent Italian Virtuoso : ANIELLO DESIDERIO! A truly virtuosic giant if there ever was one! So check him out!

Good Guitar Listening. I'm sure I will be letting you know about more greats we get a chance to meet on the net!

MAESTRO PEPE ROMERO AT MSM MON-WED THIS WEEK!!!

2012-01-22T02:33:00.000-08:00

I am proud to announce that MAESTRO PEPE ROMERO will be giving 3, 3 hour master classes at the Manhattan School of Music this Monday through Wednesday. Below is all the info. Hope to see you there as I will be coming straight from gigs each day in order to bathe in the Maestros' great teaching! It will be an education par excel lance! Don't miss this rare treat!!

The distinguished Guitarist PEPE ROMERO will be in residence at Manhattan School of Music January 23 – 25. His residency will include master classes that will be given in the School’s Miller Recital Hall – Monday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, January 24 at 3:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 25 at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Romero’s residency is made possible by The Augustine Foundation. A complete program listing for all three master classes is attached at the end of this press release.

The last time that a series of guitar master classes took place in New York City was in 1987 when Andres Segovia was presented in a series of master classes. In the past, Manhattan School of Music has had an ongoing relationship with the Augustine Foundation presenting a series of guitar concerts showcasing the great guitarists – the series included such guitarists as Julian Bream, the Assad Brothers, David Starobin, Paul O’Dette and David Russell, to name a few.

David Leisner, co-chair of MSM’s Guitar Department says, “Pepe Romero is one of the few living legends of the classical guitar. In addition to his extraordinary guitar playing, he is a master teacher. Pepe offers the kind of technical advice, with shortcuts and tricks of the trade that can only be gleaned from many decades of experience at the top of the field. He is also generous with his immense musical wisdom and profoundly human artistic insights. Here we have the very rare opportunity to witness the maestro work up close, in the intimate Miller Recital Hall, with the very talented guitar students of the Manhattan School of Music, in a rare series of three master classes. We are delighted at the opportunity to present Pepe Romero and are most grateful to the Augustine Foundation for making it possible.”

The master classes with Pepe Romero are open to the public and tickets are not required. For information, contact the MSM Concert Office at 917 493 4428 or visit www.msmnyc.edu. Manhattan School of Music is located on the northwest corner of Broadway and 122nd Street, and is easily accessible by public transportation. Several MTA bus lines stop within two blocks at Broadway and 122nd Street; the subway, No. 1 train, stops at the 116th Street and 125th Street stations.

Pepe Romero is a world-renowned classical and flamenco guitarist. He was born in Málaga, Spain in 1944 and in 1957 with his family, fled Franco’s Spain for the United States. His father, the legendary Celedonio Romero, was his only guitar teacher and his first professional appearance was in a shared concert with his father when he was age seven. He is the second son of “The Royal Family of the Guitar,” The Romeros, and with his father and brothers he helped establish The Romeros quartet as the leading classical guitar ensemble worldwide. As a member of The Romeros, he has performed at the White House for Presidents Carter and Nixon, as well as at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II. His performances have also been heard by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain, and Queen Beatrice of Holland.

Pepe Romero is particularly known for his outstanding technique and colorful musical interpretations. He is in demand worldwide for his solo recitals and performances with orchestras. Mr. Romero has appeared with orchestras including the Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, Houston, Pittsburgh, Boston, San Francisco, as well as with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestras, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and the London Symphony. Mr. Romero has been a special guest at the festivals of Salzburg, Israel, Schleswig-Holstein, Menuhin, Osaka, Granada, Istanbul, Ravinia, Hollywood Bowl, Blossom, Wolf Trap and Saratoga. His contributions to the field of classical guitar have inspired numerous distinguished composers to compose works especially for him, including Joaquin Rodrigo, Federic Moreno Torroba, Rev. Francisco de Madina, Lorenzo Palomo and Celedonio Romero. He made his first recording at the age of 15, and has since recorded more than 60 solo albums as well as 30 recordings as part of The Romeros.

His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain knighted Pepe Romero and his brothers, Celin and Angel, into the Order of “Isabel la Catolica.” He serves as Adjunct Professor of Classical Guitar at the University of California’s Thornton School of Music, where he was named “Distinguished Artist in Residence” in 2004.

Pepe Romero Master Classes in MSM’s Miller Recital Hall

Monday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Sonata Pathétique
Adagio cantabile (arr. Francisco Tárrega)
Isaac Sharp (student of Mark Delpriora)

FEDERICO MORENO-TORROBA (1891-1982)
Sonatina in A major
Allegro
William Cassatt (student of David Leisner)

JOAQUÍN RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Tres Piezas Españolas
Fandango
Joshua Bavaro (student of David Leisner)

JOAQUÍN RODRIGO
Invocación y Danza
Steven Cowan (student of David Leisner)

MAURO GIULIANI (1781 -1829)
Concerto, op. 30
Allegro maestoso
Bradley Colten, Guitar (student of David Starobin)
Katie Leung, Piano

Tuesday, January 24 at 3:00 p.m.

HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Etude no. 8 in C# minor
Max Boras (student of Mark Delpriora)

AGUSTÍN BARRIOS (1885-1944)
Julia Florida
Jacqueline Westerduin (student of Mark Delpriora)

REGINO SAINZ DE LA MAZA (1896-1981)
Zapateado
Robert Adler (student of Mark Delpriora)

HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Mazurka-Chôro
Rianne Mision (student of David Leisner)

MAURO GIULIANI (1781-1829)
Etudes, op. 51
No. 13
No. 14
Kazuki Ueki (student of David Starobin)

MANUEL MARÍA PONCE (1882-1948)
Suite in A minor
Gavota
James Garber (student of Mark Delpriora)

Wednesday, January 25 at 5:00 p.m.

HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Etude no. 11
Shunsuke Fuchioka (student of Mark Delpriora)

MANUEL MARÍA PONCE (1882-1948)
Sonata III
Allegro moderato
Dylan Berman (student of Mark Delpriora)

JOAQUÍN RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Concierto de Aranjuez
Adagio
Vilian Ivantchev, Guitar (student of David Starobin)
Katie Leung, Piano

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)
Lute Suite, BWV 996
Praeludio
Gunnlaugur (Gulli) Björnsson (student of David Leisner)

W H E W !!!! What a lineup of music that will be covered. I'm tired just reading the list! I've got my pens and pads ready to learn all I can! Hope you do the same!

Donnie Guitar!

Caballero

2012-01-18T02:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the misspelling of Jorge's name. I get too excited when I talk about him because he is so magnificent! Right know I am experiencing Jorge play the Cromatic Fugue and Fantasy by Bach! W H E W - another shock to the system!

JORGE CABALLERO-MAGICAL VIRTUOSO

2012-01-18T01:55:00.000-08:00

I am presently up at 4:55 am watching and listening to one of the greatest Classical Guitar Virtuosos in Music History- My friend and dear esteemed colleague JORGE CABALLERO.I have known this fantastic musician since his student days at The Manhattan School of Music. I first heard him at a Master Class in which he played for the equally fantastic ASSAD BROTHERS!! I remember it as though it were yesterday. I was totally bowled over by his Bach playing. His tone was so pure and his performance of ornaments on repeats, were crisp,clear and right on the money!! I wrote down in my notes: There is nothing negative the brothers can say about JORGE! He has it all: technique,musicality and supreme artistry! Odair was the first to comment and pretty much word for word stated the same! His brother Sergio uttered the same and Odair ended the few comments with: "we are proud to have this excellent artist write in his biography that he payed in our master class!".

If you want to find out how incredible our great instrument is, attend a concert by this musical genius- the Peruvian Guitar God JORGE CABALLERRO. You will have to go out and get drunk after you are smacked down by the incredible JORGE! Last year I attended the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR as a participant and attended his master classes and was intellectually walloped by the genius in this your man! He gave us a excellent lecture on the whole philosophy of playing the guitar that was totally engrossing and detailed.Of course all the players just wanted to get down and strutt their stuff as usual but it was a special treat (for me at least) to listen to such poetical explanations of our craft.I, being an experienced concert artist myself and having been around the block a few times thoroughly enjoyed this master class and hope that the young kids got the point that they were in the room with a true genius. Knowing my dear colleague, he would tell me "Don! Stop that crap! I'm not all that"! Well he is and everyone will also note that he is so kind and gentle. His future in our music world has already been securely established. He is already acknowledged as one of the finest Guitarists in History. Get on You Tube and get your butts scared at his Herculean and other worldly Artistry! I know what I am talking about. I would not stare you wrong! Hope you do! Keep your listening chops up! Check out what Jorge does with Pictures at An Exhibition! W H E W ! ! ! ! !
So beautifully clearly executed both musically and technically as is all he does with every piece he plays!!!
Donnie!

Two Mentors in print! A.C.JOBIM & PAT MARTINO

2012-01-18T00:04:00.001-08:00

I am so happy to let you know that two of my great mentors are in print with biographies! I was fortunate to have studied with the legendary PAT MARTINO in the 70's and BACKBEAT BOOKS HAVE ISSUED HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY "HERE AND NOW-THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PAT MARTINO".It retails for $24.99- a real bargain. I just picked it up yesterday and it is a great read and even has some lesson material to sharpen your playing chops in the appendix! Secondly, my longest love affair is the great genius ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM whom I met finally around a year before he passed away here ion New York through my dear teacher and colleague Antonio Carlos Barbosa Lima. His biography is:"ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM-AN ILLUMINATED MAN" by his poetic sister Helena Jobim. It is published by Hal Leonard books and retails for $27.99. I hope you rush out and buy them both. The Jobim had to be translated from the Portuguese. Just wanted to pass this by you who are hungry for direct information about two legendary men who have shaped our musical sphere greatly. I am so lucky to have had them as a part of my life.I will probably write up a review of both biographies for you soon as both reads look like quick ones! Stay tuned to the DONNIE CHANNEL for more guitar tidbits I recently attended!

Tribute To JIM HALL Sunday January 15th

2012-01-16T22:03:00.000-08:00

On and incredibly freezing night of 15 degrees, I stood outside the venue that housed a special tribute to one of my great teachers- THE LEGENDARY JIM HALL!! The cost of the ticket was a mere $20 bucks but I only decided to attend last Sunday. I had already attended 3 concerts / gigs of colleagues and I thought it would be pushing it a bit but thanks to my brilliant wife (who really knows best), I dressed warmly and headed out into a 17 degree evening to the East side just off the Bowery and Houston Street.

Jan. 15 2012 Sunday 8:00 PM | Honoring Jim Hall
Nels Cline, Vic Juris, Mary Halvorsen, Gilad Hekselman, Adam Rogers, Steve Cardenas, David Binney, Joel Harrison String Choir, Scott Colley and Chris Potter

I was a few minutes after the starting time and found out that the gig was sold out!!! You know that lost feeling of not being able to get into what you knew would be a great event. I could see a duo playing through the window and started crying inside. The doorman was a big guy- ANTONIO - who was a great representative of the venue in that he was meticulous with every prospective client checking ids, and politely informing each person that unless they have tickets or was on the guest, he could not allow them access.I would love to have Antonio as my man in front! He did an excellent job.I was not to be denied ( as Walt Frasier Says!). As I patiently waited for some glimmer of hope,One admission freed up and I was allowed in. I stood my space right to the right of the door in a corner next to a small table! The venue
was packed and I had to see the gigging greats over the shoulders of the folks in front of me! No sweat for me since I am a guitarist who doesn't have to check out that fingerboard. VIC JURIS was of interest to me in that I have known him for a couple of decades and recently worked with his excellent DVD - ALL THAT JAZZ!He has chops to burn and I love the way he navigates around the fingerboards usig intervals of the 5th and 4ths, plus how he plays on the "OUTSIDE"! When you get a chance to experience so many great players strutting their stuff, you realize who many ways you can approach the craft of improvising on our wonderful chosen instrument.
The evening was devoted to either original tunes of JIM HALL or tunes he enjoyed playing. DAVID SPELLMAN is my man as far as the producer of this magnificent event and he is great-having produced many Guitar Festivals here and abroad! I believe he is the best there is and once again,he produced a jewel! Unfortunately Jim could not appear due to health concerns. It was announced from the stage that he called in the afternoon and was sad to inform all that he wasn't up to it. Last year, Jim finally had back surgery for a problem that has been nagging him for years and is still in recovery mode. I called him yesterday-Monday to wish him a speedy and thorough recovery and I would hope that all his friends make sure that he knows how much he means to us as a member of our Guitar family and our Human family! If you see him, Make sure you give him the warmest hug you can muster and look into is eyes and tell him how much you love and respect him and his humanity!

This was an evening full of love and respect for one of the finest human beings and greatest musicians in MUSIC HISTORY! The fact that he can transport to heaven on 6 strings of a wooden box has shown us the way for several decades and I am happy that we celebrate this noble and special human being while he is ALIVE!! There was so much LOVE emanating in each and every performance tonight and I was honored to have been a part of this great moment in Musical History.

I must mention - because I promised - a couple of other fine employees of this fine venue: 1) My beautiful and gracious waitress excelled in quietly requesting orders and gently delivering it with virtuosic effectiveness! Lets hear it for ADDY!!!!!!I believe that was her name. 2) The aforementioned ANTONIO made sure that each and every person entering was fit for entrance and I loved the way he handled everyone with courtesy and respect! This evening was part of the NEW YORK GUITAR FESTIVAL which is being held at several venues around the City for the month of January!

THE VENUE WAS = Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen Street New York, NY 10002
(212) 477-4155
http://www.rockwoodmusichall.com

Time to get busy! / Guitar World/ Buzzing Concerts

2012-01-15T02:40:00.000-08:00

It is 5:41 am, Sunday Morning January 15Th and I have a 9 to 12 gig at Penn Station this morning and spent the last few hours checking out great performance videos on You Tube and found a great Classical Guitar Website that I did not know about authored by Mark Antony called : GUITAR WORLD / Classical Guitar Appreciation! Boy it is G R E A T !!!!!. It has been up since 2008 and I have been stunned that I did not know about this site and will be checking into it as the days go by ! G R E A T
W O R K M A R K !!!!

Here in New York this month, we are having a deluge of Guitar Concerts of all Genres! This week alone, I attended a Tuesday Concert for Guitar and Tenor at Weill Recital Hall,an International Guitar Night at a place called the Highline Ballroom , and one of my all time favorite Hangs is at the MANNES COLLEGE OF MUSIC whose Guitar Degree Program is headed by the great MICHAEL NEWMAN and LAURA OLTMAN! I actually passed up another 3 day festival opening night to see and experience Guitar Heaven in the great musical arms of Mike and Laura. Today - or rather tonight I Hope to attend the last night of a three day festival honoring one of my former teachers- legendary JIM HALL as several greats pay tribute to my dear legendary teacher! When I attended the Thursday International Guitar Night, I was hoping to snag an interview with Brazilian Virtuoso Marco Periera but they were on to another City for another International Guitar Night! We have so many Guitar events to start off this year here in New York and I hope to be able to shout them out to you! I will also try to post reviews of all the events I have attended. They may be on the short side but I hope you will enjoy the coverage. I need to get a couple of hours of shut eye before my morning gig and hope to be able to start posting the great events of this week. Hope you folks are having a great New Year this 2012 and keep plucking those Guitar strings!!

Don

Benjamin Verdery Interview

2012-01-07T02:22:00.000-08:00

Listen to the BENJAMIN VERDERY INTERVIEW on YOU TUBE downloaded by UCtelevision! BEN IS GREAT. I've known him since the early 70's FANTASTIC Virtuoso player,teacher thinker and human! Lots of food for thought in this almost hour interview with Brain Head! ENJOY! Thanks Ben!

Donnie Guitar

Whoops! Kenny Hill Interview= 5 parts Whew!

2012-01-07T02:18:00.000-08:00

A little New Year Slip! The you tube KENNY HILL INTERVIEW has 5 parts not 3! I'm
listening to it as I write this for you! Sorry for the slip up. Glad I caught it!

Don

Kenny Hill Luthier on You Tube

2012-01-07T02:12:00.001-08:00

Check out the 3 part interview with the great American Luthier KENNY HILL on You Tube! I hung with Kenny in 2004 at the World Guitar Congress in Maryland. Great insights into the Building Craft! He touches all the bases! What a gem of an interview.

Donnie Guitar

Hello to 2012 /Peter Fletcher this Tuesday!

2012-01-07T01:28:00.000-08:00

I want to say hello to all my buddies around the world with a verbal hug to you all. In particular I want to thank my dear buddy MAURICE SUMMERFIELD for the continued excellence of his Great Magazine - CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE! I look forward to each and every issue. With 2011 in the past and it's tough times for me and my wife, we look forward to better happenings in this year of 2012! I had to step out of the Guitar scene last year and had to stop several projects as I had to secure my health.I'm feeling much better and have been playing gigs since early June of last year.I owe my sweet and dear wife the utmost gratitude for pulling me through my quadruple bypass operation by getting my butt out and walking plus supplying me with
the most incredible culinary miracles!I can never repay her for her great love and caring plus the fact that we lost her father last year after a long illness and the year before we lost her mother! I loved them so much and even now when I think of them, I immediately cry!They were both so sweet and loving. Well let me stop before my tears sprout on to this e-mail. I am hoping to pick up on two outstanding projects that had to be held up - 1) A biog/interview of the Fantastic Brazilian Virtuoso- ROMERO LUBAMBO for Maurice Summerfield and the long overdue interview of the Brilliant German Virtuoso, the Poetic PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN. I hope Pia reads this because I returned to her a couple of days ago by closely listening to one of her wonderful recordings of A Fantasy by Sor on the special Torres Copy built by The Fantastic Virtuoso Luthier DARYL PERRY of Canada!Well, I hope that I can get to logging at least a couple of posts a week in 2012. I am out performing almost every day of the week and had to take it easy on checking out my colleagues. In a few months - April 6th - I will turn 62 and am playing better than every as I hunt down lessons on YOU TUBE and my awesome library! Right now I'm checking out various Rock,Metal,Grunge and other wild Guitar styles all in an effort to add some interesting tidbits of different techniques to my arsenal of musical profiles. I will list what I have found to be very useful in this current pursuit and I hope to return to the Guitar scene starting this Tuesday at PETER FLETCHERS Concert at Weill Recital Hall. I will be there to review what looks like a very interesting concert! Peter met me a week ago at one of my gigs at the STATEN ISLAND FERRY. What a wonderful surprise that was! Peter has an awesome talent and works extremely hard at his craft especially on the publicity side. Hope to see some of my buddies there Tuesday. Let me Whet your appetite with a sampling of the program:

AMERICAN TENOR AND CLASSICAL GUITARIST PREMIER NEW WORKS AT WEILL RECITAL HALL AT CARNEGIE HALL JANUARY 10, 2012, 8 pm

Program features New York premier of a major work by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and commission of composer Clarice Assad

The American tenor David Michael Schuster and classical guitarist Peter Fletcher will perform a varied program featuring music for guitar and voice, in both original and transcription versions on Tuesday evening at Weill Recital Hall, 154 West 57th Street. The complete program is as follows:

Praetorius – Courante, Ballet, Volte (from Terpischore)

Mompou -- Damunt de tu només les flors (from Combat Del Somni)

Ponce – Preludio (in the style of Weiss) and Preambulo (in the style of A. Scarlatti)

Clarice Assad -- Enquanto a noite durar (world premier)

Schubert --- Ständchen; Der Leiermann and Die Post (from Winterreise)

- INTERMISSION –

Tedesco – The Divan of Moses-IBN-Ezra (1055-1155) op 207

Tickets are $35- $45 and may be obtained at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, from Carnegie Charge at 212-247-7362, or online at www.carnegiehall.org.

Italian Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco composed The Divan of Moses ibn-Ezra, Op. 207, in 1966. It is a cycle based on the 12th century writings of Spanish poet/philosopher/rabbi Moses- ibn-Ezra and performed in English. Divided into five sections, the music leads the listener on the poet’s journey, and perhaps the composer’s as well, through the songs of wandering, friendship, wine and the beauty of country life to the evils of the world and eventually, to the grave.

This performance of the Tedesco will be a Carnegie Hall debut and the first time The Divan has ever been performed in its entirety with a male voice. The entire cycle has been given, at last count, 7 times, with its world premiere given in 1973 in Copenhagen and has only been recorded twice with the soprano voice. Through extensive research and through Mr. Schuster’s acquaintance with the composer’s daughter in-law, Lisbeth and granddaughter, Diana, much was learned about the history of the cycle, and information was garnered from other guitarists as well as from some of the most respected music historians around the world.

Artists:

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Grammy Award-nominated Clarice Assad is making her mark in the music world as a versatile artist of musical depth and sophistication. A pianist, arranger, vocalist and composer, her works have been performed world wide. Her music— sought out by musicians both in the classical and the jazz realms—has been performed and recorded by many of today’s top artists, including the Philadelphia Orchestra and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. As a performer, Clarice Assad has received high acclaim for performances of her original compositions and standards in jazz and Brazilian music. Assad has been described as a “charismatic singer” (New York Times) and as “a fine classical and jazz pianist, composer and jazz-infused pop stylist” (JAZZ Times).

www.clariceassad.com

Tenor David Michael Schuster has a career which spans 30 years and is well known to opera and concertgoers throughout Europe. From his debut with the Albany Symphony Orchestra and recital debut at Carnegie Recital Hall in 1981, to the stages of Spoleto, Italy and the Bavarian State Theater in Munich, Germany, where he was a leading tenor from 1989-1995. Stated The New York Times: “[He] shows a tenor voice not only unusually rich and full in the lower register, but unforced and brilliant in the upper register as well.” Mr. Schuster also appeared as tenor soloist with the RTSI Orchestra in Lugano, Switzerland, where he performed many operatic roles as well as many oratorios and toured throughout Europe appearing as Manrico (Il Trovatore) and Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly) and Raoul (Les Huguenots).

A versatile and in-demand artist, Peter Fletcher performs over 100 concerts every year under the auspices of Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists. Proclaimed Peter Burwasser of Fanfare Magazine: “Fletcher plays it all with a gracious virtuosity that makes for a very pleasing hour plus of unaffected musical poetry.” In addition to playing standard works for classical guitar, Mr. Fletcher believes in expanding the repertoire by transcribing works from other instruments and programming new works. His current project with Centaur Records is a all-Grieg album for which he himself is writing the transcriptions. Scheduled release date is September 2012. www.peterfletcher.com

This concert is presented by www.amocanti.org .

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS AND MAY YOU HAVE A LONG VISIT FROM THE GOOD HEALTH DOCTOR!

DONNIE "GUITAR" Witter,Jr.

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact Antonia Thornton, 212-749-5420 or pf.guitarist@gmail.com

WOLFGANG LENDLE ON YOU TUBE

2011-12-07T02:04:00.000-08:00

I am once again reminding you of the great German Virtuoso WOLFGANG LENDLE! I have him playing as I write this post and implore you to jump on to YouTube and feast on this truly phenomenal Artist. Such great musicality and perfection of execution! What a treat to be here at 5:06 am in the morning having a great concert by one of our truly great artists who you probably no nothing about! TRUST ME! LISTEN TO WOLFGANG LENDLE AND FEAST ON THE BEST THAT THE CLASSICAL GUITAR HAS TO OFFER!
He recently downloaded about 14 or so videos produced in his home and MAN OH MAN what a Guitar MONSTER!!!!!! He plays his ass off! THANKS WOLFGANG!!!!!

Rupert Boyd - GREAT YOUNG VIRTUOSO

2011-12-07T00:57:00.000-08:00

I JUST RECEIVED AN E-MAIL FROM MY YOUNG COLLEAGUE RUBERT BOYD informing me that he will be giving a concert at TRINITY CHURCH tomorrow Thursday at 1pm.I have followed this great young artist for several years now and he never fails to present the finest in The Art of the Classical Guitar. He has just uploaded several performances to YouTube and once you get a taste of the "BOYD MAN", you will remain a life long fan! Check him out:

Thursday December 8th, 1pm
Trinity Church
Wall St & Broadway
(The nexus of the subway system: 2, 3, 4 & 5 to Wall Street; J & M to Broad Street; A & C to Broadway-Nassau; E, C & PATH to World Trade Center; 1, R & N, to Rector Street).

December 8th also marks the 31st anniversary of the death of one of my biggest idols John Lennon, and so is a special and reflective day for music in New York City.

Happy Holidays,
Rupert

ps. for anyone who cannot make it or would like a preview, here is a recently uploaded YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjC21S4COoI&feature=g-upl

http://www.rupertboyd.com

Don MCLEAN and the beauty of song

2011-12-03T05:31:00.000-08:00

I have been going back to my upbringing to secure a new repertoire of song arrangements from the 60s' 70's and have had my heart melted by a couple of songs of Don Mc Clean. ON youtube you can find both very early "Live" performances by Don and also the great PERRY COMO who had a successful Hit with the same song. I just found a version by ELVIS PRESLEY and was surprised by how lovely he sang it also. Of course,as a Guitarist there is a lovely rendition of "MR. GUITAR - CHET ATKINS in both solo and in Duo with DON MCLEAN singing it- again on youtube! What a treasure to experience these great songs and give me room to make a fine tuning of my solo guitar arrngements/improvisations of these masterpieces! Every time I play "VINCENT",I get so many possitive comments. In a few hours (1pm) I will be giveing a concert in Staten Island at the South Beach Public Library and will be playing that gorgeous "VINCENT" for the audience! What a treasure!

THE BRAZIL GUITAR DUO

2011-11-04T23:09:00.000-07:00

YOU TUBE AND THE BRAZIL GUITAR DUO! MY BUDDIES ARE FANTASTIC AND WILL BOWL YOU OVER!@

The Magnificent JORGE CABALLERO

2011-11-04T23:04:00.000-07:00

JUMP ON TO YOU TUBE AND GET THE GUITAR STUN GUN POINTED AT YOU WITH THE MAGNIFICENT ARTISTRY OF MY DEAR COLLEAGUE JORGE CABALLERO! w h e w ! ! ! ! ! !

Part 2 CELIL REFIK KAYA IN CONCERT AT MANNES - OCTOBER 27TH

2011-11-04T21:04:00.000-07:00

CELIL REFIK KAYA,a 20 year young student under the brilliant tutelage of my dear friend,Michael Newman is an International competition winner and just finished a recording of which this Concert was representative of. From the 1st note, I knew I was in for an evening of superior music making.I was familiar with every piece on the program but one small piece by Dilermando Reis (Promessa Waltz). The night was a rainy one and true to form the audience was skimpy and embarrassing with just about 30folks on site to witness someone who will and should ascend the heights of our concert world.Not a word was uttered by this be speckled genius all evening and he had such a gentle and timid bow for the audience but what a mind blowing concert of the highest level on all fronts!

I came in with all my gig gear from a 3 hour gig at the Staten Island Ferry and took my regular seat front row center and was treated to a gourmet musical meal of works by Piazzolla,Reis,Lauro,Ponce,Mangore,Sojo,Brouwer and Morel! Only one encore was offered and I stated from the audience "YOU BETTER GIVE AN ENCORE"!.This young,gentle musical giant reaffirms why I also have spent my life in music since 1954. I was very deeply moved by the total mastery CELIL shared with us.His incredible command of the smallest note articulation was "Breath Taking". His tone was incredibly beautiful and his instrument was a perfect match to his effortless technique. His slightest musical utterance was totally achieved in this wonderful concert. When he attacked the Antonio Lauro Waltzes ( 8 of them ! ),it was as though Alirio Diaz was on stage! I was fortunate to have heard Diaz in concert in 1975 at the Toronto International Guitar Festival! Those of you who have never seen Diaz can catch several of his live performance videos on You Tube and you will witness one of the supreme virtuosos of our time, still active and still kicking monstrous Guitar Butt!. One of the original Guitar "Speed Demons" who simply amazes all who witness his craft. Now getting back to this ferocious TIGER known as CELIL REFIK KAYA,I found every single note of every piece performed to be perfectly weighed and articulated from one of the most fluid technical and musical wonders I have heard on any ANY instrument. The audience contained the cream of the young crop of excellent
MANNES Guitar students in a fine supportive role. I was surprised at all who were NOT in attendance but that was their great loss! This young Artist is in the realm of the "OUT OF SIGHT GENIUS- JORGE CABALLERO". It takes a lot for me to say that because I believe my Sweet Peruvian colleague,JORGE CABALLERO is on another planet of our Classical Guitar World. Again I state that you should break you necks to catch this great young man whenever you can because he is already high in the realm of the "GREAT" performing artists at the tender age of 20!!!!! MARK MY WORDS! THIS KID IS EXCEPTIONALLY SPECIAL!

P.S. He has yet to set up a web site and doesn't have a You Tube Video downloaded but I hope he quickly sets both in motion because he is really someone precious and special. I also appreciated the fact that the audience also knew they were in the concert hall with a GENIUS of great magnitude and kept the hall as quiet as a Church.

Check this Kid out too! CAMILO VERGA 31 Videos

2011-11-04T00:49:00.000-07:00

I am listening now to one of the 31 videos of another fine young player - CAMILO VERGA! Of course another one of many fine talents all over the world that vie for our attention.As I find out more about this new find, I will let you know. Checking for a website now....WHEW! check out his site for his lengthy background : CAMILOVERGA.COM.AR . I was going to copy it over to the blogg but it is too much plus you should do some finger walking yourself! Still listening to him playing and it is extremely musical and his tone and technique are top notch.Nicely sensitive playing! I'm listening to the You Tube video of him playing for Angelo Gilardino.

These Kids Keep Coming/Matt Palmer/GOHAR and Other things!

2011-11-03T23:51:00.000-07:00

I am once again proud to let you know about another great young kid who makes us proud to play this great instrument. His name is MATT PALMER and you should
check out You Tube for his great videos! I've got my hand in several pies right now, trying to give you only the best. It is 2:53 am Friday morning and IO am taping a documentary on THE SEX PISTOLS on Ovation so I can learn about this ground breaking group and I am on the you tube channel once again looking for life on 6 strings! I have more excellent news on GOHAR VARDANYAN to Share with you:

If you go to the MEL BAY Guitar SESSIONS, this young virtuoso has several topics online : June 2011 - Even Tremolo,July 2010- The Importance of Sound, Aug 2010- Performance Preparation, Oct 2010-Practicing Scales and Jan 2010-Arpeggios.

When checking out the above mentioned MATT PALMER, I traced an interview with him (on his website) to a site that is new to me : GUITAR INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE and they had an interview with GOHAR~! I didn't read it yet but know that some juicy tidbits will be waiting for me from this brilliant artist. I have to complete part 2 of my review by that young 20 year whipper snapper CELIL REFIK KAYA who sent me to heaven one week ago - October 27th at The Mannes School of Music!Let me try to finish that for you today if I can wisely divide my time between the projects I have going on- Plus I have a concert in a week that I'm sharpening up my tools for in the Bronx next Saturday - DON WITTER,JR - CLASSICAL GUITAR
When Sat, November 12, 2pm – 3pm

Where MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY (map)

Description:Melrose Public Library
910 Morris Avenue (at E. 162ND St.), Bronx, NY 10451
Saturday, November 12, 2011
2:00 PM / 718-588-0110
SPANISH AND LATIN AMERICAN GUITAR
GRANADOS,TARREGA,BONFA,JOBIM,RIERA.

It feels great to be back in the Guitar world after my operation in March and I had a nice visit to LUTHIER MUSIC CORP (341 west 44Th Street) and my friend TONY ACOSTA! That used to be my great hang out over the decades it has existed. For my visit, I had the place all to myself! If anyone is visiting New York and needs great Guitars,Music,Cd's etc in the Classical,Flamenco and a few other styles- THIS IS THE PLACE! It is a beautiful shop lovingly cared for by Tony and his staff!

I am still working on an all inclusive interview with the fabulous German Virtuoso PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN.I have a couple of fine interviews with her but must check my files for some work I did on her when we 1st met over 6 or 7 years ago.When I find it,I will be so happy to complete my work on this very important artist so enough said or now. Hope you check out the above greats and I will keep searching for you all. I'm kind of spread thinly as I still out and about at least 5 days a week performing while trying to keep up on what is happening in the Guitar World. Always taking lessons from several sources and hope you are doing the same! See ya!

Don

UNDERCOVER NEW YORK-ME ONLINE

2011-10-31T17:33:00.000-07:00

CHECK ME OUT IN UNDERCOVER NEW YORK.

November CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE

2011-10-31T17:10:00.000-07:00

Just received my "PAGES OF GUITAR JOY" the November issue of Classical Guitar Magazine and you see the smiling face of SHARON ISBIN as the review of her new CD is covered by LAWRENCE DEL CASALE on pages 11 thru 16. Superb "LETTER FROM NEW YORK" Chronicler's JULIA CROWE, returns to the pages with her report on the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR which I attended as a full participant this year and will be reporting my personal spin on here in this blog. Julias' report is on pages 52 to 54 and is her usual excellent coverage of this great festival.I think there is a very interesting writeup by THERESE WASSILY SABA on pages 22 thru 29 on WALTER AARON CLARKE, the Biographer of ALBENIZ and GRANADOS.Let me tell you that Classical Guitar Magazine does a great service to our instrument each and every month! There is a MASTERS DEGREE of information contained in these pages every month.I must also point to a most worthwhile series by Guitarist NEIL SMITH "PROGRESSIVE PROGRESSIONS" which is up to entry #13 this month of Novemeber 2011. It deals with the nuts and bolts of music construction and is in itself so powerfull a tool for grasping many aspects of music thery and function. I will be posting some thoughts on this excellent series by Neil hopefully in November because there is so much meat on these bones.I have to share it with you! THAT MAURICE SUMMERFIELD IS A GREAT ONE TO CONSISTENTLY PUBLISH THIS GREAT MAGAZINE!THANKS MAURICE.

GOHAR VARDANYAN IN CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE

2011-10-31T16:55:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my October 18th post,GOHAR VARDANYAN deserves to be better known and my trip to the mailbox backs up my statements of that post. I just received my monthly joyful pages of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE, and after seeing the smiling face of the QUEEN OF PUBLICITY-SHARON ISBIN, in the top left corner is the name of this great young artist. I sat down with a cup of coffee at the local McDonalds to check out installment 19 of the "Making a Living as a Classical Guitarist" series by LAWRENCE DEL CASALE on pages 32/33. He opens up that he was directed to one of her You Tube videos (of which there are several!). For me,there should have been more about this fabulous artist although the aims of this series is to keep it short and pointed. Anyway, I suggest you download all of her You Tube Videos and just enjoy one of the greats of our current or any crop of Classical Guitar Greats.man oh MAN YOU WILL BE ASTONISHED BY THIS ARTIST! I also direct you to check the MEL BAY GUITARSESSIONS for the many fine articles she has authored on vsarious aspects of Guitar Technique and Musicianship over the last few years. ENJOY the DONNIE TIP!

You Tube is A treasure trove!!!!

2011-10-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

I just need to sing the praises of You Tube! There is so much there to feast on! Lessons and Master Classes Galore! There is a wonderful video of JULIAN BREAM and STEPHAN GRAPELLI Playing "NUAGES"! For those of you who don't know it, Bream cut his Guitar teeh on the music of Django Reinhart through his first lessons with his father and Breams favorite companion dog is named "DJANGO". I miss Julians' fantastic playing. On the guitar mailing list which I used to be a member of, I mentioned that Breams' great interpretations lent some to his expertise in Jazz Guitar Playing and someone responded that I was "Full of it". I then told that person to check out that great documentary on Breams life where Bream proudly states that he owes his ability to keep his interpretations fresh because of his Jazz Background! Well, as you know in the Internet world, anyone can spread lies about you and people will believe it. Well I did not mean to get off point. Just thought that I would mention the fact that You Tube has an endless amount of lessons for every type of Guitar you may want to study! I am 61 and still learning tons of stuff from all musical Genres! At this time I am devoting my studies to Chet Atkins,Jerry Reed,Buster B.Jones and Muriel Anderson with some Tommy Emmanuel thrown in! I have always told anyone who would listen that you can augment your Classical Playing by studying other guitar styles! I still believe in this and am proof of the pudding!So jump on You Tube and learn something new today!!!

Check out the current issue of FRETBOARD JOURNAL! It has a great writeup of the fantastic JOHN PIZZARELLI, MURIEL ANDERSON and CHARLIE HUNTER! The overview of Johns' career is excellent! I grew up with Bucky Pizzarelli on the New York Guitar scene when he was in duo with the great GEORGE BARNES. There was the DAVID FROST Interview show that had the duo perform weekly and eventually Bucky had his soon JOHN join him around gigs and I caught them often. JOHN and I (with my dear friend GENE BERTONCINI) share the same birth date APRIL 6th!! Again I say go to YOU TUBE for some great lessons from John and watch his legendary father Bucky burn up the frets! Another fantastic Jazz Artist who lives here in New York is HOWARD ALDEN! Howard is a walking encyclopedia of the Great American Songbook and JAZZ STANDARDS! ON You Tube, he plays with several great artists and you can also get several tastes of his excellent teaching. You should also check out a few of my great teachers on YouTube for both performances and lessons: RICK STONE,JOE DIORIO,PAT MARTINO,RONI BEN HUR,JIM HALL,ROMERO LUBAMBO.I can go on and on about you tube and will in future posts as I am collecting a list of all the people I spend time checking out for hours.I will share names with you which I believe will make your playing hum with greatness. The only hold back will be your inability to spend the time needed to secure that playing prize! You have got to put the time in to achieve the goals you want! There is NO MAGIC PILL!!!!! Also, Don't cry that you don't have time! Concentrate on one topic for ten or so minutes! BUILD THOSE BLOCKS OF KNOWLEDGE! TAKE BITE SIZE CHUNKS AND SWALLOW SLOWLY!!! Have fun with our great instrument! Enjoy the Journey! Speak to you soon!

WOLFGANG LENDLE ON YOU TUBE

2011-10-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

You must make it a point to check out the excellent You Tube Videos of the Fantastic German Virtuoso WOLFGANG LENDLE!!!!! I heard and saw him here in New York for a couple of concerts over 15 years ago and still remember how fantastic he playing was! At that time he was using a superb ROBERT RUCK Classical that was out of this world outragiously fine!! On the current You Tube Videos, I believe he his using a FLETA, which sounds exactly like his RUCK! He is one of our greatest players and it is a shame not enough people know of his greatness! His technique and Musicianship is lawless! Check out those YOU TUBE VIDEOS! Your heads will snap back and his fantastic note articulation and outstanding musicianship! GO WOLFGANG!!!!!!

stunning concert by Celil Rafik Kaya at Mannes - Part One

2011-10-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

Last night, I committed myself to traveling with all my gear after performing at the Staten Island Ferry for 3 1/2 hours and it proved to be a most wise investment in time and attention because I attended a concert at Mannes College of Music by one of the finest young interpreters of music on the Classical Guitar in History - CELIL RAFIK KAYA! This stunning artist grabbed me from the first note! His instrument was magnificent and all evening it expressed exactly what he requested of it! A cedar topped wonder that had me in that front seat center swimming in such an array of magical sounds! This concert was my first step back into my usual concert hopping reporting and as usual, I came from a gig to catch magic on the concert floor! Below I have a transcript from a concert this young genius did In 2009 and as you see, this man doesn't fool around when he comes to play!

Program:
J.S. Bach Prelude, Fugue, Allegro
F. Sor Grand Solo
A. B. Mangore La Catedral (lento,andante religioso,allegro)
Aire de Zamba (from süite andina)
El Ultimo Tremolo (Una Limosnita por Amor de Dios)

Ara

D. Aguado Rondo
M.C. Tedesco Tarantella
Sonate Hommage a Boccherini
(vivo ed energico)
J. Morel Danza Brasilera
A. Lauro Angostura
El Marabino
Seis Por Derecho
M. Theodorakis Epitafios 3 (one day in May)
Epitafios 4 (you have set, my star)
Epitafios 5 (you were standing in front of the window)

Last night's concert was a kind of "Cd Release Party" because it was a duplicate of his recent CD release and it was stunning from beginning to end.What also made this concert so close to my heart was I have worked on all of these pieces a few decades ago and knew all but one waltz by Delirmando Reis (I have the music).I am foaming at the mouth as I relive the great moments of last night's festivities in my mind. This post is just a teaser for you because this great young artist deserves my best foot forward as I try to fully convey just how important the arrival of this young master is for our cherished instrument. The cream of the young Classical Guitarists from Mannes was in attendance to support their colleague in spite of a day and evening full of rain.When I realized that this young kid was playing after my money making gig and knowing how people tend to miss great moments like this because of weather conditions, I decided that I needed to support this kid and follow up my support with the DONNIE SUPPORT SYSTEM=my thoughts as a player and artist myself so here is part one of a two part tribute to a magnificent young artist!

And so I beg forgiveness!

2011-10-26T02:21:00.000-07:00

Life is having a field day with my spirit as I try to get back to some normal frame of living. I have been giving concerts in the Library System here in New York and doing my daily gigs around the City as part of Music Under New York but I have not been attending any concerts nor writing any reviews. Two woefully neglected interviews/reviews is of Pia Gazarek Offermann and Romero Lubambo.I just wanted those of you who check my blog to keep these great artists in front of your minds as they are top notch greats of our instrument and you should rush to catch their performances. So far Pia is not on youtube but I hope that will be rectified soon. Romero has several posts on youtube so you can jump on the site and swim in his great artistry.Put a search in to find out about Pia Gazarek-Offermann as you will find only positive statements about this great artist. Her visit to us here in New York in April was a total triumph as far as snapping heads back and grabbing positive attention for her poetic artistry.I yet have to give her the backing that she deserves and to her dismay,I have been "missing in action". Here I am up at 5:40 and spilling my guts out to you and I have a 4 hour gig in a couple of hours!I'm trying to climb out of a terrible rut and get back to reporting about the Guitar scene here and there and I hope my friends and colleagues can send some positive thoughts my way.I used to be the most optimistic person around but life has been kicking my butt good over the last couple of years and I must say that the thing that keeps me going is the great love my wife gives me and my love of playing this instrument.

Fantastic GOHAR VARDANYAN on YOUTUBE

2011-10-18T23:22:00.000-07:00

Have another great young mind blowing artist to rave about! I met GOHAR VARDANYAN several years ago at LUTHIER MUSIC CORP ( 341 West 44th Street ) when she stopped by the store with her father in order to select a concert guitar. I was checking out the music and from the first notes I hear her play, I loved her Strong round tone and complete mastery of the music and fingerboard W O W !!!!! She played several pieces all with extreme musicality and technical ease! I finally took the time to introduce myself to her and her father and complemented her on her great artistry. I took her name down in one of my pads and vowed to myself to keep an eye out for her. Over the last few years, I saw that great name on some excellent articles detailing several aspects of Classical Guitar technique on the monthly MEL BAY SESSIONS! Got her email and heavily complemented her on her great articles and asked her if she remembered me from the Luthier Music meeting and she did! The last couple of days had me checking out YOUTUBE and her great and A W E S O M E videos! This Woman is even more incredible as the years have honed an already great artist into the S C A R Y category! Her beautiful tone and superlative execution is a great joy to behold and she must be experienced by all who love our great instrument. Please do yourself a great favor and go to YOUTUBE and experience what a supreme virtuoso Artist is! As always, I only hook you up to the best of the best. Sorry I've been out of sight due to heavy work being done on our apartment ( which is still in progress ), but I am so happy that there is such a wealth of great artistry on youtube. It is the new age of self promotion and I will be uploading some of my own playing this winter and hope you will enjoy it. But make sure you check out GOHAR VARDANYAN!!!!!

Another pleasing Guitar on youtube-IGOR PRESNYAKOV

2011-09-23T07:29:00.000-07:00

Go to youtube and check out another excellent Fingerstyle guitarist who has a ton of videos online : IGOR PRESNYAKOV. I just found his videos as I was looking for technical lessons. Very nice arrangements of popular songs! Check him out!

PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN COMING THIS WEEK

2011-09-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

My dear German virtuoso friend PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMAN is in line for the Donnie OVERVIEW this week. This brilliant Classical Guitarist is one of the greats and I want to introduce to her head on with only the most current info.Within the last week we have communicated via e-mail. I have so much to say about her because she deserves recognition for her deep poetic artistry and other than her brilliant husband, I feel it my duty to share this great talent with you all in the Guitar world,so hang in there as I slowy get the job done!

Chops are growing! DONNIE PLAYS!~

2011-09-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

I will be giving and afternoon concert this coming Saturday at the Harlem Branch of the Public Library System. It will be an afternoon of Jazz Standards. The time is 3pm and the location is : 9 West 124th Street. Phone # is 212-348-5620. Hope to see you there. You will get a chance to meet the picture and I always leave my best on the concert floor!

ANIELLO DESIDERIO - A MUST SEE AND HEAR

2011-09-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

YOU must tune into YOUTUBE and check out ANIELLO DESIDERIO, the Italian STallion. This man can play a MEAN GEEETAR! W H E W ! He is one bad dude so clim aboiard the Desiderio Train and take an awesome ride into Guitar Virtuosity land!!!!

Burning up the frets-YAMANDU COSTA

2011-09-19T10:07:00.000-07:00

I had a chance to experience one of the current Guitar Wiz kids YAMANDU COSTA a couple of years ago at the 92nd street "Y" at the Brazilian Guitar Marathon and must admit that the kid is a GUITAR TIGER! Go to you tube and check his videos out!I'm looking at a couple right now.

The Amazing Guitar of Pia Gazarek-Offermann = Part 1

2011-09-12T23:35:00.000-07:00

Over the last few years, I have followed with interest the fantastic rise of an exceptionally gifted artist in the world of the Classical Guitar. Her name is PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN and she deserves to be held close to the top of the list of outstanding artists in the world of the Classical Guitar. Her website is : www.piaoffermann.com. I would suggest you type her name into your search engine and feast on all that has been reported on this oustanding virtuoso so far! She has left an extremely positive trail of magnificent performances at every turn in her travels and needs to be celebrated and cherished with open arms by the Classical Music commnunity.
This is meant to be an opening introduction to you of my experience with this great artist since we first met several years ago so hang on to your information hats. This opening post was meant to be typed and presented to you after I spent time with Pia on her last visit to New York in which she played two fabulous concerts : One for the New York City Classical Guitar Society and another for the Long Island Guitar Festival. Both concerts exposed the audiences to and exceptional artist of both technical facility and musical genius. At this writing, I must apologize to my readers and Pia for the tardiness of this post but I have had to deal with several curves from the game of life most upsetting being quadruple bypass surgery this past March 21st. Before that were a few other "nasties" that derailed all my positive intentions and of course, time waits for no one. I also believe so much in Pia,that I wanted to put the best and most complete representation of her in print so here I am having just received an e-mail from her.

My first meeting of Pia was at The Yale Guitar Extravaganza in 2006 where she demonstrated aspects of her husbands' excellent lecture on THE INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO GUITAR TECHNIQUE .Our next meeting was in 2007 here in Brooklyn, New York at Brooklyn College thanks to The Excellent Classical Guitar Department led by LARS FRANDSEN. At that meeting she both demonstrated aspects of her husbands' lecture and gave a concert afterwards! As I mentioned at the top of this post, this is just a little background for you to tell you how and when I hooked up with this great artist and I hope I don't make her blush too much as I shower her with praise. She deserves it and you know I'm not the bashful type. With the financial suffering around the world and shortage of funds, I still hope that this quality artist can draw the financial support of smart people who want only the best artists for their concert series,to the door of PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN! She is a W I N N E R !!! End of part 1! More to follow!

THE FABULOUS ANA VIDOVIC

2011-09-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

I was just sniffing around youtube and caught Pepe Romero talking about the Carcassi studies and somehow caught myself wondering how many videos my special friend ANA VIDOVIC had at the site and see that she has quite a few! I have known Ana for quite a few years now and she is one of the greatest virtuosos in musical history possessed of a stunning technique,warm and wonderful tone and superior musicianship. On top of that, you must add a sweet and charming personality coupled with a generous and open heart. I suggest you rush to the youtube and feast on her fantastic artistry and you will see that DONNIE tells the truth. She has earned her top place in the world of music and the Classical Guitar world through a lifetime of hard work and loving devotion to her noble instrument! LONG LIVE ANA VIDOVIC!!!!!

JASON VIEAUX - CATCH HIM

2011-08-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

Jump on YOUTUBE and catch the playing and lectures of my colleague and buddy, the great young virtuoso JASON VIEAUX!!!! One of the most articulate young talents of our generation! His recordings and live performances are not to be missed! If he is in your neighborhood, you must scurry to catch him! Beatiful tone and musicianship plus a winning softness of heart!

Virtuoso to be better known! GOHAR VARDANYAN

2011-08-29T10:39:00.001-07:00

A great young virtuoso by the name of GOHAR VARDANYAN has been on the scene for a few years and should be better known. I first net her here in New York at LUTHIER MUSIC CORPORATION ( 344 West 44th Street ) as she stopped by with her father in order to select a concert instrument. I stood right accross from the " High End Guitar room" and heard some of the most beautiful sounds coming from any guitar she tried out! Beautiful tone,exceptional clarity of articulation and technique to burn! I finally introduced myself and had a ton of praise to heap on her. Since I get my monthly issue of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE from England, I was hoping to keep abreast of her progress.Over the last couple of years, GOHAR has been writing some very useful articles in the Online Mel BAY Guitar Sessions. Creating good sound,Tremolo Technique and other aspects of playing well! I would again lead you to that great source of live performances YOUTUBE and check out her magnificent playing! W O W !!!!!!!

YOUTUBE AND YOUR NEW LESSONS

2011-08-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

I am a subscriber to CHAMBER MUSIC MAGAZINE and in the recent issue, they tutor us on working with our career in the New Internet Age and talk about the Masterclasses that can be found on the Internet-Specifically YOUTUBE- so I have been spending more time the last few nights, on this noble pursuit and have been rewarded with some great stuff! What I particularly enjoy is the old videos of the great masters of the past! Alirio Diaz,Jorge Cardoso,Athualpa Yupanqui, Eduardo Falu and so many. As far as Masterclasses, You should jump at the chance to experience the JULIAN BREAM MASTERCLASSES! What a treasure trove of great info from my SUPREME BREAM! You should not forget the playing of the great ABEL CARLEVARRO! Another treasure to behold! Well,this is just meant to be a prod for you to take advantage of all the great information available on the web. As I am preparing several concerts for the Fall, it is great to get the performances of the actual composers playing their works for me to deliver the most accurate portrayal of their works in concert! I particularly treasure the performances of the Great Argentine Virtuoso ATAHUALPA YUPANQUI. I was at Carnegie Hall when this great genius made his American debut and what a virtuosic performance he gave at the age of 75! The complicated rasgueados and tender renditions were"OFF THE HOOK"! So go and mine the treasure troves of the net! You will be rewarded with a ton of jewels!

The Magnificent JORGE CABALLERO

2011-08-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

I have been fortunate to be based here in New York because we get a chance to witness greatness every day as celebrated artist feel it necessary to have that great "NEW YORK DEBUT" on their resumes. JORGE CABALLERO should be at the top of the greatest list of Classical Guitarists in History because it is a fact! I first met JORGE in a masterclass of the equally fabulous ASSAD BROTHERS, the foremost Classical Guitar Duo in the world! JORGE played a composition by Bach I I wrote down in my notes: "There is nothing negative the brothers could say about him! He has a great tone, excellent technique and even his ornaments in the repeats are crisp and firm! THIS KID CAN PLAY!!!! When the ASSAD brothers delivered their comments to the lucky audience in the small room, They repeated my above comments ending in stating that they are honored if he would mention that he played in their Masterclass. JORGE continues to draw waves of admirers around the world! I most recently caught him in Masterclass mode at the beginning of July at the Mannes Guitar Seminar and was lucky that the day I caught his masterclass, he gave an exceptionally crisp and detailed exposition on the basis of attaining a clean guitar technique. I know that some of the young guns in attendance,wanted to get down to playing their pieces but I hope they understood that they were given the "keys to the kingdom" of how to execute music on the Classical Guitar. Quite a few year ago, I was in heaven at the LUTHIER MUSIC CORPORATION ( 341 West 44th Street ) when one afternoon, I got a chance to experience this fantastic artist for over one half hour, as he played on and on on a Magnificent JOHN PRICE Guitar. JORGE was in the process of celecting a new instrument for his concert work and he just "TORE IT UP"! It was a shame that no one else was there except for me and the slight staff! Another thing that continues to strike me is the wonderful sweetness of this Great Peruvian Giant of our great instrument! He is so damn modest and unassuming! He continues to throw off the most difficult repertoire with the ease of a stroll through the park! I would press you extremely to run to any concert JORGE CABALLERO gives . You will never be disappointed and will witness one of the greatest musicians in Music History! MARK MY WORDS!!!!!!

The Mannes Guitar Seminar July 5-10 2011

2011-07-14T04:15:00.000-07:00

I will be reporting on the fabulous 2011 Mannes Guitar Seminar over the next few weeks on my blogg here and various sites on the internet. As an active artist on the New York Classical and Jazz Guitar Scene since 1963, these reports will mark my return to my craft of reporting since my open heart surgery this past March 21st. The seminar had some of my dearest friends from the Classical Guitar scene in New York including one of the greatest Guitarists on the planet : FREDERIC HAND. Fred and I attended Mannes in 1968 and we were able to spend some quality moments reliving special events in that year including a visit from legendary Virtuoso ARTHUR RUBENSTEIN!

The artistic directors,MICHAEL NEWMAN and LAURA OLTMAN, delivered another flawless series of Concerts and workshops in the most positive setting and I will take my time in reporting on the wonderful events. This year I came in as a full participant only side stepping my 2 master classes as I am preparing for some non Classical Gigs and needed my head clear of a Master Class Head! I did participate in a guitar ensemble with some outstanding young kids who should go far in the Classical Guitar world. It contained an exceptional Guitar Duo who I will report on soon! We actually had a great time in our sessions together and I wish we had more to play.

I look forward to sharing this great festival with you as it was TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!!

Back in the Saddle again.

2011-06-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

My recovery has been going ok and I returned to performances on Monday June 6 by performing at "THE TASTE OF TIMES SQUARE" Celebration.I performed from 5 to 9 pm right at the beginning of the event. The following week I returned to my regular job at "MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK",limiting myself to every other day in short traveling distance. I will be attending and reporting on the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR both here on my blogg and hopefully for one of the Guitar Periodicals. I'm trying to give a day by day overview and hope I have enough energy to do a fine job. I have covered several seminars in the past and know that it will take all of my guts and energy to write my report in the way that I want to, so let's hope for the best. I would hope that the readers get a chance to attend some of the events because there are great classes and concerts by some great players.Go to the Seminar website for more information (www.mannes.edu/guitar or call 212.580.0210 x4883).There are 3 artists who I highly recommend you run to their concerts: JORGE CABALLERRO,RENE IZQUIERDA & SONIA HERNANDEZ. These 3 kids are really SUPER! JORGE is one of the greats even at his young age. He is in a class by himself! RENE is no slouch either! His name should be better known because he is great. SONIA HERNANDEZ is another young genius. At least a decade ago I actually attended her New York Debut at Weill Recital Hall and interviewed her on tape. I know I have that tape here somewhere! I have to get up to speed on some of the other artists. The professors MICHAEL NEWMAN and LAURA OLTMAN I have known for most of their life! I was at Michaels first public performance when he was 13 held at a Church on 13th Street off of 6th avenue! At that time, he was the most advanced student of the Great ALBERT VALDES-BLAIN ( and so was I for a couple of lessons!). Because of his slight build and massive virtuoso chops, he scared the crap out of the Classical Guitar crowd! I also Attended the 1st Masterclass Given by JACK DUARTE,Guitarst and better known as composer. That year - I believe 1973, at the now defunct GUITAR WORKSHOP in Oyster Bay Long Island, Michael stunned all in attendance with his Masterful performances. His sharp wit was mistaken for some as Smart alec arrogance! I knew better because there was Mike with pad and pencil, taking down every single comment made by both Duarte and I believe Jerry Willard. I even met his sweet wife LAURA OLTMAN when they 1st started dating before getting married! I would direct you to their website to find out more about this great performance and organizing team - WWW.GUITARDUO.COM ! They are both gems of Artistry and humanity as witnessed by me last year when I covered the Guitar Festival of the CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY OF UPSTATE NEW YORK! They were on hand to support three of their sudents who were in a special "HONORS STUDENT RECITAL"! I was seated in my usual front row seat when they came in and uttered "DON! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE"! I repeated the same words to which they replied" We came to support our students"! That loving care made my heart melt.At the end of that concert, we all hung out on main street at a nice Chinese Restaurant and walked their students to the bus stop and hugged them good bye! I love these two extraordinary people and the quality of this Seminar is the highest you can achieve because of these superlative human beings. Their supporting staff is also excellent in each and every way and has always given their all to do one hell of a great job so I hope you can get to some of the concerts or workshops. This years' topic is "HANDS ON" which will concentrate on how to get those hands of yours in top shape for playing out great instrument. Speak to you soon. By the way, if you see any misprints in this post, blame it on my opthamologist. I just came back from a series of Dye Injected eye pictures so my sight is not all there but I wanted to let you know I'm up and around.Hope this isn't rambling too much as I am having fun assembling these random thoughts as I look forward to reporting on more guitar topics. Hope you keep learning out there and I want to thank all of you how have sent wonderfull cards, called and e-mailed me during this recovery period PLUS ABOVE ALL- My great wife has really nutured me in every way especially with her totally outrageously fine culinary expertise! I really hit the jackpot finding this woman to be my mate in life. I can never really repay her for all she has done for me and with me.THANK YOU HONEY!

Quadruple bypass and Me

2011-04-25T21:53:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I underwent Quadruple Bypass Surgery and am now in recovery. The operation went well and per my Cardiologist and Surgeon, my progress is great. It's so wierd not to be able to run around town to my gigs and having to walk so slowly during this recovery period only around the neighborhood but I see this as a new lease on life. My wife Heidi has been outstanding in helping me cope with the ups and downs of this ordeal and I owe her a tremendous dept of gratitude and I tell her every day- especially when I have a depressed period and snap at her. I should be back in the playing gigs form in another 2 or so months. Until then I have to walk and get this body used to the new veins pumping that blood around the body. I thank my dear friends Sue Wall,Dennis Koster, Jerry Willard and Gene Bertoncini plus my dear 1st Guitar teacher Dennis Turecheck for staying in touch with me plus all my dear comrades at MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK for some special get well cards. I want to get back to some posting of Guitar thoughts as I must take it easy so I hope that will get underway to lift my spirits!

I can't believe how time just zips by!

2010-11-29T17:39:00.000-08:00

I'm still here! It is already the end of November and I am still out there playing my butt off. I have been studying like a monster but have not been up to blogging since my last input. I have so much to tell you but am in the realm of " Does anyone really want to hear this stuff?". It seems that I was asked to join a special site to share my writings. That was nice to see and maybe that will prod my desire to share. I don't have the time now but will try again to get myself on track with this blog and others on the web. Pia Gazarek-Offermann is awaiting some continuation of my coverage of her brilliant career. I have not been getting out to many concerts as I try to finally get to the best of my playing. There is awlays so much to learn and I am trying to curb my stupendous appetite for catching up with my teaching videos. There are so many nights when, while my sweet wife sleeps, I am hunched over my guitar in front of my tv trying to teach myself yet another guitar technique! I just want to cram all of these great guitar lessons down my throat! Alas,there is no magic pill that will speed up the process. I have gotta put the time in but am having the time of my life learning so much guitar! Anyway, time to take a break from the meat of tonight's work! I will see how it turns out and hope that you folks are applying yourselves to the best guitar tasks you can! See you soon right here on my blog.

DONNIE AT FALL GUITAR FESTIVAL WITH BEN VERDERY

2010-10-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

My last blogg left you expecting a review of the Great Ben Verdery concert.I was undecided about attending the Fall Guitar Festival October 2/3 which would feature Ben as guest artist and decided after his Rubin Museum Concert that I would attend. You will be getting a mouthful from me about the Fall Guitar Festival presented by the Classical Guitar Society of Upstate New York! It was P H E N O M I N A L !!!!!!
There were so many great young virtuosos and a couple of seriously outstanding Classical Guitar Luthiers!! This Festival has been my darling love for the last 10 years. I have attended 8 out of the 10 years because it is a pure love of the instrument that the people in this neck of the woods have and my first Classical Guitar teacher,DENNIS TURECHECK has led the Society to great hights over his tenure.He is retiring as President of the Society,so with that,the 10th anniversary and Benjamin Verdery my lost twin brother,you know I had to be there!!!! I look forward to sharing all the great stuff that occured this weekend. I also have not forgotten about my dear German Friend PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN,so it looks like the crazy man will have his job cut out for him.Thank you all for your patience with me.

Time Flys!

2010-09-26T23:59:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that my last post was July 28th. Just to let you know I have been working on my post of the Great German Guitarist,Pia Gazarek-Offermann. We have exchanged e-mails recently as I am beginning to firm up the content of my review. There are many angles I am looking at and I only want the best of my ideas to grace this blog. Just to let you know that I am still playing around town as part of Music Under New York. I have just started my "60th BIRTHDAY CONCERT TOUR" of the Public Library System and for the next year will continue to spread these concerts out over hopefully all 5 boros of New York!

Last night Sunday,September 26th, BEN VERDERY gave one hell of a great Concert at the RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART in Manhatten.I will post a review either later today or tomorrow.I have known Ben since the mid 70's. This man is a genius in every which way and we must be proud that he is using our great instrument to strut his stuff!!! At 55 he continues to show us the way in so many areas. He is one of the greatest instrumentalists in HISTORY! What a creative composer!He has such a wonderful sense of humor.I was in my usual seat right under him,front row center and just ATE IT UP!!! This was the 1st concert in which I did not write notes. I just enjoyed watching him work that 2002/2003 Greg Smallman and Sons Cedar Topped Guitar. He let me taste it just after he received it in 2002 and it was a JEWEL! Easy to play no matter what you had to do! When you have a Guitar like this, you can have the whole gamut of musical expression ready at your fingertips and Ben surely showed us this facility all evening! It didn't matter if he had to make a super pianissimo or a spine shaking rasgueado, the guitar said "NO SWEAT"!.I thoroughly enjoyed just watching those hands work their magic with the music! Shadings,colors,apt tempos- everything was top notch! Ben has so many pots cooking on his musical stove all of the time that it is amazing that he has time to sleep and eat plus be a parent and husband! Several decades ago, Ben distinguished himself as a great interpreter of BACH and started his Concert tonight with the 6th Cello Suite. What a glorious performance he gave especially of the Sarabande which was so deep and moving.I was honored to be a part of the audience as this Concert was especially prepared to reflect the content of the present exhibition. I will get more into this when I deliver the review later. Any Benjamin Verdery performance is worth breaking your neck to get to,so don't ever miss him!!!!. Speak to you in a few.

Yes I AM STILL HERE!

2010-07-28T00:49:00.000-07:00

That is what I am asking myself these days. I last left you promising to get back to you about the wonderful performances of two exceptional artists: PIA GAZAREK - OFFERMANN AND ANA VIDOVIC! My dear Pia has been anxious to check out my review of her great performances at The New York Classical Guitar Society and The Long Island Guitar Festival. Let me say that it was a rare treat to hear such an incredibly sensitive artist share her immense and deep musicality with us. Her encore of a simple Etude by Fernando Sor transported us into another world as inner voices fluttered like the wings of gentle butterflys! Her masterful performances left all saying "WHY HAVE WE NOT HEARD ABOUT HER"! Her ascent into the limelight has been delayed due to familial obligations setting her career back several times.She now is going full speed ahead and alarming all who hear her because her mastery of both Music and Guitar,will leave you so touched and moved that you will crave more and more. I am presently working on the review of her concerts and will offer you a great glimpse into the mind of a very, very special artist!

ANA VIDOVIC has taken the Classical Guitar world by storm over the last several
years! She is an incredibly gifted artist in every way and what an incredibly beautiful and thoughtful person! I have been lucky to have known her for several years and I even had the care free nerve to ask her to marry me during a concert for the Upstate Classical Guitar Society a couple of years ago! ( I was of course joking but that comment mirroed the thoughts of all the guitar playing/loving males in the room!).Those of you who know me know that I never hold back my thoughts about people who touch me deeply! ANA VIDOVIC deserves every single accolade she has received because it is all true! Take, for instance,her performance at the Long Island Guitar Festival! After completely sending us to heaven with her fantastic concert, she asked the audience "What would you like to hear?". I didn't need to attend her Sunday Masterclass as I have been to a couple over the years and know that she has a gentle and loving way with her students. This woman also has a stage aura that just glows. Every gown I have seen her in has been so beautiful and she looks model perfect in them all! Her beauty is natural and I told her a couple of times over the years that she doesn't need any makeup at all! Let me tell you that she always serves the main intention of each composition she plays. She will not play anything she does not love just to fill out a program. I will relay to you that when she played a concert here in New York a year or so ago , she chose to play some Tarrega because she loves his works. I heard that some people walked out of her concert exclaiming that it was beneath her to play such trivial pieces! I am glad I was not at that concert because I would have given them a piece of my mind. At this time, Dear Ana is incredibly popular because she has it all: Fantastic Viruosity,Top Shelf Musicianship,Great Beauty and Darling personality. I've told her that I hope she never changes because she is such a lovely person and great example of a great artist and warm human being! I am glad she has been a part of my life over the past few years and I hope to continue our friendship till I kick the bucket!

Let me end this post by getting back to you about PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN.She will cast a spell on you when you get a chance to experience her mind blowing depth of artistry. This wonderful artist and beautiful human being, will have you travel to every nook and cranie of the musical world.I will be doing my best to have her better known by you all over the next year or so. I have taken my time to write about her because I am trying to figure out what is the best way to open you into her magnificent musical aura! I interviewed her a couple of times during her one week stay here in New York and have so much material that I am slapping my head to make sense of it all.I want to do her justice because she is one of our Classical Guitar World's great treasures! Mark my words: "WE ARE IN THE COMPANY OF GREATNESS IN THE PERSON OF PIA GAZAREK OFFERMANN!". Here I am at 4:36 am Wednesday morning tearing up my keyboard feeling good once again about this wonderful and facinating world of the Classical Guitar. I will not give you a timeline on the final post of the concert reviews of these two exceptional artists as I can't trust myself these days as I drift in and out of depression about the world situations. There is so much that has made me so sad and depressed about the Wars,Oil Spill,Haiti,New Orleans, our so called Leaders and generally people killing and harming each other. I will tell you that at times I feel like ending it all so I don't have to witness yet another bad thing that bumans do to each other, the animals, the earth!! What keeps me from not taking that terrible step is the sanity of MUSIC and the deep and enduring love of my lovely wife! When I yet leave my house for another gig-especially when I really would rather lie in bed and feel sad,I get immediate feedback when I touch the strings of my instrument and do my best to conquer this negative world of ours! On my darkest days, someone always take a second or two to let me know that my music making matters. Being 60 may have a little to do with it in that I have not truly made the mark I want to make in my music,so am in the mist of finally being all that I "Should have been"! Stay tuned because my best is yet to come!! Till next post, may you all keep the child-like wonder for this instrument alive and growing.

I'm still Around!

2010-05-03T14:56:00.000-07:00

It is already the beginning of May! I can't believe that I have been dormant for so long! As I believed I mentioned a while back, I have been looking at my Guitar life and have not been happy at what I have surveyed as I just turned 60 in April ( 6th ). By not being happy, I mean to say that I have been supporting so many of my friends and colleagues by attending their concerts and Festivals and workshops and gigs and neglecting my own career so it is time to concentrate on MY PLAYING! I have been on the Guitar scene since the early 60's playing my butt off starting as a Folk singing Guitarist then getting into the Classical Guitar thanks to Andres Segovia. I had a chance to thank Segovia during an intermission of Michael Lorimer's Debut concert here in New York a few decades ago. I told the Maestro how he converted me from the Classical Piano to the Classical Guitar. He said " MOOWEE BIEN ME AMIGO!YOU CHANGE FROM THEE PIANO TO THEE GEETARRR" MUY BIEN!!
Of course I looked around and people were all pointing to him but no one had the balls to just walk up and say Hello! After all, he is a human being and he doesn't walk on water! Although it was he who introduced me to the lovely world of the Classical Guitar, Julian Bream showed me the most extreme use of tone color which transported me to the land of the Sound Gods! I really miss Julian because he always left his musical guts on the stage when he performed. I always looked forward to what ever instrument he would be performing on as he would make a shoe box with strings sound the the most glorious sounds in heaven!

I have been fortunate to have studied with just about all of the finest I have wanted to study with in my life. I just gave a really nice performance ths past Saturday May 1st , at the public
Library Branch in New Dorp Staten Island. At this time I have no other library Gigs set up as I am trying to work on many new things! I know of so many wonderful works for the Guitar that are being ignored and I will devote the rest of my life on the Guitar bringing forth these gems in my concerts.

Recently, I attended two superb concerts by two outstanding female artists : ANA VIDOVIC and PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN. My next post will share the details of these great artists. Those concerts have re-awakened my desire to start up my blog again as they struck me deeply with the depth and beauty of their artistry. Of course, ANA VIDOVIC is on the front burner of the Classical Guitar world due to her great beauty and totally fantastic playing. have followed her for several years now and am proud to call her a friend. She is also one of the finest and sweetest people on the planet! She is totally gracious and warm and giving to the public. She has taken some pot shots from some people because she plays things that she likes and when she plays things like Tarrega , there was some grumbling and I heard some people walked. That is their loss because this young woman is totally comitted to each and every work that goes through her hands! I love her dearly! When she gave her concert recently at the Long Island Guitar Festival, she had the audacity to aks the audience what they wanted to hear! What spunk and graciousness! She has an aura of an exceptional ARTIST and extremely warm human bing! You just want to jump on the stage and hug her! As a matter of fact a few years ago whcn she was the guest artist at the Classical Guitar Society of Upstate New York , I shouted from the audience " WILL YOU MARRY ME"! This was after she totally melted the audience with her towering virtuosity and sweet stage presence! She must be seen in person even though there is a Concert video of her by Mel Bay available! She is also a exceptionally gifted teacher who knows how to encourage her students with gentility and clarity. More about my dear ANA in the concert post.

PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN is another totally phenominally gifted ARTIST who should be up there foremost in the minds of Classical Guitar community because she is one of our greatest living Guitarists but the least known for various reasons! I have been a colleague and friend of hers for a few years now 1st meeting her and her equally great husband THOMAS OFFERMANN at the Yale School a several years ago and then again here in Brooklyn when she was presented by my dear buddy LARS FRANDSEN at Brooklyn College! I was instrumental in securing her for the New York Classical Guitar Society "Second Sunday Concert Series" . She was already contracted to perform at the same Long Island Classical Guitar Festival as ANA VIDOVIC. PIAS' playing is both poetic and deep. Due to familial obligations, her rise to the top of the Classical Guitar world has been held up but once you hear this exceptional artistry, you will be knocked off of your ignorance seat! This woman is so incredible no matter what she touches! Her tone is all that great tone can be! Technique to give away! A great interpreter in the highest realms! I will give you more of the details in the coming blogg of her two excellent performances. I was also lucky to hang with Pia for a few hours during her New York stay and mark my words- You will be hearing quite a bit about this outstanding artist in our near future because I am devoting much energy to making sure she is better known in our Classical Guitar Community. Stay tuned Folks! Glad to be back!~

Donnie Witter

Back to posting after illness

2010-02-07T00:15:00.000-08:00

Hi folks! I am attempting to get back into the swing of things after a very wierd 2009 in which I had a stent put into a vein due to 95% blockage and had also to deal with treatments for prostate cancer. This human body is a great invention but when things go wrong, it is always great to be able to catch it early in the stage.
Since this is my first post of 2010, I felt I should lead off with the reasons for no posts. I have been on the Classical and Jazz Guitar scene since the mid-60's going to workshops,masterclasses,lessons,Concerts like a madman! In 2008 an incident with the Classical Guitar Society of New York broke my heart so I decided to withdraw from the Guitar scene and concentrate on my own development which I have abdicated for decades in order to support my colleagues by attending their concerts and gigs around town. I will be 60 in April and find that I am playing better then ever because I have been using my private library to finally work with the great lessons I have collected over the decades. I am like a little child in a candy store because I am learning so many juicy things about playing this great instrument. Even on the web there is an enormous amount of great lessons for anything you may want to learn. Each of the major Guitar magazines have a site full of videos and lessons so the only thing stopping you is your laziness! As I return to this blogg, I intend to share what I have gathered in order to help you folks get into playing this great instrument. To those of you who know me, I remain a guitar lover of 1st rank. I'm getting back to hitting the workouts so I can live longer in order to accomplish my set goals for Guitar Mastery.
I am in my 14th year as a performing musician of the MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK program sponsored by the New York City Transit Authority and am proud of this achievement. I play year round in the Subway System and other public venues. I don't care what the weather is doing, rain,snow,sun, I make my gigs and am happy to show people what this great instrument can do with its' 6 strings! Even though we are in bad shape economically,I and my fellow artists in the program continue to move forward to add to the positive side of life by sharing our talent with the world. I have been fortunate to have studied with some of the greatest artists in the Guitar world, Classical,Jazz and otherwise.This year I hope to finally update my website which is woefully behind in current information about my most recent exploits. I must take a moment to publically hug my dear wife and life partner Heidi for putting up with me all this years! Especially through thick and thin, we remain in love with each other and I have many times told her how I don't deserve her. This woman is an incredible human being and would hope that you folks out there can be as lucky as I am to share your life with someone so special. Our body shapes have changed over the years but our devotion to each other remains as strong as when we first fell for each other!
Hope this is not too much rambling on. I know that at this point in my life, I want to accomplish all the things I have suspended by supporting my colleagues in their careers. Well as I listen to one of my favorite musicians - RALPH TOWNER who is 70 this year, I am stunned that I was a teenager following Ralph and his group OREGON ( which is 40 years old ! ). To know that I am as old as I am with so many great positive experiences under my life belt, I crave a future of more joyful ones. This coming Saturday, I will be giving a special Valentine's Day concert at the South Beach Branch of the Public Library System in Staten Island. It is a new program and I will be playing my butt off. It starts a 2pm and will be several sweet works to usher in the following days' celebration. See you there! Glad to be back in blogging service!

There is GOLD on the Newstand! Part 1

2009-02-04T19:41:00.000-08:00

I would say there is a wise investment if you look at the newstand for learning material. Over the last year or so I have been feasting on the special dvd/magazine output of some of the Guitar Magazines and will followup this mini-post with the delicious details of my great finds! Some of the great Guitar Virtuosos have been plucked from the pages of some of the leading Guitar Magazines to give you a look into their Guitar houses and let me tell you it is a great feast! I have been learning some great stuff in the area of Shred,Rock and Blues Guitar that has snapped my had back as I watch these 58 year young(soon to be 59)fingers grow extra limbs! This old dog is always learning new tricks and having a ball! There is so much more I want to do on thsi instrument and the time is NOW!!! I'll grab some of my jewels and post in a few!

Donnie

CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE!

2009-02-04T19:02:00.000-08:00

In order to stay on top of what is happening in the Classical Guitar World, I anxiously await my monthly copy of Classical Guitar Magazine from England. For the last year or more, we have been honored to see that great magazine on the Barnes and Noble magazine stand and it is also featured in the Linclon Center Reference Library!We,here in New York get an added attraction by having the wide New York Guitar Scene covered by Guitarist/Writer/Composer JULIA CROWE(www.juliacrowe.com)in her monthly column "LETTER FROM NEW YORK". Julia does an excellent job of covering so many diverse Guitar gatherings with such an excellent use of the English Language.Her expertise is very wide ranging as she writes for several Music magazines and I always look forward to her next bit of coverage.We would meet at many of the same events over the last few years and I am so proud at how she covers the beat! It was I who suggested to Maurice that I would love top be the New York reporter as I would cover just about anything having to do with Classical and Jazz Guitar as I have been doing on my own since the 60's.Julia was the perfect choice as the magazine really needed someone with an exceptional command of the English Language. My strong points is a good dose of reality and a view from one who is on the main line performing just about every day of the week in public as a Musician in the "MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK" program sponsored by the New York City Transit Authority.I can get into some gritty reporting but there had to be someone who could meet those deadlines and I usually had too much going on to meet that task so in came the great Julia to add an important addition to this great magazine.

Anyway,(that is the title of the GREAT DVD by Guitarist/Composer/Arranger/Conductor and dear friend ROLAND DYENS) this excellent magazine published by my friend MAURICE SUMMERFIELD hits the mark each month if you are keenly interested in what is happening world wide with our great instrument. I want to do justice to this great publication by writing a followup post about the last few months because you need to really taste the excellent coverage in the pages of my favorite magazine so stay tuned to the Donnie line. I just wanted to touch base with you as I have been neglectful of this little blog and need to get myself back on track. MAURICE SUMMERFIELD should be hugged by us all for delivering such an important magazine to us! THANKS MAURICE AND MAY YOU CONTINUE FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 20 YEARS!!!!

February Downbeat and 75 Guitarists!

2009-01-20T02:01:00.000-08:00

Last night I picked up the February issue of DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE with Wes Montgomery on the cover as they have a listing of the 75 most influential Guitarists. Inside it also has a nice copy of Ken Hatfield explaining his 17th Etude taken from his recently published collection of 24 Etudes in all the Major and Minor Keys. He showed me the copy when I attended a private concert by Barbosa Lima and Berta Rojas last year.Ken Hatfield is an outstanding artist who plays every Thursday Night at a restaurant = "FETCH" in Manhattan.WWW.KENHATFIELD.COM is his website for more info! There was also a nice one page lesson by the great MARK ELF.Great thoughts to chew on!

Don

The GREAT ROLAND DYENS DOES BRAZIL!!

2009-01-18T03:25:00.000-08:00

Hello Don,

I'm Russ De Angelo, Roland Dyens' North American Manager. He has told me a little about you and I look forward to meeting you some day.

I'm also a classical guitarist but only and intermediate level. I attended classical guitar classes at USC in LA for two years before moving to the beautiful coast of Central California.

Since you know Roland's work so well, let me tell you about Roland's latest project:
About 6 months ago, he began transcribing the music of the Brazilian musician known as Pixinguinha (1898-1973.) He participated at a prestigious guitar festival in Brazil on October 3rd where he performed the World Premier of these 11 beautiful pieces.

A week later Roland went to San Francisco to record his latest CD. The CD will be released in the next 60 days on the Guitar Solo Publications Label. GSP is also publishing the music scores which will be available when the CD is released.
I am currently promoting this CD and music. Would you be able to help us in some way to get the word out?

Here is a "Concert Program" that I wrote and used for Roland's recent concerts (yes, he actually almost has a set program - of course he'll start with an improv and announce his program from the stage and play some of his "standards," too.)

(I'm attaching my latest Press Release, too. Let me know what you think about all this and if you can help us.)

A Tribute to Pixinguinha

(b. Alfredo da Rocha Vianna Jr. 1898 - d. 1973)

The Genius of Brazilian Popular Music

During Roland Dyens' 2009 concerts, he will perform selections of his arrangements of the music of the Brazilian musician known as Pixinguinha (pronounced, “Pish-En-GUI-Nia”)

Pixinguinha, which translates as “Good little boy,” was a flute virtuoso, pianist and saxophonist. He has been called “The Cole Porter of Brazil” and he is recognized as “The Father of the Chôro.” He is an icon of Brazilian music and his music is enthusiastically played by all musicians in South America.

Dyens performed the World Premier of these arrangements on October 4, 2008 at the Great Theatre of the Arts House in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. A week later, they were recorded in San Francisco (USA) on the Guitar Solo Publications Label. The music scores will also be published and available when the CD is released in Feb/Mar, 2009. (gspguitar.com)

CONCERT PROGRAM

Roland Dyens always starts his concerts with an improvisational piece. He will announce his program from the stage. In no particular order, the Pixinguinha pieces he may play are:

Atencioso - (attentive toward someone) - Choro
Carinhoso - (Sweetheart) - Choro Cancao

Desprezado - (a depreciated, undervalued person) - Choro Cancao

Gargalhada - (Hoot of Laughter) - Scottish

Ingênuo - (Naïve) - Choro Cancao

Lamentos - (Laments) - Choro

Naquele Tempo- (In those Times) - Choro Serenata

Oscarina - (slow waltz)

Proezas de Sólon - (Sólon’s Feat) - Choro

Rosa - (slow waltz)
Um a Zero - (One to zero) - This is said to be the final score of a historic soccer match many years ago in Rio de Janerio - Choro Vivo

Roland Dyens plays a Daryl Perry guitar and recommends Savarez strings

Russ De Angelo
North American Management for Roland Dyens: www.rolanddyens.com
PO Box 2308
Pismo Beach, CA 93448-2308
(rddeangelo@aol.com) 805-474-1777

Pat "THE KID" Martino at Birdland Saturday 1/17/09

2009-01-18T02:35:00.000-08:00

My dear teacher and super Virtuoso Guitarist and Composer PAT MARTINO,spent several days at the best place in New York to have a nice meal and experience the best in Jazz - BIRDLAND. In my blog,I earlier reported on the interview The Jazz Museum in Harlem conducted on January 8th with Pat. I was fortunate to have studied with Pat in the 70's. I would travel right after work to his home and try to grapple with this
great instrument and Pat would hand write out my lessons which I still have.I decided to check out the 8:30 performance. I arrived at 7:30 in order to get a good seat at the bar and proceeded to have a wonderful meal with a couple of beers. I had along my copy of "Considering Genius"/ Writings on Jazz by the great Stanley Crouch to keep me company on my tran ride back and forth.Just as I sat down, I saw Pat in conversation at the end of the bar near the dressing room and swung by to say hello. As soon as he saw me he extended his hand and gave me a warm hug and kiss as I apologized to the couple he was in conversation with.My dear teacher is one of the most important people in my life and we have remained in contact over all these decades. Pat is such a warm and caring human being who always extends himself to the vast array of people who come by to check him out. After his conversation with the couple terminated, he was so kind to walk up to me and spend a few more moments with me. There is a great bond that the teacher/student experience cements even after so many years. I would try to make an attempt to attend as many of his performances finances would allow. Times are really tough now and I thought I may have to pass on this but my brilliant and lovely wife told me to get my butt down there and enjoy myself. I usually go for the best seat in he house do I can catch the master flyng around the fretboard at supersonic speeds but decided that I don't need to do that anymore. The last few days I have been viewing my videos of Pat performing and teaching.It was a great joy to be there last night because Pat came back to share with the audience his "ROOTS" with the Hammond B3 Organ Quartet. On the road playing his heart out since 15,we were transported back to the "CHITLLIN CIRCUIT" of the 60's 70's. We in the know knew that this slight human being had something special. I heavily suggest that you try to get a copy of the 2 Videos produced by PHIL FALLO " Open Road" and "Live at Ethels Place". Open road is the documentary on Pats hard and unique life and "Live at Ethels Place" is a live performance from 1987 which marked his return to the performance platform after brain surgery. That performance had him in totally blistering pace. He really "TORE IT UP"!!
His Birdland performance last night was a JEM!! The pace of the evening was varied and right on the money as he drew the most excited sets of applause I have heard in a long time.I was even tempted to stay for the last set of the week but have a 4 hour gig today and needed my rest. I would direct you to Pat's website as there are so many goodies for you to munch on! Just from that site, you can understand the layout of the Guitar and get your chops up to pretty darn good playing levels.
www.patmartino.com.

WHERE IS A VIDEO ABOUT TESTING GUITARS?

2009-01-09T00:36:00.000-08:00

With all of the great videos on the market, I yet have to see on on testing out Classical Guitars!. I remember the totally non responsive quip I received from the great Cuban Virtuoso MANUEL BARRUECO when I asked him very simply, what he does to choose a concert worthy instrument! I asked him for details on what pieces he played and how he judged the responsiveness of the tested instrument and he refused to say anything about the process and said "NEXT QUESTION"!. I remembered how angry I was about that. Here I am a performing artist asking a very honest answer and getting such a snub! I have been waiting for an intelligent dvd or video to show up on the market on this topic but have seen N O N E ! What is it out there. There are some of you who have spent small fortunes to collect top line instruments and you tell me that you never recorded how your instruments react in playing mode?
Now that I have this blog to prick the thinking mind out there, I look forward to Raising your thoughts about this topic. Of couse there are so many building techniques on the market yielding so many types of Classical Guitar Characteristics. I know that a tremendous amount of research has been done in the area of Violin Acoustics testing but why not that of Classical Guitar Testing.I will have to pull out my papers on this which lay a little dusty on one of my shelves and see what I can come up with as a starting point.Just wanted to get the wheel rolling on this topic and hope that there is some intelligent response out there in cyberland.

The 8th Upstate Classical Guitar Society Fall Festival 2008

2009-01-09T00:33:00.000-08:00

The 8th Upstate New York Guitar Society Fall Festival
Don Witter,Jr.

I must apologize for the extremely late arrival of this report to the newsletter which has caused the printing to be delayed but for me it was most special event as it was my 7th Festival and my dear friend and extraordinary musician Antonio Carlos-Barbosa Lima was our guest artist. In the afternoon we also had a special one hour concert by one of the finest exponents of our craft, the Virtuoso Artist Lily Afshar who took us on a great trip musically and aurally with her incredible playing. The Festival had a couple of excellent changes to the event this year which were moments of great genius I thought!

To start our festival, Society president Dennis Turecheck gave an information packed Lecture/Demo on Playing Jazz on the Classical Guitar. There were 8 piles of papers at the edge of the stage. One pile of the Bossa Nova hit "The Gentle Rain" by Luiz Bonfa and the other 7 piles devoted to guitar layouts of various ways of looking at the guitar in Jazz Context. Essentially the information on these sheets is all "Meat and potatoes"! No sugar pills here kiddies! The following list is the blow by blow of the info contained on these heavy layouts: 1) Major Diatonic Modes ( 3 notes per string) root position , 2) 2,5,1 Progressions in Root Position , 3) 2,5,1 Progressions in minor 4) Drop 2 Chord Voicings C6 or A minor 7th 5) 2,5,1 Progressions ( 5 substitutions ),
6) 2,5,1 Progressions ( in minor w /5 substitutions ), 7) 2,5,1 Progressions ( Quick Resolutions).

Dennis Turecheck was my 1st Guitar Teacher and what an incredibly awesome start I had in training under him.He guided me in so many ways as he harnessed all my talent in such a thoughtful and caring way. I would have to say that at my age (58) I continue to feast off of the great direction Dennis first instilled in me and after his lecture would have loved to have spent the rest of the day going over the rest of the material with him. Not one word was wasted in his lecture. To have such an enormous amount of information dispensed at such an early hour left our eyes and minds dragging on the floor but my bloodless cassette recorder came to the rescue as I spaced out like a deer in the front of headlights! Since that lecture I have reviewed the covered material several times to cement the information.

Like last year, our 1st member performing was BOB DONAHOE who performed works by Garoto, Reis and Villa-lobos stating that the common thread uniting these three pieces was that they were solos published by Brazilian Composers in the 1950s. Bob has true feeling for the Brazilian Guitar repertoire as last year in start off position, he delivered a series of arrangements by one of my former teachers and influences Laurindo Almeida. As he rose to leave the stage he uttered " I must be your typical Classical Guitarist because everything Dennis said ( in the preceding lecture on Jazz on the Classical Guitar) was over my head! This comment was a affirmation on the difference between a Jazz Guitar Player who must know everything about Theory and Harmony to function as a Jazz Guitarist who "composes on the spot" as opposed to the Classical Guitarist who just plays the most polished performance of the notes on a page of music. What pure intent Bob continues to bring to the performance stage! RICHARD OSBORNE took us further into the world of Brazilian guitar as he beautifully introduced us to etudes by Ulisses Rocha, a Milonga by Jorge Cardoso, and prelude by Alfonso Montes. He informed us that he studied the Etudes with Rocha and for me that was evident in his lovely interpretations. If I remember correctly, Richard won the silent auction of these Rocha works last year. I put in a couple of bids myself because I saw how interesting they were. His grouping was beautifully executed and very enjoyable.

New for this year was a stroke of genius in that the remaining morning schedule through to lunch break was an INFORMAL ENSEMBLE in which groups joined to read through some music. This was great fun for me and others who joined us onstage for some simple yet pleasing arrangements of folk,Christmas, and Fernando Sor Trios. Since several of us in this group improvised, we took a couple of Jazz Standards and took turns going around the circle for a great exclamation point on this joyful gathering of musical spirits. I do hope this remains a part of the festival because we all enjoyed it so much.So many of us never venture outside of that SOLO CLASSICAL GUITAR WORLD! After all there is no "Orchestra " for Guitarists. Making music with others is a most important part of training the total musician because it teaches us so much about playing together in time and aspects about phrasing. I really had a great time in the group and look forward to repeating this experience next year. In case you want to dabble in the treat, check out the following site for source material ( Thanks to the wonderful SAL SALVAGGIO for e-mailing us the site info before hand!) www.eythhorsson.com
Our post lunch series of performances continued with DAVE RICHMAN'S delivery of a lovely set of pieces by Mudarra and Villa-Lobos omitting the Handel and Bach originally listed on the program. I would imagine that he decided to nod to music from our guest's artist homeland of Brazil in playing the Choro/Valsa from the 5 Movement Popular Brazilian Suite of Villa-Lobos. I particularly enjoyed his interpretation of the Prelude # 1 in which he made some nice use of rubato that made me look at this often played piece in another light. It was a little slower than usual which aided in his particularly insightful explorations.
SPIRAL TANGO is the name of an exceptional Flute and Guitar Duo of ELIZABETH WILLIAMS and my dear buddy WILLIAM SIMCOE. I always look forward to anything WILLIAM SIMCOE does as he is one of the real treasures in this neck of the woods! He is the total artist who just glows music. He has a wonderful energy and easiness that allows him to be the perfect vessel for any music he plays. He only works with the best in the area and on this occasion his duo partner ELIZABETH WILLIAMS just fitted the duo with a gorgeous Flute tone and winning musicality. Their opening piece by Marcos Vinicius, was their 1st performance of that composition ( we were informed after their easy and successful completion) and it was as though they were playing that lovely intro forever. Bill then gifted us with a couple of delicious solos - another piece by Marcos Vinicius entitled SERRADO which was followed by his arrangement of OBLIVION by Tango Master Astor Piazzolla. Ending their stay on stage was an arrangement for duo of Piazzolla's VERANO PORTENO. As I have stated in my previous reports, WILLIAM SIMCOE is a treasure trove of musicianship. His very sensitive playing brings you into the heart of whatever music he is playing. Always performing with beautiful tone and an easy virtuosity, you can just lay back and enjoy. When put in the seat as an accompanist , you are rest assured that he gives just the perfect volume and tone to the instrument he is in duo with. Sensitive with each note, when I review this musician, I would hope that those of you in this area would run to any of his concerts because he is such an excellent musician and deserves wider recognition. Thanks again BILL for another great stay on stage!!!
GIANCARLO SIDOLI is a student of my dear teacher DENNIS TURCHECK and he is on the road to becoming a great talent to watch. Last year was my 1st exposure to him and he is secure and solid in his performances and always gives a little background of the compositions for the audience. He started off with a lithe Sonata by Domenico Scarlatti -K.377 . I have never heard this one but it was basically two lines. Giancarlo gave a nice straight forward propulsion to the music. He originally listed on the program that next up would be 3 Waltzes in duo with Janet Sutta , but that was deleted. He completed his portion of the festivities by playing two movements from the CAVATINA SUITE by Polish Composer ALEXANDRE TANSMAN who composed this suite for Segovia. GIANCARLO played the opening Prelude and the Barcarole. I also studied this Suite with Dennis when I was his student several decades ago and it remains as strong and vibrant now as it was then and still so neglected by my colleagues. I heard during the day that congratulations are in order as GIANCARLO was a newly selected board member!! The Barcarole was just a bit on the slow side but he continues to mark himself as an artist to look forward to. He has been as student of Dennis for the last 3 years and I feel our kinship and wish him only the best in all he continues to tackle because he has all if the right stuff! NICE JOB GIANCARLO!. At one point during the day he approached me in an effort to find out what I thought of his performance which underscores how totally he is dedicated to the craft! I loved it! YOU GO GIANCARLO!!!!
The "PUFF AND PLUCK CONSORT" treated us to a concert of Music from the Renaissance. Composed of
SAL SALVAGGIO on Lute and Baroque Lute, MARILYN ROPER and RENE PRINS on winds and PAULA SCHAEFFER on Viola da Gamba, we had a glorious and joyful romp through compositions by Henry the VIII, Anthony Holborne,Michael Praetorious, ANON ( a most popular composer from this period ) and Andrea Falconieri! The festivities started with RENE PRINS walking down the aisle playing the period bagpipe which made the audience immediately perk up with delight as we were guided back to this earlier period with joy .There is so much fun in this sort of group where they just give us such a great taste of the period aided by their period clothes! SAL SALVAGGIO must be hugged with love for bringing us the joy of this early period music each year in different combinations. Again this man is one of the great artists in this neck of the woods who should have a great following for his incredibly gifted musicianship! Later on in the afternoon, the Town of Oneonta was celebrating it's Birth and I saw one of the Consort members playing on one of the floats!! It was either MARILYN or PAULA! WAY TO GO!
THE FABULOUS TOM RASELY was our master of ceremonies for the day and as usual, gave us his completely magical variety of virtuosic renderings on the guitar during his set in which he performed a couple of his own works,and pieces by Hans Leo Hassler,W.A. Mozart and Gustav Holst. All delivered with the usual fun loving wit of this born performer! If you get a chance , be on the lookout for anything he writes about in the guitar magazines. His ability to relay thoughts clearly and crisply is a joy to behold. I've read several of his excellent articles in ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE over the years and must pat him on the back for the excellent job he always does! He is another one whom I look forward to experiencing because he is such and exceptional artist and thoughtful human being. He is a board member who is always thinking of the best for the society and took the time out to acknowledge the woman who is a SUPER DYNAMO- GAIL HAMILTON. Gail is the person who started the Guitar Society of Upstate New York 8 years ago and she continues to tackle the world with an enthusiasm that leaves all in the dust. She also has the patience of a saint this year as several deadlines have passed for this report and I appreciate her not sending the "FESTIVAL REPORT POLICE after me!
DON WITTER,JR. - ME decided to continue the Brazilian Guitar with the 3 super virtuoso's of Brazilian Guitar History - LUIZ BONFA, BADEN POWELL and LAURINDO ALMEIDA. I decided to be super relaxed and devoted my Bonfa set to DENNIS TURECHECK's lovely wife Christina and described to the audience how I was there when they 1st met at the Music School at which I was his student and Christina was teaching piano. I also let the audience know how special this festival is in my life. I have been here 7 out of the 8 years it has existed missing only the 2001 festival due to my forgetting about it and booking concerts that weekend. I am still hoping to have a special report printed in the Mel Bay Sessions on my 7 years of the Festival. I dedicated my Laurindo Almeida set to the man who began our day of concerts the last two years - BOB DONAHOE because he loves the works of my great teacher LAURINDO ALMEIDA and did a lovely collection last year of arrangements by Laurindo!! I also mentioned to the audience that in another hour they will be exposed to one of the great artists on our guitar scene - LILY AFSHAR, the great Persian virtuoso!! I then alerted them to our main Artist the legendary ANTONIO CARLOS BARBOSA LIMA who I have known since 1967 when he gave his 1st New York concert! I told people to go out into the streets and grab people to come in and experience both LILY and CARLOS!!!
FRED HELLWITZ gave a series of "to be announced " and armed with a wonderful Rameriz Guitar and custom made stool , proceeded to give a most solid and beautiful performance of BACH and BARRIOS. His BACH was wonderfully conceived and executed. Surely this was one of the really special outings of the day. Fred is a Doctor and you could tell that by the care he devoted to preparation of the pieces. He also took time to thank the main people in the society for allowing him to play. He mentioned that he doesn't play as much as he would like to but what an excellent artist he is!. As I said earlier, his Bach was really top notch and his Barrios was played (3rd movement from The Cathedral ) with verve and great bite!
LILY AFSHAR is one of our great virtuosos and we were lucky to get her for our festival. She choose world music repertoire from her cds and what a treat to visit several cultures with such and absolute virtuoso. She began with a TURKISH piece - KARA TOPRAK (Black Earth) by Asik Veysel - has to do with loving the earth of your country.She went on to talk about her use of quarter tones in this piece ( there are two special frets on her Thomas Humphrey Millenium Guitar that allows her to play these quarter tones).Her 2nd piece was taken from the Caprichos de Goya by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. She gave her dissertation on the Caprichos de Goya and about a decade ago I was at a concert at Rose Augustine's Town House in which she played the Caprichos ( 24 ) aided by the Photographs on which the pieces were based. This Capricho performed today, was about a woman to be executed. It is in the form of a theme and 7 variations. Next on her program were two Persian Ballads she arranged for Guitar which does not use quarter tones as in traditional Persian Music as these are two love songs. They are published in a collection of 5 Ballads by MEL BAY. In fact if you look at the Mel Bay Web Magazine www.guitarsessions.com for the month of November, you will find a write up on the Ballads and also a clip from her performance DVD.The Invocation and Dance by Rodrigo was us next and Lily just gave us a stunning version of this magical piece in the Guitar Repertoire.The piece was used as a mandatory competition piece in the late 60's and early seventies at the Major competitions around the world. Another flawless interpretation from her hands. To finish her brilliant hour performance was the great KOYUNBABA SUITE by Italian Composer/Virtuoso Guitarist Carlo Domeniconi. I was fortunate to be in Germany in the early 90's when Carlo performed and taught at the FRECHEN INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FESTIVAL run by my brother virtuoso HUBERT KAPPELL. This piece was a required competition piece so I got a chance to hear a ton of performances of the work. I also in 1987 picked up an LP in Germany of Carlo playing the Suite.The Suite is composed of 4 movements and is a joy to play. I quickly learned 2 out of the 4 movements but yet have to complete the other two. The tuning is a special one C sharp minor. The last movement is the most hair raising as it interprets a rain storm. The thematic material is based on Turkish Music as Carlo has spent most of his life living in TURKEY.Lily gave us a very sensitive and moving performance of this work especially the flamboyant final movement which can have you jumping up and down the fretboard like a headless chicken. I liked what Lily did in that she did not attack the last movement in the up and down manner that it is usually performed. She chose to finger this explosive movement across the fretboard in position which I thought was a great idea and very efficient.For me it was the finest performance outside of Carlo of this lovely work.WHEW~!!! THAT LILY CAN PLAY A MEAN GUITAR!!!! If you ever see her name you must run to her performance to taste an exceptional artist! DON'T MISS HER!!!
https://umdrive.memphis.edu/lafshar/www

Antonio Carlos Barbosa Lima in Concert

When I heard that the Society somehow got Carlos Barbosa Lima to be the headline, I had to be there!!! I have been a rabid fan of Carlos since 1967 when I first heard him in his debut New York Concert under the auspices of the Brazilian Embassy! A child prodigy has grown into a legendary artist.His performance at the festival was loaded with magic and mesmerizing moments of great music making.He opened his program by playing the prelude from a Suite in Ancient Style by GUIDO SANTORSOLA ( Uruguay ). This prelude is just the right piece to open with as it flows so beautifully in an extended series of arpeggios. This was followed by two pieces by Ernesto Nazareth - Carioca and Odeon both arranged by Carlos as most of the evening displayed the magical and intricate arrangement style of the Guitar Magician. Playing on a 2002 Richard Prenkert Cedar Guitar, we sat and marveled at this man of "A thousand Fingers". Such an incredibly clean and precise technique coupled with the highest musicianship gave those in attendance a special gift they will never forget. The 1st half had works of Villa-Lobos,Ernesto Cordero,Augustin Barrios and Gershwin. All winning performances. The pace of each piece was so perfectly conceived and executed.No matter how many lines were in motion at any time, justice was apply given to whatever was the predominant thematic material and the tone was also perfect.In the second half of the great concert we were given more delicious soul pleasing works by : Madriguera,Yasui, Lecuona,Montana, Pixinguinha, Barroso , Lauro and Jobim! The only encore performed was a delicious arrangement of the famous TICO-TICO which ended an exceptional concert enjoyed and treasure by all in attendance!

The Carlos Barbosa Lima Masterclass

Before I get to the wealth of information shared with us by this great artist, I must say that I was disappointed at how few people showed up to take advantage of this exceptional artist and his wealth of great knowledge! Only a hand full of people took part in this Sunday morning Master class but what can you do! The main point stressed in the masterclass was keeping an unbroken phrasing by adjusting the fingering to make the phrasing flow. He spoke about tone color being used to make any repeat of phrasing more interesting on the repeats and to end the masterclass with the last excellent student, he gave us a tutorial in the history of CHOROS by playing through the history of this very important dance form from Brazil! What an incredible treat this was!! I will submit a separate piece on the details of the masterclass for you as I believe there were so many great points covered that I want to make sure I didn't miss any and it would be great for you to be able to chew on some great ways to improve your playing!
Till next year, get ready for this fabulous festival and again, please forgive me for delaying this report. There is so much I want to pass on to you about this festival and will in following reports!

- Don Witter,Jr.

Two Genius in one week at Jazz Museum in Harlem

2009-01-08T22:29:00.000-08:00

I have had two inspirational days this week at the Jazz Museum in Harlem. On Monday, one of the great minds of our times,STANLEY CROUCH gave a talk about the special Talent of DUKE ELLINGTON ( part of the series "JAZZ FOR CURIOUS READERS") that became a springboard into a wide ranging discussion of the state of Jazz and how the Duke was the right person at the right time who caught the eye of IRVING MILLS who knew in Duke, he had an extremely marketable talent and proceeded to make DUKE the great phenom he turned out to be!.I so admire this great man of letters and have read several of his books which expose a man of true genius and unflintching dedication to the art of telling the truth, which of course, rattles the cage often in this lying world of ours. I also count him as one of my heros because he has a way with the English Language that keeps me begging for more every time I read anything from him or catch him on discussion shows like Charlie Rose. This man is totally Brilliant and I sat with a smile in my heart all evening accross from him just swimming in the aura of his genius. Watching him relay and share his experiences was something special for me in that I could experience how his human gestures and thought process filtered into the air. I always wondered how some great minds actually convey their thoughts in the spirit of the "Live" moment as opposed to crafting their sentences carefully at the paper level and I can say that Stanley is as precise in live discussion as he is on the crafted printed page. At times rolling his closed eyes in thought to make sure that his thoughts had just the right amount of pop and articulate swing. He tended to remind me of the last time I saw the great NORMAN MAILER in a broadcast with CHARLIE ROSE at the "Y". I was bowled over by the precison with which Norman Mailer spoke that evening. Charlie Rose had a special broadcast of that evening as a tribute to the just passed Mailer and there was not one wasted word uttered by Mr. Mailer. I used to walk and talk with Norman Mailer in my neighborhood over the decades as he walked to the grocery store. I would ask him about his current project and he would give me a bit of his thoughts on how it was going. In fact as I got more interested in the art of putting clear thoughts on paper myself, I picked up a copy of the book Mr.Mailer wrote on writing! One of my desires is to take the time to go through that whole book myself this month to improve my own skills since it looks like I will have some bed time to eat up during my hospital stay. Anyway, that Mailer annecdote was meant to illustrate my admiration of how STANLEY CROUCH also commands the English language to supreme articulation and surgeon like thought clarity akin to Norman Mailer and how much I admire such Genius.I was so proud to have picked my butt up to go to Stanley's talk Monday night.I was a little late arriving at the tail end of his reading of the essay he wrote on Duke Ellington, but I was there for the main meat of the evening and that was absolutely brilliant in every way!!! Thank you STANLEY!!!!

Last night,I was honored to have attended the "HARLEM SPEAKS" series enjoying an interview with one of my main teachers, the totally awesome Jazz Legend- PAT MARTINO. I traveled to Pat's home for lessons in the 70's and even had dinner with he and his wife after lessons. It was a time of reaching for the sky for me as I could leave work at 3:30 for a 4:10 train to arrive at my 5:10 or so lesson and I remember how clear things would be to me at the lesson but on the way back on the train, I would review the material and just get lost trying to recover what I had just learned! I still have my hand written lessons for that period. Over the decades, we have remained in contact with each other and I bought just about every bit of teaching material Pat has produced in book form and Video.A couple of years ago, The Guitar Center on 14th street in Manhatten,sponsored a PAT MARTINO workshop that was a "KILLER"! I was stunned in that he had a gig at BRIDLAND that same night yet he had the desire to share his great knowledge with us. At that time I was taking a semester of Jazz Guitar Impovisation with the great Ron Ben-Hur at the Lucy Moses School and bumped into a classmate at the workshop! Over the decades, when Pat was in town for a gig, I would usually be there to hang and talk with him.He has always been so kind and gentle with me and I will always keep this great love and affection I have for him in my heart.

As usual,last night I was seated front row right accross from him and our hearts once again met in our strong love for each other. Pat is a very important person in my life not only as a student/teacher relationship but as two affectionate human beings. He pulled me through a difficult period in 2000/2001 when I was in the hospital due to diabetic complications. His "7 Sketches" cd took me out of a great depression as the doctors could not find the source of my illness no matter how many tests they did. This cd was also a source of healing for him as he recovered from brain surgery and memory loss by composing these sketches on computer.I remember how deeply the music went into my soul as I lay in that hospital bed in the deepest bowels of depression and how he and my dear sweet wife helped me climb out of that terribly nasty hole of woe! I remember how stunned I was at how his compositions nutured me and took that "I don't want to live" feeling away from me because I was there saying to myself - "PAT YOU KNOW! YOU KNOW!".One outstanding ability Pat Martino has is to cleary see how the whole human experience is connected and how we must learn to live in the moment and be able to control only what we can and don't waste time worrying about that which is out of our hands. This 2 hour interview was so deep and moving for me because I again must travel to a hospital, this time to be sliced and diced and I don't look forward to it. Coupled with last night's interview of PATRICK SWAYZE by Barbara Walters, my mental state is on the mend as I type this blog at 1:48 in the morning. I would suggest you check out Pat's fantastic website for Guitar meat to chew on! It is FANTASTIC! www.patmartino.com. Pat will be in town next week for a few days ( Jan 14th - 17th ) at BIRDLAND and I suggest you break your necks to get there one of the evenings as this is a man who continues to shine both as an incredible GENIUS of the GUITAR and warm and sensitive human being. Anyone who has met Pat Loves him! Look how much he gives on his website! I am so fortunate to have such a special human being and supremely creative artist as a friend of mine.It is an honor to know you my dear and worthwhile friend! Thank you PAT!!!

Welcome to 2009

2009-01-06T22:13:00.000-08:00

Hope that this year is a positive one and hope I get my act together. I can't believe that 2009 is here so soon and in a few months will be celebrating my 59th birthday!I'm looking forward to another great year with my delicious guitar in my lap as I continue to earn my living playing this great instrument. I will be spilling my guts about this and that hoping to make learning this great instrument a joy and ease for you by seeing things through the various lessons I take and books I read. It is all connected.

Anyway hope you all get something positive from my blog. I will try to post at least one blog a day. Let us see how far I can go and hope that those of you who know me will drop by and tell your friends about me.

Don Witter,Jr.
www.donsguitarsite.com

New Concert and Interview DVD of ROLAND DYENS

2008-12-18T03:04:00.000-08:00

I was just at LUTHIER MUSIC CORP ( 341 West 44th street ) Yesterday in attempt to
pick up my December copy of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE and saw a new DVD by the GREAT super Virtuoso GUITARIST/COMPOSER/ARRANGER , my dear friend ROLAND DYENS. "ANYWAY" is totally awesome! I spent the early morning hours of today from 230 am to around 4:30 writing a thorough review of this spectacular DVD and am now transcribing the interview section ( 12 parts ).As soon as I finish this afternoon, I will post it here on this blog for all to see. IT IS A MUST HAVE!!!!!!!!!

A bit under the weather.

2008-12-12T00:06:00.001-08:00

I have been off my blog due to a personal medical setback. I have been sidetracked by a little reality check causing me to dwell in a dark place the last couple of weeks but am climbing out and should be back in blogging form in a few more days.Hope to get with it and bring you some great stuff.Stay tuned!!!

Don

Some Thoughts and hopes for this blog.

2008-12-01T19:40:00.000-08:00

I want this to be the most positive blog for the guitar on the web. I turned 58 this past April 6th and it occured to me that I have not given enough to ME!! On another posting group, I made an error by not completely reading a post and got thrown off the site. That hurt me deeply because I know I was respected and gave copious amounts of real information that helped people really get into the Guitar world and this is my purpose for being here. I owe a great debt of gratitude to my dear and caring wife who saw that I was deeply depressed at being cut from the discussion group last year and made me go to a couple of blogging courses in preparation for this moment. If you take a look at my webpage , you will see that I have a ton of things missing and am trying to take care of that this month of December.
I am out just about every day in the week playing for the "MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK" program sponsored by the New York City Transit Authority. I do as many gigs as I can to earn my way on this instrument.For several decades, I have been supporting my colleagues by showing up to their gigs even if I have played my own gigs. It has all been in an effort to support the community to which I belong. Now at my age of 58, I find that I have spent too many years only slowly working on my own playing so from here on I concentrate on me. I have collected several books on the art of writing in order to focus on clean thoughts put to the paper. In the past, I would spend a day of playing and traveling to friend's gigs to get home late at night with a billion things to post and would go off half cocked trying to tell you about it all in a blaze of sometimes incoherrent thoughts and wierdly concockted sentences that clipped thoughts and made me look like a babling ediot! In a rush to share my thoughts, I didn't take the necessary time to proof read ( I would be up several hours writing these posts until 5 or 6 am after a 12/13 hour day!!!). Well this time around I will be tempering this burning fire within me and I feel very confident that with this new vision of mine, I will better hit the target every time.
I hope to discuss all types of tidbits with you who want to learn more about this instrument and the various great things you can create on it! Right now, I will be finishing up a report on my favorite Guitar Festival - The Classical Guitar Society of Upstate New York Fall Festival! It is held in ONEONTA,NEW YORK the 1st weekend in October and I am so embarrased that it has taken me so long to get this normally easy report on the newsletter which I dearly apoligize for.
This is my main meat for tonight and tomorrow as there are several parts to my report that are all important and I have rewritten them several times because it just did not click for me. Anyway, I see that my blood is pumping back to almost my old self and as my wife assisted me earlier, she commented about how she has already seen my change back into "THE OLD DONNIE!" . I will do my best folks!

Don Witter,Jr.

Hello from Don's Guitar World

2008-12-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

I'm finally up to share my many experiences with this great instrument.I am hoping to cut down your learning rate at this great instrument by letting you know about things on the market that will get you on top of the many great things you can play in various styles. This is my passion and I hope that you who decide to participate in this venture will have a positive spirit in your posts. We are here to share what we learn and I hope to be able to help you out. STAY TUNED TO THE DONNIE STATION!!!

2008-11-10T19:25:00.000-08:00

Welcome all Guitar Fanatics out there. Are you ready for me ?