Thursday, October 31, 2013

SEGOVIA LIVES AT THE 92nd Street "Y" / This And That

This past Saturday evening at the 92nd street "Y", here in New York, we celebrated a totally awesome evening of SEGOVIAN proportion in that several of the worlds' great Classical Guitarist paid tribute to the Greatest Guitarist in history by celebrating the 120th year of his birth. I just wanted to touch base with you as I am preparing a very long report on the whole evening of greatness.I am happy to say that I know each and every great artist on the program; some of whom I really count as friends I have not seen in a few years and some whom I have run into when they were in the New York Guitar concert platform. I am a little swamped with performances over the next 3 days but will inch my way through the gathering of the sights and sounds of this great evening so hold on partners as this report on the Segovia Tribute will give you a juicy treat over the next week.

I will be doing an "up close" report on my favorite magazine CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE. The October issue has quite a few entries that I was personally involved with and I had to jump for joy at the bounty of goodies in its' pages and am foaming at the mouth to share them with you!!!

How about that JULIAN BREAM turning 80 and ALIRIO DIAZ turning 90!!!! Two of my great heroes!!! BREAM of course, is not on the concert platform but that ALIRIO is still tearing up the fretboard!!!! My other hero at 70 is known to be ready to hang up his performance spurs:JOHN WILLIAMS!! Say it ain't so Johnny!!! A few years ago I gave myself a treat by attending  THREE John Williams concerts in a two week period!!!! For one I actually rode the express train with JOHNNY from New York to Boston where he was picked up by MANUEL BARRUECO and his gorgeous wife!! What a lucky guy I have been in my life to have met so many great artists and none of them were ever stuck up!!!! BREAM was a little brittle when he gave his Master Class at the Manhattan School of Music but apologized for his shortness to me the next day. I have always loved Breams' fantastic way with the guitar. In particular his ability to make music colored with excitement in every performance. I will be posting my own tribute to BREAM this month and hope that somehow he gets a chance to read it!

If you love the Classical Guitar, this coming Monday you must attend a special Lecture/ demo by the incredibly fabulous GARRETT LEE at the Mannes College of Music. My fellow Mannes buddy from 1968-9 FREDERIC HAND will be playing a totally awesome Guitar he built for Fred. I have been to several lectures by Garrett over the last couple of years and he is also one of the finest Guitarists you can imagine. At the past MANNES GUITAR Week, he made my Eliot glow with his beautiful playing. What a treat it was for me to be on the "other end" of the guitar as GARRETT had the most "knowing coaxing" of sound!!! He gave me a fantastic lesson in instrument sensitivity awareness! I point you to his website for a mountain of Guitar knowledge this young man has at his fingertips : leeguitarworks.com. This young man is a GENIUS and a glowing example of a fine human being with one of the most beautiful smiles in human kind! I am proud to know him!!!

I have also recently really revisited the HUMAN GUITAR TORNADO by the name of ELIOT FISK!!!!!!! I will be devoting a separate post to this young man I have known since the late 60's W H E W !!! THAT IS A HELL OF A LONG TIME! My wife and I were in a weekend vacation when we saw that Eliot was giving a concert with his wife and daughter at a College in Bethlehem Pa and we missed it because we had a full day at the HARVEST FESTIVAL in town and I was worn out!!! Told Eliot this past Saturday that we were there but had to pass. I have the local paper which laid out the program. This is one of those times when I kicked myself in the butt for missing my man Eliot!! Sorry buddy. ANYWAY you should all be aware of that unique master ELIOT FISK! Check out his you tube performances! Buy and listen to the 24 Caprices of Paganini and turn it up high! IT WILL BLOW YOU A W A Y !!!!! He is the reincarnation of Liszt and Paganini rolled into one great performance machine!!! He may not be every ones' cup of tea being a bit over the top but he is one of History's greatest musical marvels and you should experience at least once in your lifetime.

That is all for now! It's 1:24am Friday Morning and I have to be at an 8am gig so I had better wrap it up for now.Keep strumming your Guitars out there and see next time at the DONNIE CHANNEL!!!!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

David Leisner and Rufus Muller at Symphony Space- FABULOUS!!!!

On Friday October 18th, I was in the audience of one of the finest performances in my life!. As part of the Symphony Space "In the Salon" series, the "Guitar Plus" portion is in its sixth season of chamber music with the guitar with David Leisner as the Artistic Director. I have had the great joy of knowing this great genius for several decades now. David is a triple musical threat as he is an incredible virtuoso Guitarist, Supremely articulate Composer and outstanding teacher. Tonight was a concert to die for as David and the Marvelous Tenor Rufus Muller weaved a perfect web of superlative musicianship which left the audience completely entranced and thoroughly satisfied! Tenor Rufus Muller was sheer perfection on every possible level. His voice has an incredible facility and beauty. When needed he would open up those pipes and shake the rafters with his power and also hush us with delicate whispers perfectly articulated no matter what the volume. I can really appreciate his mastery as I am both a student of the voice and professional Guitarist. Rufus kept me on the edge of going crazy enjoying the beauty of his instrument and his perfect stage presence which brought the character of each and every song to perfect expression. For some songs he was seated and for others standing and producing both facially and bodily ever single nuance required to tell the story of each song. There I was 2nd row center to experience one of the greatest performances in my life "Up Close".
The program was everything composed by British Composer Benjamin Britten for Tenor and Guitar.These lovely gems were produced during a ten year period, 1953-1963 for Britten's partner Tenor Peter Pears and Legendary Guitarist Julian Bream. I was fortunate to have been able to enjoy that original duo of Julian Bream and Peter Pears a couple of times in the late 60s/early 70s and what magic they produced on stage!!!! That magnificent magic was thoroughly realized this night!!! Always superbly in sync for each and every note, David and Rufus knocked the ball out of the park with each and every song perfectly expressing every nuance and emotion requested. David ! OH MY BUDDY! That kid plays a mean Guitar!!!! He uses a great instrument from one of the giants in the history of Guitar making : JOHN GILBERT. John recently passed away but made his mark in the Classical Guitar world with his "Working Instruments"! I recommend you jump on to you tube and feast on the special documentary on John as he shares his craft with you in an easy and matter of fact style. I actually took a class with John at a GFA Convention held in Akron Ohio a couple of decades ago. It was for "Luthiers only" but I thought it was important to be there to get some knowledge of the craft. John Gilbert was completely down to earth and so easy going.
 Coming back to tonight's performance, David was ( as usual ) in total command of our lovely instrument with a supreme palette of  diverse articulation that only a Master Musician has at his/her disposal. Britten's accompaniments perfectly molded the thoughts expressed in these moving tone poems. The evening was like having a truly gourmet meal produced by two outstanding chefs! Each and every ingredient perfectly measured and blended!
 There was no intermission but Laura Kaminsky, Artistic Director of Symphony Space gave us "A Few Thoughts About Benjamin Britten". We learned about the total power of love and faithfulness between Britten and his partner Peter Pears and this was expressed at quite the right time as we are seeing more laws supporting the natural love between two people no matter what their orientation finally going forward!!.
 Getting back to the program, I didn't even mention the works: Folk Song Arrangements ( 1956,1958), The Second Lute Song of the Earl of Essex ( from Gloriana,1953) and the Songs from the Chinese, op. 58 (1957). An added plus to the program was the greatest Guitar Work as touted by Julian Bream, Britten's NOCTURNAL,op 70 ( 1963 ). The Nocturnal is seated right in back of me in my front room as I write this post and is one hell of a great piece of music. It is in the format of a theme and variations - REVERSED. That is to say  the Variations come before the main theme. The Nocturnal Musically travels through several states of sleep with such creative ingenuity and David Leisner's performance was masterful and sensitive in each and every dream state. It was never in any way a mirror image of the totally awesome Bream recording. I worked on these variations a couple of decades ago just for fun but never completed a final craft of the piece but was so moved by the creativity of the writing that I had to "TASTE IT"! This is one of the finest pieces in our literature and it was stunning in the way David crafted each variation. Tone quality was so pristine and the Leisner " WAND OF MAGIC " was overflowing. It is such majestic playing that makes me proud that I also enjoy the "Taste of the Plucked Universe of Guitar Strings".

Now for some really crazy moments I had leading up to the concert I must share with you!!!!

I was trying to order a senior discount ticket online as per Davids' instructions but got no where. I had my own gig from 4 to 7 pm and figured that I would come straight from the gig with my equipment. Since it was a gorgeous day I decided that no matter what the cost, I would take the easy trip to the box office. I assumed that the Symphony Space Box office would be opened at noon- WRONG. Got there at 12:40 and guard told me they opened at ONE!! Well, took a slow walk up a couple of blocks and found a "Housing Works" store near the corner of Broadway and 96th street. As usual I make a beeline to the books and as my luck would have it , the recently published book on Benjamin Britten authored by Wilson was right there. It was a preview copy with no pictures or music but I said "Get IT" . The price was $5 and I didn't want to pay that as I could easily get a library copy later. I put the book where I could easily remember if I changed my mind. So I head back to the space to buy my ticket at 1pm and who do I bump into - DAVID and his wonderful partner RALPH! I told David I had a 3 hour gig before his performance but that I would be there. He reminded me that the program will be on the short side so I should try to make it on time or miss some of the performance. After paying for my ticket, I decided it would be a hoot to pick up the Britten Biography and read a few pages in preparation for the evening performance. Lo and Behold the book was not where I left it!!!! I slowly canvassed the whole book section and said to myself : Not for me today! As I took a couple of steps away I said: You really want that book so look in every nook and crannie before leaving! As usual for me, I slowed my search down and found the book tucked away on top of one of the lower shelves!!! YEAH! YIPPEE!! On my way back home I glanced at the introduction in which Wilson states that this will not be a "Musical" biography so there were no examples ( which I really wanted ) . I know that there are a couple of books on the Music of Britten but the prices scared me away for now! So instead of staying at my gig from 4 to 7 , I left around 6 and took my Guitar/Amp/Seat back home, kissed my gorgeous wife and decided to leave my Britten Biography home so my listening pleasure would not be too tainted with too much information. I wanted the music to speak to me sound to heart and it surely did all evening!! I must also comment on the excellent program notes and words to the songs! DAVID - You are a glowing example of what it means to be an excellent and thoughtful musician and human being and I am so happy to have such a sensitive person as a part of my life.
David Leisner only works with the best and I look forward to future great performances of this giant of our craft! I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU RUFUS! I checked out your POSSE of students and fans and it was fun to be encircled with such an outpouring of love for you and your gift! Your singing really,really moved me ( as I told you ).
I know this was a long post but I had so much to share with you and I wanted to get it all in. It is experiences like this that make me feel so "ALIVE". Great  Music by and from great Musicians is Priceless and consumes the soul with the deepest of emotions. Damn! It is 2:45 am and I have an early morning gig but it is worth every sleepy moment.I proofed most of this post but hope I got my points clearly across to you. Please forgive me if I goofed. I am dead tired with my eyeballs hanging out their sockets! Later!

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Took the summer off.

Hi FOLKS! I took the summer off from performing with the exception of an August 15th Library Concert. I have never taken a rest from performing AT ALL since 1955-my first public performance on piano. It was weird not performing some where around town with the Music Under New York program or any other gigs. It was "Free Flow" time and here we are already in the month of October. I started back a couple of weeks ago. I am still passing up attending concerts , workshops etc. This past week the Great Eduardo Fernandez was in town to give a masterclass and concert. I passed on that also. As I may have mentioned in a previous post. I want to devote the next couple of years to me! I have spent my life supporting my colleagues and friends by attending their concerts,workshops etc . I have been known as the black guy in the suit and the guy with the pad and pen. I should have attended the GFA this year because many friends were there and I really wanted to go but changed my mind at the last minute since it was just before the Mannes Guitar Seminar. You can catch an excellent report on the GFA in this month's CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE by the always brilliant GRAHAM WADE. I particularly enjoyed his description of the super virtuoso players in detail. He is right on the money in all his acute coverage of the event.I will be giving you a glimpse into this wonderful magazine CLASSICAL GUITAR in my next post. The October issue is chuck full of several great articles which I want to talk about as I was involved in a couple.
 I must admit that I have withdrawn from both the Jazz and Classical Guitar scene in an effort to make up for my not really honing my craft all these decades. I should have been a prominent name in the Classical and Jazz Guitar worlds but did not really bust my chops at all. I was given a great talent but am so embarrassed that I did not work harder at developing it. I am doing it now and it feels so darn great. I have spent some time listening to several decades of my concerts and whew! I was a young monster! I am particularly
proud of where I am at this point because I can truly enjoy the learning process.
  The Internet has so much lesson material it is way too much! I have developed some sizable bags under my eyes thanks to investigating so many lessons and will be sharing with you many of the sites I have found worthy of you time and investigation. For a couple of mentions, Check out the Classical Guitar lessons with JASON VIEAUX  and the posts of GOHAR VARDANYAN ( strings by mail , Mel Bay ). I also will be reminiscing on the greats who have passed by me in my guitar life here in New York. I have been very fortunate to have met the legends and cream of the crop of our Classical and Jazz Guitar scene. I was at the right places at the right time and am happy to have had such a wealth of greats in my life!! I was fortunate to have been active in the 60's onward - especially in the 60s/70s in the Greenwich Village Folk Scene at Folk City and Cafe Wha plus a few other folk scenes! I was fortunate to have met Judy Collins who told me she loved my playing and that I would be a welcome member to her group if I were interested. While a student at The High School of Music and Art, many notable artists were in my classes who we knew would make it big in the music world. The memories are pouring out as I write these few words down and I want to share them with you in future posts. I am also cleaning up my writing prowess trying to curtail my usual out of control forward motion as I know I am excitable when I start my gabbing.
 I also want to write a special post dedicated to the host of great colleagues/friends/teachers who have graced my life with their love and passion for our great and noble instrument. I will not start listing them now because I have many that have passed on and people have forgotten so I want to start a complete list.

ME AND MUNY
 One of the finest things  I have done is to be a part of the MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK PROGRAM. The Musicians in and around the New York City Subway System like myself make this world a better place by sharing our Music with any and every one. I have performed in so many special events for the last 17 years and am honored to please people by introducing them to The World of the Classical and Jazz Guitar. Every time I put this instrument in my hands, I soar into the realm of the Gods in an effort to play the most beautiful Music I can muster on these 6 strings. The LAP PIANO( coined by the great legendary 7string master GEORGE VAN EPS ). I have been a judge for several years on the panel and we have a great group of excellent musicians in the program and I will also be posting a blog devoted to this wonderful organization.

THOSE GUITARS!!!!
We are in the golden age of Classical Guitar Construction!!! Traditional fan bracing, Lattice, Double tops and so many other styles of construction!  W H E W !!!!!! Another post on some thoughts about this topic to be posted by me.

MORE TO COME KIDDIES!!!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Summer Time off for Donnie!/GFA DECEMBER 2nd 2012 / Tidbits

I decided to take the next couple of years off from the scene here in Concert/ Workshop/ Masterclass ville in the Big Apple. Since 1955 I have performed in public and never taken a hiatus at all! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE performing but I need time to smell the roses and look back on my life. I was hoping that I would get some readers of this blog to my August 15th concert but NOPE! I also posted on the New York Classical Guitar Society Website ( which I that was a slam dunk to attract an audience)-nope! I have spent my whole life supporting my colleagues by showing up at their concerts etc but I see that has not put money in the Donnie bank so life goes on.

I was devastated last December 2nd when I auditioned for the GFA Symposium evening concert and did not make it. I played an excellent medley of Luiz Bonfa and thought I was a shoe in. I have been playing these pieces most of my life and have never had the slightest problem.In the 70's I took a lesson with Maestro Bonfa at Manny's Music store when Luiz was in town to buy some strings. Here I was among all my dear international colleagues: DENNIS KOSTER, ANA MARIA ROSADO and so many great artists who know my playing well. One of the two judges I had a run in with previously because I told him I didn't like how he treated one of my supreme artists. He made a promise to my friend and didn't have the courtesy to say he couldn't deliver on his promise. All it took was a couple of moments to email my friend or take a minute to phone an explanation but nope. It is so hard for young artists to get a break in this rough concert world of ours and we should be kind to each other and respectful for the hardships we, as artists must endure. That is what ticked me off . I will not name him, but I took that exclusion as "Payback" for my just defense of my colleague. When the names were read, I would have bet anything that the last name on the evening Guitar Roster would be mine.I was the last to audition in a room that was terribly stuffy and both of the Jurors Jumped out of that room at my last note like bats out of hell. When my name was not read I immediately when to he men's room and vomited. I was never in my life so hurt by the fraternity I grew up in and loved so dearly. I left for the day holding back tears and several rounds of vomiting. I have written this overview of the incident many times but have not posted it. I will not mention the names of the judges involved but this has stayed in my heart much too long and as I have taken the summer off playing around the city for the 1st time in my life, I have been looking at my Guitar life here in New York and in particular the Classical Guitar Community. This incident was an insult to me and I feel Weird to post this but I must let go the pain and I know I must be crazy to do it on this public forum but I want these two "Judges" to know how deeply their decision cut into my heart and this was the only way to let this terrible pain find peace.

I have made the decision to stay off the scene for the next two years with the exception of my Music Under New York gigs around town.I have been asked why I have not been seen and must say that I need a change and don't need to be a one man support group for the the New York Guitar community. I am a worn out by so many who promise to show up at my gigs and never make it. I play my ass off each and every time I perform and used to be deeply hurt when people ask me "When are you playing"? I really want to hear you" and there is their empty seat staring at me. We in the arts have to prepare for those terrible moments of personal hurt. Even when we are far and above those of whom we must compete for a place in the limelight, we have to learn how to drag our hearts off the floor and carry on. I heard that a decent amount of great young artists I know didn't make it to the finals of the GFA and was stunned because I was going to attend but had to pass due to poor health. I am a member of the GFA and applaud their event and competition and they consistently produce phenomenal winners. It is a monster event and they do a hell of a great job. Competitions are so unfair to the human spirit but I guess it serves a purpose in the careers of the musician. You have got to know how to take it. I almost threw my heat in the ring and actually started to prepare earlier this year but felt with all these great young players around the world, I would get my 63 young ass kicked good and down the block and around the globe! NAW I am no glutton for punishment. I remember a few times in my performing life when I auditioned for an event and stayed beginning to end so I knew who my competition was and saw that I performed an excellent set but was not chosen. In these cases I saw that the judging panel was looking for something else so I was not selected. This happens in all of our fields of endeavors. I love the great book on Competition that was published by one of the greatest exponents of our craft DENIS AZABAGIC. I also enjoy his performance dvd and teaching dvd. DENIS delivers the facts of competition life in minute detail since he has lived it and I must thank him for sharing the truth with us. Well that is enough on that. YEP! GOTTA HAVE THICK SKIN IN ORDER TO CARRY ON!

At this point in my life I still hope to release the queue of posts I have written for you on paper. I have a great report itching to go about the great 2013 MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR! This year's main focus was on Building a Career as a Guitarist and had the best group of people giving the nuts and bolts of this tough life.

Before I jumped on to my blog I decided to check out some you tube videos and as always found another excellent performer on our great instrument: LAURA HUSBANDS who was plying a great piece magnificently "Prelude and Danza by Spanish composer Julian Bautista.I worked on this composition around 30 years ago and loved it so I was interested in seeing and hearing what she did with it and W O W !!! Her playing was FANTASTIC. She has a great attack and her note articulation was so clean. Whatever instrument she used was SUPERLATIVE. She made great use of tone color and her interpretation was supremely "SPANISH"! I loved it and look forward to checking out her other videos.

As you may have observed from my past posts, I love to give a huge amount of credit to our great Female artists because I believe they don't get enough notoriety. No I am not a dirty old man. I just believe that our great women of the guitar deserve much more respect. As a matter of fact I had a very sweet visit with the great Rose Augustine about a week before her death at her factory and one of our points of conversation was should we have a Woman's Concert Series. She felt there should not be unequal bent to the woman as performers even though Rose admitted that the field was dominated by males. If I had the bucks, I would publish a monthly mag just featuring female Classical/Jazz Guitarists! Music is not gender based! A woman can play just as magical and aggressively as a man SO THERE!!

Related to my previous paragraph I must relate a couple of "female" based reviews I have done in a previous discussion group over a decade ago. I love to give an "YOU ARE THERE" feeling to my review of concerts and I comment on several aspects of the performance. I remember all too well well how some reader attacked me with "You don't like female players". That was a lie. It just so happened that I told exactly what I experienced. Both wonderful artists are still magnificently on the concert platform at this time. One artist chose to perform the ARANJUEZ which is the most performed Guitar Concerto in History. She blew a couple of those RODRIGO scale runs and I mentioned it in my review which was 98 percent positive. The power of the internet is all consuming and dangerous because some of her students asked her about that. People are always looking for the negative point of view. Well I met my colleague at a concert at the 96street "Y" and first thing she said was "I have a bone to pick with you"! I knew immediately she was referring to the review because I thought quite heavily when I wrote it if I should mention the slipping of the scale runs. I told her ( and she agreed ) that that review was a glowing positive review and that I only mentioned it because it is the most well known Guitar Concerto and there would be some people in the audience who would be astute enough to say "Hey - she missed a couple of scale runs". This great artist then relayed the reason for the misfires- two of her former teachers were in the audience and made her a little nervous. Of course so many people want to bathe in negative talk and especially with this world wide medium , some of you out there are ready to pounce on anything you want to bend out of context.
 My second artist is a phenom who has had a life of excellence and at one point I had to stop attending here concerts because she didn't "reach past the concert stage"! Town Hall is an excellent small concert hall here in New York and my man JULIAN BREAM and JOHN WILLIAMS both played there. I remember as if it were yesterday that I was going to give my lady one more chance with my money because she sounded so great on cd/record but didn't have enough "Guts" in the concert hall to reach into the audience with her personal sound.This concert was marred by a woman in back of me who kept rattling her bracelet throughout the concert. I let that woman have it at intermission. Back to the performance. I was in a 5th,6th row center orchestra seat in town hall but could hardly hear her so I stopped attending her concerts for years until she decided to use some amplification and wow! What a great change.Anyway that is enough of that for now. I only mention these experiences to relate how in the quest for honesty and truth in reporting an event, you really have to make very sensitive choices and pick thoughts that may be the truth but hard to humanly accept. That is when you have the vultures try to kick your butt online and attack you for expressing your opinion!

I see I have been online for the last two hours and still have more thoughts to express. Just in case I somehow loose this post let me send it out to you before that happens.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

ROLAND DYENS and GOHAR VARDANYAN - GOOD TOGETHER!

There is a great tie-in of my recent posts on my two dear friends : ROLAND DYENS and GOHAR VARDANYAN. Roland just published a series of 100 pieces for the Guitar which covers various levels of technical and musical topics and the company STRINGS BY MAIL has a wonderful series of GOHAR playing several of these pieces and teaching the fine points covered in these marvelous pieces. You will find that GOHAR is also as brilliant  a teacher as she is a guitar virtuoso. I just finished viewing several of the pieces and what a treasure they are! I think you should jump right in there and experience the videos for yourself! ROLAND knows the Guitar inside out and upside down and always gives exact details on how to play his compositions and arrangements. As I mentioned in previous posts, ROLAND DYENS is a giant in the Guitar world!! I mentioned him as a "Bottomless Pit of Creativity" and I firmly stand by that statement. There is only one ROLAND DYENS!!!

DONNIE PLAYS SAINT AGNES LIBRARY AUGUST 15TH 5:30 PM

I will be giving a concert next Thursday August 15th / 5:30 pm at the St. Agnes Branch of the public Library . The branch is located at 444 AMSTERDAM AVENUE in Manhattan at 81st street.I will be presenting a program of SPANISH AND LATIN AMERICAN MUSIC. Juicy tidbits by several outstanding composers and I hope to have a ball. The Library concerts are slim these days due to budget cuts but hopefully there will be more Donnie GIGS in the near future! Hope to see you there as the 63 year Guitar plucker will prove to you that there is indeed life after 30! SEE YA LATER!!!!
 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

The Bottomless Musical Creations of ROLAND DYENS!!!!!

Go to the YOU TUBE and look for the performance of my dear friend and colleague ROLAND DYENS as he performs "The Delights of Jet lag" on the Acoustic Guitar Magazine collection of Videos! I was surfing to find out some performances of my favorites and noticed this performance and just had to alert you to the greatness that is the awesome artistry of ROLAND DYENS!

Since the early 60s, I have heard the greatest Guitarists in the Classical and Jazz Genres and let me tell you ROLAND DYENS IS THE MOST CONSUMMATE GUITARIST ON THE PLANET!!! I have known my dear friend for several decades and just when I thought he has done it all, he tears me a new learning curve!!!! As a virtuoso Guitarist he just knows all there is about our instrument. He can play in several tunings and calls into service every imaginable guitar technique in his brilliant compositions! He starts off the above work by performing harmonics with his right hand interspersed with " Hammer ons " with his left hand. Of course it would be a bit difficult to carry this work on in any decent size hall because the carrying power of the instrument while performing the legatos/hammer ons, are tough to pull off! I remain a rabid fan of my dear friend forever and when he visits the City, we somehow get a chance to have a meal and talk about all sorts of guitar and non guitar topics. ROLAND really stuns me every time he plays and we are so fortunate to have so many you tube videos available of his fantastic performances and beautifully sculpted compositions. I don't know what type of blood you have ROLAND, but I'd love to have a few drops!!

There is NO ONE LIKE ROLAND DYENS ON PLANET EARTH!!!!!!! Just look at the huge body of work he has put out! STUNNING!!!!!! I must say that as far as I am concerned he walks on water and dwells in the rarified realm of MOUNT OLYMPUS with the GODS. If you EVER get a chance to attend a ROLAND DYENS concert, GET THE BEST TICKET AND PREPARE TO BE AMAZED AT THE WIZARDRY OF OUR MODERN DAY LISZT! I am crazy about great Guitar performances no matter what the genre and ROLAND has them all beat! I know that is quite a statement but his videos should convince any doubting folks out there!!! My Man Roland. PLEASE CONTINUE to SHOW US THE MAGICAL WORLD OF OUR GREAT INSTRUMENT AND THANK YOU! 

Sunday, July 28, 2013

TO COME- DONNIE STUFF

Before that coffee rolls down my throat, just want you to know that I will be pointing out some people in our guitar world you should know about as I bump into them on the web and if I check out a good book or video that will help you become better musicians and guitarists, I will let you know that also. For now let me pass on two names you should check out N O W :


                  SYLVAIN  LUC 

               TOMMY EMMANUEL 

Some Thoughts by Donnie

My previous post on Erica Cha is quite humorous to me because only this afternoon I was watching CUNY TV here on cable in New York and caught two documentaries on BACH back to back. He is the greatest composer in musical history and a monument to the art of music! Then to report on Erica's prelude performance was a treat as a followup.

As those of you who know me, I only deal in the truth and will sometimes be attacked for that so I keep my blog only to my voice as I experienced such heartache and pain when I was on forums over the years. After turning a young 63 this past April, I have been deeply looking at what I can do with the rest of my life with the guitar. This blog will hopefully be my legacy of my Guitar Devotion.

I have taken off the Summer performing in the Music Under New York Program to "Smell the Roses". I have been taking time to work on "the basics"- "Wood shedding" and cleaning up my website. Also working on getting more healthy.

My congratulations go out to RUPERT BOYD the young Austrailian/American Guitar virtuoso who continues to bring beautifully performed concerts wherever he goes! Read his blog and check put his Videos on YOU TUBE.

Also worthy a big mention is the lovely and enormously talented GOHAR VARDANYAN! I was looking forward to attending her concert sponsored by the New York City Classical Guitar Society but just came out of the hospital and was too weak to travel. I apologized to her at the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR.
This young woman is a F A N T A S T I C  ARTIST!!! Check out her performances on You Tube also!!! What a treat to watch and her hear her perform.

I will be reporting on the MANNES 2013 Seminar in bits and pieces as I have selected about 7 or so separate reports on this great event! MICHAEL NEWMAN, LAURA OLTMAN and MARIANO AGUIRRE - the three powerhouses of presentation must be hugged for all their efforts in staging this wonderful event. I must also include the supporting staff of students who did all the necessary day by day operations of keeping this Seminar moving along! LOVE THAT MICHAEL! HE IS SO FUNNY! I watched Michael grow up and I also attended his 1st concert at a church on 13th street in Manhatten. He was "THE OUTSTANDING" student of Cuban Born Virtuoso Guitarist/Teacher ALBERT VALDES BLAIN. We also attended the 1st American Masterclass of the Giant JOHN DUARTE in 1973 when he gave his class at the great GUITAR WORKSHOP in OYSTER BAY LONG ISLAND. I remember the director, a slight man full of energy- KENT SIDON - who had a great staff of exceptional teachers. Anyway- Michael played rings around everyone. There were lots of jealous folks up there who just thought this "WISE ASS PUNK KID" was too much to stomach but I knew exactly what Michael was all about. He has a great wit and loves to turn a cute and humorous phrase, which was too often taken as a "Smart Alick"
spout. I remember the jealous comments behind his back of those who wondered "Who in the hell is this snippy punk?" . I also remember how studious Michael was. He had his pencil and little pad to take absolutely everything Duarte told him about his playing and I thought this was an excellent eye opener for the rest of the students but they didn't catch on. Yes that was also the year we had the great JERRY WILLARD on the staff as teacher and concert artist!!!! HEY JERRY HOW ARE YOU DOING BUDDY?
Jerry Willard played his transcription of the RITUAL FIRE DANCE witch knocked my sox off".!!!! in the late 68-69 , I was a student at Mannes when the legendary Virtuoso Pianist ATUR RUBENSTEIN came to Mannes to shoot a documentary on his life! I attended a concert of his at Carnegie Hall in which he performed one of his great "SHOWPIECES" - The Ritual Fire Dance. He loved to add theatrics to that explosive performance by raising his hands to the ceiling and landing whack after whack of those massive chords, always landing solidly like a rock! I know there is a video on You Tube you can reference of his performance! Oyster Bay - The Guitar Workshop also had a couple of other moments in my life! One was the FANTASTIC CONCERT given by legendary Flamenco Virtuoso SABICAS . I remember how I was pissed that he didn't start right at 8pm. I later heard that there were some "Special VIPS" who requested they hold up the concert start time so they can be there. It was a usual SABICAS display of mastery. Yes this was the time when all the young guns of the super fast scale proponents led by PACO DE LUCIA were just getting started. I noticed how SABICAS would show the audience that he too could flash a mean scale at warp speed! It was just that spirit he conveyed as he said "SEE. I TOO CAN DAZZLE YOU BUT I DON"T NEED TO"! I was also indebted to Maestro Sabicas as he patted me on my back for performing a fine version of the B minor etude by Sor when he was visiting TONY DAVID at the American Institute of The Guitar on 54 th street. TONY and SABICAS were great friends and I actually was in the company of just us 3 one afternoon and I asked to see his hands because I always loved the big rich tone he produced on the guitar. YEP THAT  man had meaty fingers and super strong nails. I was on top of the world being congratulated by him and just being around him. I was heart broken when my dear colleague and friend DENNIS KOSTER told me at a social gathering that SABICAS passed away with no one around him. As I write these words, the tears are again flowing as this great gentleman graced my life with his beautiful character and dignified spirit.

ROSE AUGUSTINE was our greatest hero and I will always miss her! I loved that woman and the week in which she passed away, I spent several hours with her one afternoon that week.She was complaining about a cold that would not go away. Little did I know that whatever that was, it did her in at the end of the week. I was stunned to find out about her passing from the concert stage of Eliot Fisks's Tully Hall Concert~!! I have been friends with Rose since the late 60's and I loved bumping into her around the city. That hopefully will be a separate post on this blog of mine. She did so much for us!!!

I can also write a long and separate blog about that "GUITAR HERO" - ELIOT FISK. I have followed Eliot since the late 60's also and at this years Mannes Seminar told him about the many times I have heard him including his performance at The 1975 Toronto ( or was it 1978 ?). That was the year ALIRIO DIAZ performed. Eliot is either loved or hated because he is brash and bold on the concert stage. Sometimes he comes across as a "SLEDGE HAMMER" because he really can make the guitar say "UNCLE". He has already gone down in my mind as the equal of LISZT, PAGANINI,  BEETHOVEN. Without question, Eliot is "OVER THE TOP" but what an exciting persona to experience and it was such this year. I almost attend the GFA just before the Mannes to get another taste of Eliot but I decided not to go Guitar hog wild on myself. More on Eliot in an upcoming post! I love how he was dressed in a white suit and how he always calmly walks to the concert platform which belies the torrential volcano that will be erupting when he places that instrument on his lap. Was that a run on sentence? Eliot blows me away!

Let me take a time out right now. This blog rings me out as I have so much to say about our craft and the people in it. MAURICE SUMMERFIELD ROCKS!!!. I want to hug my buddy across the pond for that MAGNIFICENT MAGAZINE - "CLASSICAL GUITAR" as I am enjoying each and every issue. There is so much Classical Guitar activity around the world and this magazine continues to be a great source of up to the minute information and excellent articles on so many aspects. Yep- an upcoming blog on this great magazine also!! I am not sure but I believe the GFA was supposed to honor MAURICE this year and he deserves it! KUDOS TO MY DEAR FRIEND! I LOVE YOU and ADMIRE YOU!

This 63 year crazy guy is spent for now. Gotta get some sleep or maybe check out some performances on the web and sip some coffee. See you next post!!!

DONNIE GUITAR!

ERICA CHA at MANNES- EMERGING ARTIST IN MOTION

There is a young artist in the making who revealed herself in front of us at the 2013 Mannes Guitar Seminar as she performed in the Sharon Isbin Masterclass. Her name is ERICA CHA and she will be one of our "Greats" if she continues along her current path. From her 1st few notes in the Isbin masterclass, I knew there was someone special in front of me. Her Guitar ( ZEBULON TURRENTINE NO 6 ), had it all together. That instrument was one of the best I have heard in quite some time! Excellent volume and lovely tone character! It must be a joy to play. Anyway, I just got off my I-phone letting Erica know that I am posting this blog about her. Erica has a video on you tube of her playing a Bon Jovi tune ( Livin on a Prayer ) on which she uses a steel string acoustic guitar. I jumped into "Donnie Research mode" and investigated any other possible sources of an ERICA SIGHTING and was happy to find her performance of the aforementioned Bach prelude - Prelude in E major BWV 1006a on the website of her Luthier -
( WWW.ZEBULONTURRENTINE.COM ). This prelude requires an ability to dive head long into a "Forward Motion Dash". No room to breathe in this opening movement . I remembered that John Williams had a posting of this movement online so I immediately ran through his performance ( which is really unfair ) but I just wanted to see how the performances differed. I remember how I just loved Ericas' sure and confident performance in front of Sharon and how Sharon was also impressed-so much so that she was encouraging her to join her in Aspen next year for her course. After Erica's performance, I shouted my praises and was shocked by how the audience did not likewise hoot and holler for this emerging young artist! She won 2nd place in this years' APPALACHAIN Guitar Festival and is a student of RAFAEL SCARFULLERY.
Whoever gets to mold her performances in the present and future will be a fortunate teacher and I do hope that she gets only the best available teachers in her young and gifted life. This young lady has it all going for her and I wish her the best!!!!!
I will be watching her progress and reporting on any new advances as they happen.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Mannes Guitar Seminar-Opening Night Concert-2013 day # 1

The 13th New York Guitar Seminar at MANNES " Be a Player" kicked off this year's Festivities at the AMERICAS SOCIETY/ 68th street and Park Avenue and is was a sold out crowd!! The theme tonight was "GUITAR MUSIC OF THE AMERICAS" and featured Zaira Meneses ( Mexico ), Carlos Barbosa-Lima
( Brazil ) and a mesmerizing trio of Francisco Roldan,Guitar ( Colombia ),Carlo Valte, Oud ( Philippines) and Rex Benincasa, percussion ( USA ) .Zaira Meneses ( who is the wife of legendary Eliot Fisk ) started off  the evening by playing 3 pieces in the style of Weiss by Mexican composer Manuel M.Ponce. Attired  in a beautiful aqua blue gown she seemed to be just a little cautious in the 3 movements but exhibited an interesting interpretational  slant to the movements.I know this from the early days of my introduction to Maestro Segovia's recording. Zaira's insight was an interesting change of phrasing. Her instrument was a Cedar topped guitar which pretty well gave her what she wanted. I had to laugh a little inside as she pulled us into a false sense of quiet and tameness with the Prelude and Balleto then "unleashed the hounds for the Giga. There was an unbridled ferociousness that a couple of times almost got away from her but she reined it in. Her second choice was the devilish 3 movement Sonata of Cuban Virtuoso guitarist/composer LEO BROUWER! Zaira's interpretation of these 3 movements was "Out of this World" and was the finest performance I have heard bar none! It ranks up there with Julian Bream's recording. Pin point accuracy in note articulation was the order of the day! I really,really,really enjoyed her flawless execution and musicality! I am excited even now as I write up this post.Being in the front row center, I watched her dissect  the fingerboard with the accuracy of a surgeon! It was a glowing performance that made the audience wild. I have heard Zaira several times over the last several years and her performance of Brouwer's Sonata "rocked my world ". It had a bite that reminded me of the ferocious attack of her husband Eliot Fisk! WHEW!! She informed us that her choice of the Sonata was due to the fact that her mother is Cuban. She offered one encore- A Spanish/Mexican song that spoke of the strength of womanhood which opened with an accompaniment of harmonics. I bring up the execution of harmonics because she played the best balanced harmonics during her execution of the Brouwer Sonata. Too many guitarists throw away poorly balanced harmonics carelessly. Even some of the best artists have done this so this shows a very sensitive touch on her part and I heavily applaud this portion of her technical arsenal. By the way the song was gently sung in an innocent  voice whisked with the air of a floating cloud.She earlier made a comment about her being a woman and how women Guitarists were too often perceived as "Delicate" performers, Zaira showed us that she has it "ALL"- suave and gentle delicacy and a brute force volcano when the music calls for it!

Next up on the concert stage was one of the truly awe inspiring legendary Guitar Monsters of all times- ANTONIO CARLOS BARBOSA-LIMA! I have known Carlos since I believe 1968 when he gave his New York Debut presented by the Brazilian Embassy. I remember it as though it was yesterday because that debut had several repercussions for a great guitarist JOHN VARNER. John had just given his New York debut concert at Carnegie Recital Hall and got a glowing review in The New York Times. John was going to play several pieces that Carlos was playing so they -whoever the powers that be at this time heavily leaned on John to change his program so the Carlos debut would shine and John had to play some pieces that were not ready for concert platform consumption. I felt terrible for John. Carlos, of course was a Guitar Monster since he was a kid and over these several decades I have been able to hang out with him at various festivals and events and he continues to play as though he has the "MIDAS TOUCH"! His arrangements for guitar are supreme gems of outrageous ingenuity. He has so many intricate lines going on mixed with harmonics out of nowhere! Our front row just "ATE IT UP"!!! Since I have known and studied with the finest Classical and Jazz Guitarists in history, I can easily say that it is a true privilege and plum pleasing pleasure to watch Carlos spin that magic that only he can spin on our great instrument. For my money the two greatest arrangers in our Classical Guitar field is Carlos and my dear friend and colleague ROLAND DYENS. Carlos has such total command of what the instrument is capable of that he has you dropping your jaw in amazement at the ease in which he produces "Finger tongue twisters in front of you'!!!! We just look at each other, laugh in a "DID YOU SEE THAT" face and clammer for more. His selections tonight were gleamed from several gems of Latin American culture all of which are on his past few cds. Works were from Mexico,Spain and Brazil and his excellent Prenkert Guitar served him perfectly. As I mentioned earlier, watching Carlos work is and added joy as his great palette of tone produced with his right hand produces the perfectly articulated notes in balance,volume and tone that keep several lines in perfect balance.He also produces great effects of Brazilian instruments mixing Harmonics and Pizzacatos ( as in Aquarelles do Brazil ) This reminds me of the other "effects man from Brazil - LUIZ BONFA whom as a child Carlos studied with.I myself took a couple of lessons with Bonfa when he stopped by Mannys Music Store on 48h street. I suggest you jump on You Tube to experience the flawless playing of both Carlos and Luiz!

Rounding out this great night of opening concert treats was an absolutely stunning and unusual trioof Guitar,Oud and Percussion with Francisco Roldan/Guitar, Carlo Valte/ Oud and Rex Benincasa/Percussion, They weaved a wand of gently flowing mixtures of different rhythms by Lebonese composer Marcel Khalife ( Danse 1,5 & 3 ) and a composer from the Dominican Republic ( who was in the house and received an appreciative round of applause ) Rafael Landestoy ( born in 1925 !!). All three of the dances by Khalife floated on air and this trio was extremely tightly knit. The Oud player, Carlo Valte informed us that the music was for percussion and 2 Ouds so he had to arrange it for Guitar and as far as I was concerned it was perfectly realized in the fingering choices made. Let me also tell you that throughout these 3 dances by Khalife, the trios pin point accuracy was totally amazing! The tone quality on the guitar played by Francisco was perfectly realized to math the weight of the notes of the Oud played by Carlo. Of course the Oud does not have the volume of Guitar and uses a plectrum over a set of double strings but what an enjoyable cornucopia of sound and that blunt attack of the pick adds great bite to the rhythm and melodic line. I remember Francisco Roldan from over 20 years ago when we both performed on a concert series sponsored by the American Institute of the Guitar. It is here somewhere in this terrible looking front room of mine. Francisco was as perfect as can be producing extremely beautiful and solid tone all evening and I was amazed at how perfectly these great musicians were " pin point perfect ". The Dances popped with excitement and I am so happy my wife forced my wimpy butt out because she knows how deeply I am devoted to this instrument and know that even when I feel like crap, the Guitar switches me into YEAH YEAH MODE! Thanks Honey.

This year I attend the seminar just as an auditor since I did not know what kind of shape I would be in. I have suspended my "Music Under New York" gigs as this is my 17th year of non stop performing in public events and I really deserve to give myself a rest. I am eagerly looking forward to the next 5 days of forums as my days of performing may be only 30 years to go or so! Here I am at 63 performing like a young 18 year old. I have been checking out recordings of concerts I did in and around the City and I took things at warp speed sometimes and still have the same chops ( even better ). This seminar will fill in the blanks I have in efficient job management in the current computer age of marketing so that is why I am here for the next 5 days. The concerts will be cream and sugar for my management coffee. I will attend only a few masterclasses since I have grown up on masterclasses my whole life and really don't NEED anymore at this point. I may not be able to produce as much blog for the next 5 days as I did today but I will trickle down some observations as time and energy permits. Remember that at the end of each day there will be a concert to attend which means I will be getting home some time around 11pm at the earliest each night and will be getting up for some early performances so I can only do so much. It is 4:03 am and I better get my butt in for a little sleep. Gotta register at 10:30 this morning so adios partners!!! Sorry if I missed a few words in this post as my eyes are about to pop out of their sockets about now. Catch you next post!.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Mannes 2013 Guitar Seminar-"BE A PLAYER"

(WWW.MANNESGUITAR.COM)

Tonight is the opening concert for this year's MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR which will be held at the The Americas Society-680  Park Avenue at 7pm. As usual Festival Director Mariano Aguirre, has kept us well informed over the last several months leading up to this week's festivities.
 The central focus of this year's seminar is getting and creating job situations in this modern age of marketing.Artistic Directors Laura Oltman and Michael Newman, have once again assembled a group of great artists for this year's Master Classes,Concerts and workshops all of which are opened to the public.
Tomorrow morning ( Wednesday 10:30 - 12:00 ) is registration and from 1:30 to 4:00 each day is master class time with several outstanding artists instructing students on the details of musical performance.
Sprinkled at various times-usually just before dinner break,are forums on various aspects of making a living with this glorious instrument. Using tools of today's multifaceted computer techniques, our forums will supply us with the tools we need to get and create jobs for ourselves.I have spoken to several young players over the decades who have it all together artistically but fail in the marketing department because they are on their own unless they begin to make associations while in school. Since I am not on the College scene, I have heard that there have been some attempts to rectify that situation and I hope it is true because it is really
incredibly tough out here for young artists in this current society. This year's seminar should go a long way in preparing these kids for the big hustle of real life on the concert platform!

I will be an auditor this year as my health is not really up to my usual jumping around ,but I do hope that readers of this site will be encouraged to attend this great event starting with tonight's concert. Tonight's Concert is the only "Off Site" location during the Seminar.Starting tomorrow, all forums,Master Classes and concerts will be held on site at Mannes College ( 150 West 85th street ) through  Sunday, July 14th. For details on the seminar, go to the Mannes Website:

WWW.MANNESGUITAR.COM.

I can't promise you a detailed daily report but will try to leak some tidbits to you as my strength will allow.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIAN BREAM!!!!!

The magnificent JULIAN BREAM celebrates his 80th birthday this month and I am such a completely devoted fan of this legendary artist! Since my early days on the New York Classical Guitar scenes (1962/3), I have tried to get to every concert he had given in the New York City concert halls.This month's issue of Classical Guitar Magazine has Graham Wade give us a fast overview of the accomplishments of "BREAM the SUPREME" on pages 30-33. When Bream was last here in New York, he gave a two day master class and of course, I was there to catch his pearls of wisdom.
 I miss the magic spell of a Julian Bream Concert. He really produced an incredible variety of Classical Guitar colors each and every performance.Over thirty years ago I was seated in the front Balcony of Town Hall when he played a most incredible concert which featured Giuliani's Rosiniani #1. After his performance he mentioned that there were 5 more composed at which point I shouted from my seat "WE'RE WAITING"! He blushed a little and smiled. I later met him on stage and confessed that I was a fan and it was I from the balcony. I remember how impressed and moved I was by his performance of one of the Lute Suites and told him so. He replied that " It is a LUTE suite"! He mentioned that quip because I stated that he made the Guitar sound like a Lute somehow. Just before ROSE AUGUSTINE passed away, I spent a couple of hours with her at her factory playing and talking Guitar. Rose and I have known each other since the late 60s and she had asked me how I think she should approach Bream to get her 1940 Hauser Back from Bream ( She loaned it to Bream-It is the instrument housed at the Metropolitan Museum, made for Segovia but bought by her husband ALBERT AUGUSTINE). I told her call Bream and ask for it back!

I love the colors Bream would produce from any instrument he performed on! That magical right hand traveled from 12 fret to bridge in search of every possible color nuance to bring depth and breath to each composition. He was famous for the "Mid sound hole stroke and various degrees of Ponticello at the bridge!! His coloring and attack was always searching for just the most ambitious note articulation! Will we ever the this kind of magic again in the Classical Guitar World???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JULIAN AND MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE! CAN I STOP BY AND HAVE LUNCH WITH YOU SOME DAY?

Your Most Devoted Fan,
Don Witter,Jr.

P.S. I was the young African American man at your Manhattan Music School two day Masterclass in New York. I also mentioned to you that Jeffrey Elliott and Cindy passed on their hello.

Note: Bream toured for a year with a magnificent Jeffrey Elliot instrument. Bream and I both met Jeffrey in 1975. More on that in another post!

Saturday, May 25, 2013

The Magical World of JORGE CABALLERO - DAMN THAT KID IS GREAT!

Although I have a list of Guitar topics I want to share with you, I must once again speak of the total command of our instrument in the hands of the great PERUVIAN PHENOM- JORGE CABALLERO! Experience this young genius on YOU TUBE with his many videos and you will laugh at how A W E S O M E he is!!! Everyone who has heard him in concert or in Master Class have experienced G E N I U S ! This young man is so brilliant on so many levels and I could write a report on him every day detailing all the wonderful qualities he has but I just wanted to remind you that we have a Genius in our Classical Guitar / Musical Instrument podium! He is a gentle giant as you will find out if you meet him. I have to take a breath every time I think about him because he is as wonderful as Bream,Williams, Barrueco etc! He has already cemented his place on the " best of the best " podium. We are so fortunate to have him as part of our world and you have to make time to get to one of his Herculean Performances as soon as you can!!!! You will be transported into "THE OUTER LIMITS"!

Pia Gazarek-Offermann Delivers Poetry on Guitar-SPANISH GUITAR MASTERPIECES

PIA GAZAREK OFFERMANN is a poetic whiz on her 2009 fabulous KARL-HEINZ ROEMMICH instrument on her just released CD: Spanish Guitar Masterpieces! Three beautiful works from Spanish Composers are played with such verve and beauty opening up the CD with a very little played 2nd Sonata by Eduardo Lopez-Charvarri. The only time I heard this interesting work was in the 70s when it was on the Carnegie Recital Hall debut program of Mexican Virtuoso ALFONSO MORENO! It is a work that requires a sharp mind to interpret the many themes introduced in it's pages and Pia has all the "right stuff" both musically and technically to please us with this performance. It moved me so much that I went to the Lincoln Center Library to see if they had a copy of this Sonata because I remember there being one years ago and as my usual lucky streak continued, I found that copy and sat with it in my lap as I enjoyed my second listening of this CD. My first listening was the evening I first received the CD in the mail. At that time, I listened deeply and wrote a detailed account of each movement in the three works. I do hope that the name of PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN catapults to the top of your list of "MUST EXPERIENCE". Fortunately YOU TUBE has several cuts from her 1st CD "SATYAGRAHA" ( 2007 ) which included a stunning performance of the title track ( composed by my buddy BENJAMIN VERDERY) and a lovely performance of Benjamin Britten's  "NOCTURNAL".
  Getting back to this beautifully recorded CD, the other composers represented on this Lovely CD are Frederic Mompou and Antonio Jose. Segovia's recording of The Suite Compostelana by Mompou, still rings in my mind from my old LP ( do you kids know what that is? ). Pia's interpretation is full of sweet nuance and delicate phrasing that throws new light on this very little played work.This work gives the artist six beautifully defined pieces each with another look into the magical world of the Spanish soul. I feasted on each and every movement as Pia's superior use of phrasing and articulation showered the movements with such ingenuity and delicacy. Ending this beautifully packaged CD is that Impressionistic Sonata by Antonio Jose that just flows through it's movements with the thoughtful stamp of thorough artistry by Pia. Three solid works played with superior artistry and several levels of interpretative ingenuity is evident with this beautifully packaged work of art. The sound of the recording is absolutely perfect as it caught the slightest hint of musical utterance by Pia. Let me tell you that her fantastic instrument - a 2009 KARL-HEINZ ROEMMICH - is one of the great instruments being played. I had a chance to try it out in 2010 when Pia was here in New York for two concerts and let me tell you, it is one of those guitars that just "PLAYS ITSELF". I told her "CAN I HAVE THIS"?. I was bowled over when I started to play this magnificent instrument. It has such an easy response to any articulation you could want. With an instrument like this as your vehicle of musical expression, the universe is your sound palette and with an exceptional artist as PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN , we are fortunate to have a brilliant ambassador of our music and instrument proudly representing us on the concert stage. Please jump on to YOU TUBE to experience this wonderfully gifted artist and if you are looking for someone special to present in concert, think of Pia. You will not regret a note!

Don Witter,Jr
member NYCCGS / CGSUNY

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

What I would Love to have Seen and Heard

In the recent Play/demo offered by my young friend RUPERT BOYD at the Metropolitan Museum of a couple of Museum Rare Instruments, I wish he would have been given permission to play SEGOVIA'S Ramirez and Hauser. As inspected the two instruments through the glass case, they looked ready to dance! When we have an opportunity to aurally taste great instruments, we should be given full rein to make music live on any instrument fit to play.Before posting my review of the event, I just want to thank Rupert for playing so magnificently that afternoon. I has the best seat in the house-right in front of Rupert so  I really got an "EAR FULL" of the sound of each instrument. I felt that the RENE LACOTE ( 1853 ) could have used Gut Strings. About 35 years or so ago, I played a period instrument with gut strings and it was a revelation to be taken into the past sound world that day with the scratchy but sweet sound of those strings. I may be wrong but the Lacote didn't seem to have gut strings but I didn't inspect it closely as the curaters were close by and I didn't want any problems.

What I would have Loved to see and heard were all instruments in "PERIOD GARB" with the contemporary
string tension and of course period music! I would have say played the Sor Variations on the Lacote 1st and then the Ramirez,Hauser and finally the Smallman and Sons. By the way, when GREG SMALLMAN first appeared on the scene, I tried it at BEVERLY MAHERS Guitar Salon here in New York and it had the nastiest Nasal sound! Tremendously loud compared to any guitar but the sound was extremely acrid to my ears. Of course there was no shortage of folks lining up to buy one thanks to the great JOHN WILLIAMS. I was so happy that there were modifications made when Smallman had his sons interact with him because they became true "Dream Guitars". I have tried a few Smallman and Sons over the last several years and they are DREAMS!!!

I would love to be able to play the same composition on "Guitars Through the Ages" and also be able to look and compare the construction,touch and playability of each on a video. Check out what is being done by Guitar Salon International on their website as they present various historical instruments for our pleasure. I have tried great instruments over the decades including some of the greatest Luthiers and I never get tired of making each instrument sound the best it can! With today's extreme range of building techniques, we are in a great world of hard decisions when it comes to selecting a concert worthy instrument. Good luck to those of you who are in the search.

This post is just the beginning of several having to do with selecting a guitar for concert use and I hope that I can shed some light on the process. Check the web for pertinent info and keep that GUITAR LOVE alive!

Gotta have dinner or my wife will spank me!

Don

CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE/JULIA CROWE/CARLOS BONELL

Every month I lick the pages of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE and want to thank my dear colleague and friend MAURICE SUMMERFIELD for doing our INTERNATIONAL Guitar Community a great service with this Great Magazine! Maurice has been recognized many times for his daily tribute to the Classical and Jazz Guitar world and will once again be Honored at this years' GFA Convention in Louisville Kentucky ( June 25-30). What a great human being to have in our Guitar world!!! He has also Chosen his staff creatively and wisely and I continue to be in awe of what this magazine has done to further our knowledge in so many Guitar areas! B R A V O    M A U R I C E !!!!!!!!!!!

I have been working on a few projects related to this great magazine but will hold up on announcements until I complete them. I must also once again salute the incredibly diversely talented young woman JULIA CROWE for her monthly informative column "LETTER FROM NEW YORK". It was I who suggested to Maurice that there should be a monthly column covering the incredible vibe of the New York Guitar Scene. I kind of offered myself as a possible Guitar man about town but I was so happy that the duties were handed to this greatly and awesomely talented expert of the English Language. JULIA CROWE is our best and also an excellent Guitarist/Composer of Music for the Electric Guitar. Her fantastic writing spreads out to so many diverse periodicals.She is so articulate and thorough and I must once again point out that wonderful new book of hers "MY FIRST GUITAR". It doesn't get any better than that! If you love the Guitar, you must run out and get a copy of that book N O W !!!!!

I have been in email contact with the great Virtuoso Guitarist/Teacher CARLOS BONELL who has been transposing great info from his own web page to CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE for the past several issues-all of which have been clean,clear and to the point.So helpful are these tidbits I would hope that maybe down the road they are collected as a book of priceless information on so many great Guitar Topics that will make us all better players! I reminded Carlos how supremely impressed I was when he last gave New York the pleasure of his artistry about 15/20 years ago at the 92nd Street "Y". He was playing a great Fleta that just dripped all sorts of Colors from his great articulation palette! I was the first to greet him in the Green Room after the concert as he was still sweating from that awesome display of gorgeous music making.
I remember he wore an extremely colorful shirt that I loved and his playing was so damn perfect. He reminded me of JOHN WILLIAMS total command of the instrument! Not one note dropped!! W H E W !
Anyway ( and I don't mean ROLANDS' wonderful composition ), just wanted to post these comments as they occurred to me while writing my previous comments!

Donnie

Time Flys by- So Much to do - So little time

Just touching base with you to let you know I am still alive and kicking. Since I turned 63 last month, I have been thinking a lot about me and the Guitar scene here in New York and decided I wanted to withdraw from all the hectic pace of "The Scene". Since I divide myself between the Classical Guitar scene and the Jazz Scene, I decided that I would be best served coming to my "Donnie Guitar Growth Scene". I am having a great time slamming down videos from you tube and learning so much about this great instrument. I get daily email lessons and am just swamped with so much, I can't keep up!

Coming up in short order is a continuation of PART 2 - Pia Gazarek-Offermann. I also have a review of her New CD-"SPANISH GUITAR MASTERPIECES" . Also hot on the trail will be my review of the wonderful CD by GOHAR VARDANYAN " PAISAJES". That will be followed by a review of the lovely concert/demo given at The Metropolitan Museum in the RARE INSTRUMENTS COLLECTION by Australian/American young tiger RUPERT BOYD! I have closely followed all three of these special talents for at least a decade and am so damn proud of them all as they have progressed to wonderful levels of great artistry and deserve to be recognized for their great achievements! As you know, it is so incredibly crazy in today's world to ply our trade and move forward as there are so few opportunities out there and one hell of a legion of kids coming out of our Music Conservatories with diplomas in hand and no where to go! They have got to make their own careers in their own way!

I would hope that with my having been on this New York Guitar Scene since 1962/1963 , I can make you aware of all the wealth there is to acknowledge in today's plucking world! I get no payment for this. It is my pure love of the Guitar that pushes me forward with this blog and I know that I have a lot to offer,so I look forward to sharing my experiences, past,present and future with you.

I am still out here in the MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK program performing around town and will be in the  " Taste of Times Square Celebration" Monday June 3rd. I played as part of the Grand Central Anniversary a couple of months ago and look forward to being outside June 3rd for another New York City celebration.

I am trying to get my website updated (www.donsguitarsite.com) as that baby has been collecting dust since some portions are not working (like my updating functions and calendar/reviews) so I will be posting various announcements on this blog until these little babies are fixed. I am also looking around the net for the best Guitar Forums and as I find them, I will let you know.

That is all for now. Keep on plucking out there!

Donnie Guitar

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

My intentions from here on - This weeks' action!

I will try to be of service to the young and gifted artists out there plus some of the wealth of experiences I have had since my appearance on the New York Guitar Scene since 1962 here in New York. As I stated a couple of posts ago, since turning 63 this month, I will take the next two years off from being in every crack and crevice of the New York City Classical/Jazz Guitar scene to concentrate on my own Playing and several outstanding Guitar projects. I must give you a heads up later on about all the great Guitar action: Tomorrow RUPERT BOYD at 2:30 at the Met of Art, Thursday the brilliant and dazzling JASON VIEAUX will be lecturing at the New York City Classical Guitar Society and Friday will give his usual superlative performance at the International Guitar Series sponsored by the Guitar Society and on Saturday in New Jersey there will be a wonderful Guitar Festival at The William Patterson University in New Jersey which will feature the young legendary Phenomenal Peruvian Titan JORGE CABALLERRO in Concert! This great artist must be experienced because he, at his young age is a great one in THE HISTORY OF MUSIC BARING INSTRUMENT DESIGNATION!!! Also the unusual Solo JAZZ Guitar Artistry of the fantastic musical genius JOHN STOWELL!! This artist has his own way of looking at the Guitar that will also astound you in his great creativity. His great teaching video is online at You Tube and you will learn some truly spectacular techniques with him. I HEARTILY Recommend you view the great performances of JORGE CABALLERRO on You Tube! He will knock you off your feet with his other worldly performances especially his performance of the PICTURES at An EXHIBITION ! I have followed this legendary artist since his days at The Manhattan School of Music where he stunned The Assad Brothers in their Masterclass with an impeccable performance of  a work by Bach. JORGE continues to stun all who attends his performances with the most outstanding interpretations of all he plays. Count this young man with the greats already in the vanguard of Music History. I know my Guitar Artists and this man is a M O N S T E R up there with BREAM,WILLIAMS,SEGOVIA and any other of the greats of our beloved instrument! So- hopefully you will get to spend a day at William Patterson this Saturday for the mere $20 bucks.


Reviews and thoughts to come Pia,Rupert,Gohar and others

I will be posting part two of a 3 part overview of the work of German Guitar Virtuoso PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN and a followup to my just posted bit on RUPERT BOYD. That will continue with another look at the brilliance of GOHAR VARDANYAN, who last month was in town to perform for the New York City Classical Guitar Society. I was looking forward to attending to cheer my dear colleague on but just got out of the hospital and was too weak to travel. For more on these great young artists, I suggest you bathe in their greatness by going to You Tube for examples of their artistry! You will not be disappointed!

The Genius of Virtuoso, RUPERT BOYD at The Met Tomorrow May 1st

I must let you know that the brilliant young Australian/American Guitar Virtuoso RUPERT BOYD ( www.rupertboyd.com ) will be giving a demo tomorrow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 2:30 free of charge in the Musical Instruments Collection ( Gallery 684 ) during which he will trace the development  of he Classical Guitar by playing several instruments from the Museums' Cillection starting with a 19th Century Lacote, formally owned by the Legendary Genius JULIAN BREAM. The demo/trace will end with compositions played  on Ruperts' fantastic Greg Smallman and Sons ( 2011 ). I have followed the rise of this great, young virtuoso for over a decade and he has always performed with the highest of musicianship and virtuosity and is one of our truly young greats in the Classical Guitar world. I strongly suggest you make a fast trek tomorrow to this special event. I will be there to catch the magic of RUPERT as he tastes the great instruments which will give us a fine measure of how far the Classical Guitar has come in it's expressive ability and volume projection. I will have more on this great young artist as a followup or lead in to tomorrows' demo.For now I suggest you zoom into his website ( www.rupertboyd.com ) and jump on to You Tube to revel in the wonderful sounds and sights of this brilliant young artist who continues to amaze us with his great playing!

Don Witter,Jr.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Pia Gazarek-Offermann Plays Spanish Guitar Masterpieces-Part 1

I am proud to announce the appearance of the 2nd CD by the great German Virtuoso Guitarist PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN.Since I received this exceptional recording a week ago, I have listened to it several times and have written several reviews written from different angles.I have tried my dear friends' patience by delaying my review over the last few days because I want to give a full account of where this great artist is at this point in her career so good things take time. Since I have the luxury of this blog, I can write as much as I want without having my words truncated to meet a publications word limit so I will be doing a 2 part overview of this great artist because she deserves it!

We have been played a little text tag this week as I tried to research more about my colleague and I just have to get down to the task at hand first of the CD.

On this excellent CD "SPANISH GUITAR MASTERPIECES", Pia Gazarek-OFFERMANN performs the works on a magnificent 2009 KARL-HEINZ ROEMMICH  ( roemmich-guitars.com ). I have first hand knowledge of how great this instrument is because I played it when Pia was last here in New York in 2010 to perform for the New York Classical Guitar Society and The Long Island Guitar Festival. That instrument
" plays itself "! You can realize the slightest musical utterance in such an "awesome" instrument. I immediately told her "Can I have it?". On the CD Pia opens the door wide and deep into the most spectacular world of Guitar colors and articulations all in the great service of the music.What stands out for me was the way in which she weighs the importance of each and every note and phrase that makes the music proud of being performed by her. Time and time again I was drawn into the way in which she attacked and caressed the phrases. I am familiar with all three works on the program: SONATA #2 by Eduardo Lopez-Chavarri , SUITE COMPOSTELANA by Federico Mompou  and SONATA by Antonio Jose. I was happy to see a very little played Chavarri Sonata on the CD because I remember it as though it was yesterday when I first heard it played in the 70's at Carnegie Recital Hall when the brilliant Mexican Virtuoso ALFONSO MORENO performed it at his New York Debut! In the gifted hands of Pia Gazarek-Offermann, the many varied textures in the composition were crafted with expertise and knowing musical understanding.The thematic variety in this composition will surely challenge the greatest musical minds in make coherent sense of so much variety but Pia is up to the task. I would hope that this heavily ignored composition will get a second look now that Pia has given such an excellent reading! The other two works on the program are well known Spanish works: SONATA by Antonio Jose ( Performed several decades ago by my dear colleague RICARDO IZNAOLA ) and The SUITE COMPOSTELANA by Federico Mompou. What Pia does is to make these works one jewel after another.Her use of tone color,phrasing and articulation is of the highest realm of execution which makes the music sings it's best song. At my 1st hearing of the CD Friday April 12th , I wrote down my review of each and every movement and when I get the wind restored to me and am ready to type it all, I will post it here as a part 2. Let me congratulate my dear and magnificent colleague and frind on another great job well done. Folks you must attend her concerts if at all possible because when in this musical world we yearn for our hearts to be touched and senses awakened , here is someone who does just that and more. PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN must be experienced!

Don Witter,Jr.
member of NYCCGS

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Back in Business after being sick

I am so happy to be back. Things were going well until the sick bell rang for me with Diabetic complications that landed me in the hospital for a week! Well I am slowly getting back to work playing around the city. I just turned 63 this last Saturday April 6th and I have decided that for the next 2 years I will stay out of the general scene hanging at concerts and workshops to concentrate on making ME a GREAT PLAYER! I will be spending more time on this blog helping to support my love of the guitar in  my own way.

This year you should try to make it to the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR as the main focus will be how to make that career in marketing yourself as a Guitarist! I already paid for my week's stay and I think I will go to the GFA for the fun of it. You won't see me at the Guitar Society either as I really concentrate on things I need to address as I work on myself. There are so many things I yet have to get done and this recent bout in the hospital opened my eyes to a few important things in life.

I have just received a new CD from my dear colleague in Germany PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN and will be reviewing it in my next post. I listened to the hour long CD from 12:30 to 01:30 am this morning and am excited to bring you this review. As you know I have covered this great artist before and believe she is a magical player who will cast a magical musical glow over all who experience her artistry so stay tuned to the Donnie Channel !

I must thank the great and beautiful DAVID LEISNER for remembering my birthday on FACE BOOK! LOVE YOU BUDDIE!!!

A big shout out goes to the great publisher of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE, MAURICE SUMMERFIELD who will be honored at the GFA this year. Thanks  Maurice for my monthly pages of Guitar Joy!

My sadness for not attending the concert of one of my guitar heroes - GOHAR VARDANYAN! I was too weak to travel anywhere after being in the hospital for the preceding week but I know she glowed like the great jewel she is!!!!

You must check out the new pod casts produced BRET WILLIAMS. His 1st show interviewed my dear colleague JULIA CROWE! What an incredible person she is! In the second interview, Bret interviewed the great young virtuoso RUPERT BOYD! Rupert is really way up there near the top of the list of great artists and such a sweet young man. I have been a great fan of his for over decade and if you ever get a chance to hear him R U S H   TO GET THAT TICKET! This young man has it all together. WWW.RUPERTBOYD.COM.

I think that is it for now kiddies! It is 4:04 Saturday Morning and I as PUMPED up to get back here in business.

FORBES HENDERSON in England! I have not forgotten you! I will be doing our thing with the mister BACH in due time.

As I remember England, I must hug DAVID CASWELL for being such a wonderful artist! I spent some quality time with DAVID who is a monster Player when I attended WEST DEAN in 1997/1999. I have a cassette of us playing for each other that hits all  10's! Thanks DAVID.

When my wife and I vacationed in Puerto Rico, I had the great joy of visiting two great artists : ERNESTO CORDERO and JUAN SORROCHE!!! I spent a wonderful evening with Maestro Cordero that I will never forget.His hospitality was amazing and he treated me like a king!!! When I was able to catch JUAN SORROCHE at the University of Puerto Rico, he spent about and hour with me as he read through his wonderful compositions for me! That is one of the reasons why I am taking off the next two years from the New York Guitar scene. I want to present a Puerto Rican Guitar program ( which I promised to both of these greats ). Need the time to prepare. Outside of some native Puerto Rican artists, hardly any one is playing their beautiful. I just received an email from Maestro Cordero a couple of days ago with a video of a new work. I am humbled that he took the time to contact me.

My stay in the hospital slapped me silly with thoughts of things I should concentrate on from here in and I made a mental list of what I want to get done and promises to keep so here I go.Thanks for letting me air this online and I hope to be a valuable voice in our Classical/Jazz Guitar world.

DONNIE GUITAR!!!

p.s. I cannot leave this without hugging my dear and loving wife who has stood by me.This July will be our 26th wedding anniversary. We have been been together 28 years!! W H E W !!! I am a lucky man to have such an incredible human being as my wife is and I know she can't stand my shouting her praises to such a public audience, but I dearly love this special human being and I almost daily tell her I don't deserve her but I do my best to please her. WHAT A PAIR!!! She has stood by me for: a stent implant,Quadruple bypass,Prostate Cancer and two nasty bouts with diabetic complications. When I had the Prostate Cancer I spent the whole month of December that year 5 days a week getting Radiation treatment by the worst situation was the Bypass as I had to get my butt walking so slowly and feeling like a weak kitten. She made sure I had my progress every day and especially those days when I just wanted to pull the cover over my head and disappear. She also made come incredible meals for me. What a champion human being I married.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Mr. "100" does Grand Central Station February

This past Friday February 1st, I performed as part of the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Grand Central Station. I consider this a great honor as played my heart out from 3pm to 6pm at the Graybar Building. This was under my regular gigs as part of  The "Music Under New York" program of the New York City Transit Authority. As I write this post at 7:39am Sunday Morning the 3rd, I will be popping out to do a 9am to12pm gig at Penn Station. I will be 63 in April and just keep getting better and better as I keep learning more about our fabulous instrument!!!

Since I only have a couple of minutes to write this, I need to let you know that I just watched a really precious documentary on the Legendary Brazilian Great BADEN POWELL on You Tube. Go and check out "O Univera Musical De Baden Powell ". It runs for 54:23 and I just watched the whole video and took notes! I was turned on to Baden when as a teenager I befriended the great CHARLIE BYRD. He played at the Plaza Hotel ( 59th Street across the street from central park). Charlie and I spoke after his gig and he invited me up to his Hotel Room the next day and we talked and played for each other and it was at that time he said he had just come back from Brazil and I MUST check out this guy - BADEN POWELL!!!!! Well that started a lifelong love and collection of the great Maestro. Sorry this has to be cut short but it is time to dress for the gig. See you later today as I continued this lucky life of mine!.

DONNIE GUITAR

Monday, January 14, 2013

More to Come from the DONNIE EXPRESS

Over the last week there was so much happening and I decided that I could not get to it all but I did get to see two long time buddies" MICHAEL CEDRIC SMITH and ARYEH ELLER this past Friday Night in their First Duo Concert together and yesterday one of the truly great young concert artists whom I have known for a couple of Decades - DANIEL LIPPLE gave us an extraordinary concert that really rocked on a 1998 ROBERT RUCK Guitar. More about both concerts in separate reviews. I must ask forgiveness for not attending the brilliant Guitar/Flute ARC DUO. I had too much on my plate both having two gigs on their concert day leaving me drained.

I have more interviews and reviews coming to you folks. I have my "To DO" list right here at the computer and will get to all of my promises!

I will be seeing you all at the GFA in a few months. Don't know if I will be going as a competitor but will be there because my man Eliot Fisk and Anielo Desiderio will be kicking serious Guitar butt and I want to be there for all the fireworks!!!

I also am gathering a list of sites you should know about to sharpen your playing. I sincerely believe that you should all learn to cross fertilize your playing by learning different styles of guitar playing.

I am devoting this year to me becoming the best I can be.I was destroyed and heartbroken at the recent GFA SYMPOSIUM here in New York when I was not chosen to perform at the evening concert. I played a perfect medley of pieces by Brazilian Virtuoso LUIZ BONFA in an effort to give them something special and was on the top of my game both musically and technically. My friends and colleagues DR. ANA MARIA ROSADO and DENNIS KOSTER came over to me when they saw I was going to audition and told me to "GIVE THEM HELL DONNIE". When I didn't get a slot, I was stunned and deeply hurt so I left. I was supposed to play in the Guitar Orchestra and do an interview about playing in ensembles.Here I was with many of my colleagues here including FRED HAND whom I attended Mannes College with in 1967-1968 and ANDREW YORK whom I have known for a couple of decades. The two judges are well known and I will not name them. They know who they are and one of them I have had difficulty with before involving and incredibly gifted virtuoso artist from Germany. My best revenge is to make sure I embarrass them with my playing. I have been on the New York Classical and Jazz Guitar Scene since 1962/1963 and have studied with the finest Classical and Jazz Guitarists in history both here and abroad and I am physically ill as I remember that day. I was humiliated beyond belief and probably should not even say something on this international platform about this incident but this moment haunts me deeply and these two judges will hear from me in the future as I will prevail in front of their eyes.

Sorry I had to state this but I am decently respected by quite a few people around the world and I have given my heart and soul to this great and noble instrument and  that was just not right! Enough for now. I will continue to let my playing talk volumes.

Hugs to MAURICE SUMMERFIELD and that noble magazine CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE for making me love the Classical Guitar and it's various avenues of information as we are kept abreast of all the daily happenings around the world with our great instrument. This year if I stay in decent health and step on the gas peddle, I hope to devote several posts to the great articles contained in this wonderful magazine. I call it my "MONTHLY PAGES OF JOY".

Folks for some Great Guitar fun you should pick up a copy of "My FIRST GUITAR" by Classical Guitar Magazine columnist  JULIA CROWE ( Letter from New York). A great Read!

When is my buddy HUBERT KAPPEL coming back this way to stun us with his virtuosity? How about the GREEK PHENOM COSTAS COTSIOLIS!

Folks it is crazy trying to travel these days! Every year I try to go to the most prominent Festival that would feed my hunger for more learning and the tickets for air fare kicks my butt heavily! It is a tough world our there especially for all the young and gifted kids trying to start their concert careers. I feel for you all. There are so many details you have to attend to and even when you think things are covered, out of nowhere you are shot down by weather, unforeseen obstacles and just bad luck. You must maintain your passion and continue to march to your goals. I will try to make people aware of you this year through this blog.

If I had the money, I would fund one of our young tigers to record all of the SEGOVIA ARCHIVE . Angelo Gilardino will be here for a couple of days at the Manhattan School of Music next month and I will speak to him about that possibility ( Not me) How about my superman Guitarist JORGE CABALLERO? Pay him some good bucks and let him loose!

What about the great body of work composed by MARIO CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO! So many delicious pieces unplayed!!!!! How about the PUERTO RICAN GUITAR? ERNESTO CORDERO and JUAN SORROCHE ?

I wish there was a Classical/Jazz Guitar magazine devoted to Female Guitarists!

It is a shame WORLD GUITARIST is down the tubes! That was a great and supportive site!

I miss ROSE AUGUSTINE! I knew her since the early 60s and in fact played for a special concert at her original string factory when she recovered one of her rare Guitars. I loved that woman dearly and was stunned that week she died because I had just visited her at her factory and she was coughing and told me she had that cough for a couple of weeks. I would have been at her wake that Friday night if I had known. She died in the beginning of that week and I was on several discussion groups and no one mentioned it. I found out Saturday night when Eliot Fisk announced it from his concert stage!!! We have got to band together in our Guitar community. This woman was a Saint for us and I don't know how Guitar Review is doing without her.

Congratulations for my buddy JOAO LUIZ of the Fabulous Brazil Guitar Duo on receiving a teaching post at New Jersey City! What a genius this kid is!!!!

Celil Rafik-Kaya is a monster player and get to one of his concerts and check him out. You will by amazed!!

That's it for now. It is 1:28 am Tuesday and I have a gig later today and should get some sleep but must spread some thoughts out there.

Garrett Lee makes a fantastic guitar. Just ask my school buddy FRED HAND!!! And let me make Garrett Blush by letting you know that he is one hell of a guitarist! What a beautiful player and master Luthier. Go to his website! W  O  W !!!!!! Really super detailed and awe inspiring!!!

I have several Newly released CDs by several colleagues I will be reviewing so be on the lookout!

German Virtuoso PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN will soon be releasing a new CD and I can't wait to review that! She is a great artist deserving to be better known around the Guitar globe!

DR. ANA MARIA ROSADO!!!! Fantastic human being and superb concert Artist. I was at her first concert here in the United States when she came from Puerto Rico. It was held here in Brooklyn at Prospect Park at "The Boat House" . Check out her You Tube Videos. She gave an awesome Lecture/Demo of Latin American Rhythms at the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR a couple of years ago and plays Guitars by one of our greatest Luthiers CANADIAN DARYL PERRY. We should have DR. ROSADO at the top of our list of "GREAT ONES".

See ya soon kiddies!@!

international Guitar Night at The Blue Note! Part #1

I just came back from the Blue Note Jazz Club where I sat right at the stage for an A W E S O M E International Guitar Night which included the following great Virtuoso Guitarists: BRIAN GORE , MARTIN TAYLOR, CELSO MICHADO and SOLORAZAF! Before I jump up and down in my post I must say that this was my second International Guitar Night put together by Fingerstyle guitarist BRIAN GORE. My first was last year at a Club called The Highlight. My reason for going last year was two of my favorite guitar Monsters of two different Guitar disciplines : Adrian  Legg and Marco Pereira. They were joined last year by an awesome Gypsy Jazz Guitarist - Lulo Reinhardt who was simply A M A Z I N G !!!

Tonight's Guitar night was another HUMDINGER!!!!! As is the established format, Brain is the leader who starts off by playing 3 compositions and each Virtuoso in turn follows with three selections and that is followed by the stage with all 4 guitarists playing various groupings. I just wanted to kick off a two part report on this great event with some observations on my part and in part two I will share my notes with you on performance details!

I, as usual showed up a couple of hours early so I could get my meal eaten and of course get a prime seat. I get so anxious that I rest most of the day so my concentration can be razor sharp.Doors opened at 6pm and I was in at 6:15, so I had no problem getting a great seat for the 8pm performance. I was at the Club last night and was going to treat myself to John Pizzarelli and Ramsey Lewis, but there was only standing room at the bar available. I had planned to catch them then head over to The Fat Cat club for a 9:30 to 1am gig by the great Sheryl Bailey. I skipped both due to the dead time in between gigs which made me want tonight's special gig even more attractive. We are so lucky here in New York to be able to enjoy so many musical events. Anyway I had the company at my table of a young kid who sat across from me just before starting time but before that,a couple sat next to me and the wife ( Alice ) introduced her and husband to me and we spent some time getting acquainted. What a lovely twosome. We were joined by another young man who is a computer specialist and it seems that Alice's husband is a professor in the Sciences so he and the young man had a stimulating discussion about their work. Heavy duty talk here!!! Back to the gig. Starting with Brian, as I noticed last year, his playing of steel string acoustic guitar is so beautiful! I am a stickler for beautiful tone and his is so full and round. He spends most of his articulation with the hand mid hole. I should have asked him the name of the Luthier! What a joy to listen to.The new kid on the block was this great Guitarist/singer from Madagascar SOLORAZAF! He played a "souped up" what looked like a "TRAVEL" guitar but what a great and beautiful sound. Then Brain anointed Martin Taylor as Guitar King. Martin's big super career has been long and distinguished which as a young kid made him a household name when he toured with the legendary STEPHAN GRAPELLI for several years. The other notable Guitarist who coupled with the greatness of Grapelli was legendary DJANGO REINHARDT!!!!! Last on the end was the Brilliant Guitarist and percussionist CELSO MACHADO!!! What a tremendous ball of creativity this man is! I've known about him for quite a few years and heard him in concert at the 92nd street "Y" at a Brazilian Guitar Marathon. I will have more about this astounding artist in part two where I get in down to the business of describing all the little details of their performances! The only thing that plagues the BLUE NOTE are the small tables but I will say that the staff is thoroughly professional,cheerful and super quick with your food/drink service. They only employ the finest musicians in the world so it is worth it to spend some big bucks for a special musical experience. Stay tuned for part 2 of my review. It is 12.03 Tuesday morning and I just want to take a break and get myself ready for it. Getting my little note book and figuring out how much to clobber you with! It's all good folks and I am excited to be able to share my experience with you. SEE YA SOON!

Friday, January 11, 2013

Happy 2013 - This and That !

Happy 2013 folks! I needed a rest from posting because I am just trying to look to the future. I hug all of you who know me around the Classical/Jazz Guitar world and hope you are all doing well. I just sent an e-mail to the great young Guitarist GOHAR VARDANYAN after receiving an e-mail from her. As my 1st post for the new year other than this "HAPPY 2013", I will be reviewing the new CD of GOHAR VARDANYAN   "PAISAJES" for you. She passed through Penn Station here in New York during one of my Sunday Morning gigs soon after we met at ANA VIDOVICs Concert sponsored by the New York Classical Guitar Society. I have had quite a jammed packed life doing my thing! I was at the New York GFA Symposium and several other concerts. In fact as I write this post, I am gearing up for a Duo Guitar Concert by two excellent Colleagues ARYEH ELLER and MICHAEL CEDRIC SMITH. We have off an on drizzle but that won't stop the DONNIE GUITAR CRAZE from happening. As soon as I get back tonight, I will share my concert experience with you! They are both magnificent artists. The Concert will be at  St. Stephens of Hungary Church beginning at 7:30 .- 414 East 82nd Street (between 1st and York Avenue)
Admission is $15 and children are free! The just performed a couple of months ago at the New York City Guitar Society Meeting and were great! I missed the last society meeting where I scheduled to play with other members but had a paying gig for 3 hours just before the start of the meeting so I may missed them.

ANYWAY! ( My dear friend ROLAND DYENS GFA competition piece will be performed by Martha Masters in April at the International Guitar Series sponsored by the New York City Classical Guitar Society April 5th ) - I am hoping to get my blog act together this year. I can't be spending too much time online since I am gigging just about every day for several hours and I am preparing to attend the GFA this year and yet have to figure if I want to give it a try! My thoughts are to be the oldest winner of the competition by that may only be a "Mind Game" for me. I know of the competition piece but I will be there anyway to bow down to two of my favorite SUPERSTARS = Eliot Fisk  and that super guitar monster from ITALY = Aniello Desiderio!! You have got to check out Aniello s You Tube VIDEOS!!!! What and amazing Artist. Of course I have followed Eliot since 1975 at the Toronto International Competition! Eliot will slam you silly with his over the top impression of a :GUITAR VOLCANO! Eliot is one of a kind! If you want to scare yourself silly, just buy and listen to his performance of the Paganini  Caprices and turn up the volume!!! W H E W !!! T H A T IS A TRUE GUITAR MONSTER!@!!!@!

I will be turning 63 in April and still am crazy about the guitar! Since my QUADRUPLE  bypass operation a couple of years ago, I started performing only 2 months after surgery. This year marks my 17th year as a member of MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK, and am so proud of my longevity as I bring the Classical and Jazz Solo Guitar to every day people around New York. Sometimes I play two gigs a day with just a little rest in between.This year as I get ready for a GFA VISIT in July, I am stepping hard on the GAS peddle to cement my best playing. My playing continues to grow and I am still enjoying every little note and technique I learn. I look at the Guitar as a "LAP PIANO" and play it as such!

Well I have gotta get my concert ears ready. I feels so good to get my butt in gear with this post. I am devoting a huge portion of my posts this year to all the great young artists out there who need to be recognized - especially the woman! Speak to you all tonight after the concert!! Hope I didn't make too many grammatical errors as my mind is racing like crazy with great enthusiasm!