Saturday, January 28, 2012
PEPE ROMERO TEACHES POETRY - PART 1
A few days have passed since my two days of Masterclasses with that LEGENDARY VIRTUOSO - PEPE ROMERO and I am still so happy to have been there at The Manhattan School of Music for this momentus occasion! I could not make the first Class this past Monday because I was worn out by my own 4 hour gig at the Staten Island Ferry.I was in heaven on Wednesday the last day as Pepe sat next to me while listening to the students, which afforded me a chance to have some private conversation with PEPE. I will tell you that I was stunned at how few people attended the masterclasses the two days I was there-especially Tuesday! I guess my love for this great instrument has always had me wonder why an International and Historically important artist like PEPE ROMERO did not draw a respectable audience! What a shame in this case because the wealth of information that was passed on by this 68 year young Genius was priceless! Each and every student miraculously improved after receiving instructions from the Maestro!I was so proud of these young chargers and see that the future of our great instrument is in very capable hands. This is just an opening post for a more detailed set of posts on this great event. Over the last few days at my gigs, the PEPE ROMERO EFFECT has made me notice that even my playing took another step up in execution and musicality as seen in my tips! I want to share these wonderful jewels of instruction with you in the coming posts,so stay hungry and please forgive the time lapses in between because I am a working musician and am playing several hours almost every day of the week and at my 61 years young, I need some extra vitamin c and e to get some gusto in my walk. I can't believe that in April I will be 62 because I am out there like a 30 year old and am enjoying every minute I can play in public. See you in part two of the PEPE ROMERO CLASS!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
SUPER VIRTUOSO WOLFGANG LENDLE/ANIELLO DESIDERIO
If you want to be shocked into the realm of Herculean Classical Guitar prowess, please ruch to you tube and experience the "AWESOME" Guitar work of the great German Virtuoso WOLFGANG LENDLE!! I know I have mentioned him before but he must be recognized as a true "GUITAR MONSTER"! This man just "tears it up"! I have just been listening and watching one of his many videos and let me tell you he is one of our most amazing virtuosos on ANY instrument! What a G I A N T !!!! I met him over a decade ago here in New York at I believe Manhattan School of Music or the Spanish Institute. I was front center and he just tore my head off with the most amazing ROBERT RUCK Cedar Top Guitar and a virtuosity that body slammed my senses~! So clean and pinpointed was his technique and what a superlative musician! What note articulation supremacy! Gorgeous tone and superb phraasing! We are indebted to our internet that allow us to witness such greatness. I could watch him all day and night!
Another Guitar God in the Classical Realm is the magnificent Italian Virtuoso : ANIELLO DESIDERIO! A truly virtuosic giant if there ever was one! So check him out!
Good Guitar Listening. I'm sure I will be letting you know about more greats we get a chance to meet on the net!
Another Guitar God in the Classical Realm is the magnificent Italian Virtuoso : ANIELLO DESIDERIO! A truly virtuosic giant if there ever was one! So check him out!
Good Guitar Listening. I'm sure I will be letting you know about more greats we get a chance to meet on the net!
MAESTRO PEPE ROMERO AT MSM MON-WED THIS WEEK!!!
I am proud to announce that MAESTRO PEPE ROMERO will be giving 3, 3 hour master classes at the Manhattan School of Music this Monday through Wednesday. Below is all the info. Hope to see you there as I will be coming straight from gigs each day in order to bathe in the Maestros' great teaching! It will be an education par excel lance! Don't miss this rare treat!!
The distinguished Guitarist PEPE ROMERO will be in residence at Manhattan School of Music January 23 – 25. His residency will include master classes that will be given in the School’s Miller Recital Hall – Monday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, January 24 at 3:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 25 at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Romero’s residency is made possible by The Augustine Foundation. A complete program listing for all three master classes is attached at the end of this press release.
The last time that a series of guitar master classes took place in New York City was in 1987 when Andres Segovia was presented in a series of master classes. In the past, Manhattan School of Music has had an ongoing relationship with the Augustine Foundation presenting a series of guitar concerts showcasing the great guitarists – the series included such guitarists as Julian Bream, the Assad Brothers, David Starobin, Paul O’Dette and David Russell, to name a few.
David Leisner, co-chair of MSM’s Guitar Department says, “Pepe Romero is one of the few living legends of the classical guitar. In addition to his extraordinary guitar playing, he is a master teacher. Pepe offers the kind of technical advice, with shortcuts and tricks of the trade that can only be gleaned from many decades of experience at the top of the field. He is also generous with his immense musical wisdom and profoundly human artistic insights. Here we have the very rare opportunity to witness the maestro work up close, in the intimate Miller Recital Hall, with the very talented guitar students of the Manhattan School of Music, in a rare series of three master classes. We are delighted at the opportunity to present Pepe Romero and are most grateful to the Augustine Foundation for making it possible.”
The master classes with Pepe Romero are open to the public and tickets are not required. For information, contact the MSM Concert Office at 917 493 4428 or visit www.msmnyc.edu. Manhattan School of Music is located on the northwest corner of Broadway and 122nd Street, and is easily accessible by public transportation. Several MTA bus lines stop within two blocks at Broadway and 122nd Street; the subway, No. 1 train, stops at the 116th Street and 125th Street stations.
Pepe Romero is a world-renowned classical and flamenco guitarist. He was born in Málaga, Spain in 1944 and in 1957 with his family, fled Franco’s Spain for the United States. His father, the legendary Celedonio Romero, was his only guitar teacher and his first professional appearance was in a shared concert with his father when he was age seven. He is the second son of “The Royal Family of the Guitar,” The Romeros, and with his father and brothers he helped establish The Romeros quartet as the leading classical guitar ensemble worldwide. As a member of The Romeros, he has performed at the White House for Presidents Carter and Nixon, as well as at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II. His performances have also been heard by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain, and Queen Beatrice of Holland.
Pepe Romero is particularly known for his outstanding technique and colorful musical interpretations. He is in demand worldwide for his solo recitals and performances with orchestras. Mr. Romero has appeared with orchestras including the Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, Houston, Pittsburgh, Boston, San Francisco, as well as with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestras, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and the London Symphony. Mr. Romero has been a special guest at the festivals of Salzburg, Israel, Schleswig-Holstein, Menuhin, Osaka, Granada, Istanbul, Ravinia, Hollywood Bowl, Blossom, Wolf Trap and Saratoga. His contributions to the field of classical guitar have inspired numerous distinguished composers to compose works especially for him, including Joaquin Rodrigo, Federic Moreno Torroba, Rev. Francisco de Madina, Lorenzo Palomo and Celedonio Romero. He made his first recording at the age of 15, and has since recorded more than 60 solo albums as well as 30 recordings as part of The Romeros.
His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain knighted Pepe Romero and his brothers, Celin and Angel, into the Order of “Isabel la Catolica.” He serves as Adjunct Professor of Classical Guitar at the University of California’s Thornton School of Music, where he was named “Distinguished Artist in Residence” in 2004.
Pepe Romero Master Classes in MSM’s Miller Recital Hall
Monday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m.
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Sonata Pathétique
Adagio cantabile (arr. Francisco Tárrega)
Isaac Sharp (student of Mark Delpriora)
FEDERICO MORENO-TORROBA (1891-1982)
Sonatina in A major
Allegro
William Cassatt (student of David Leisner)
JOAQUÍN RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Tres Piezas Españolas
Fandango
Joshua Bavaro (student of David Leisner)
JOAQUÍN RODRIGO
Invocación y Danza
Steven Cowan (student of David Leisner)
MAURO GIULIANI (1781 -1829)
Concerto, op. 30
Allegro maestoso
Bradley Colten, Guitar (student of David Starobin)
Katie Leung, Piano
Tuesday, January 24 at 3:00 p.m.
HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Etude no. 8 in C# minor
Max Boras (student of Mark Delpriora)
AGUSTÍN BARRIOS (1885-1944)
Julia Florida
Jacqueline Westerduin (student of Mark Delpriora)
REGINO SAINZ DE LA MAZA (1896-1981)
Zapateado
Robert Adler (student of Mark Delpriora)
HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Mazurka-Chôro
Rianne Mision (student of David Leisner)
MAURO GIULIANI (1781-1829)
Etudes, op. 51
No. 13
No. 14
Kazuki Ueki (student of David Starobin)
MANUEL MARÍA PONCE (1882-1948)
Suite in A minor
Gavota
James Garber (student of Mark Delpriora)
Wednesday, January 25 at 5:00 p.m.
HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Etude no. 11
Shunsuke Fuchioka (student of Mark Delpriora)
MANUEL MARÍA PONCE (1882-1948)
Sonata III
Allegro moderato
Dylan Berman (student of Mark Delpriora)
JOAQUÍN RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Concierto de Aranjuez
Adagio
Vilian Ivantchev, Guitar (student of David Starobin)
Katie Leung, Piano
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)
Lute Suite, BWV 996
Praeludio
Gunnlaugur (Gulli) Björnsson (student of David Leisner)
W H E W !!!! What a lineup of music that will be covered. I'm tired just reading the list! I've got my pens and pads ready to learn all I can! Hope you do the same!
Donnie Guitar!
The distinguished Guitarist PEPE ROMERO will be in residence at Manhattan School of Music January 23 – 25. His residency will include master classes that will be given in the School’s Miller Recital Hall – Monday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, January 24 at 3:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 25 at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Romero’s residency is made possible by The Augustine Foundation. A complete program listing for all three master classes is attached at the end of this press release.
The last time that a series of guitar master classes took place in New York City was in 1987 when Andres Segovia was presented in a series of master classes. In the past, Manhattan School of Music has had an ongoing relationship with the Augustine Foundation presenting a series of guitar concerts showcasing the great guitarists – the series included such guitarists as Julian Bream, the Assad Brothers, David Starobin, Paul O’Dette and David Russell, to name a few.
David Leisner, co-chair of MSM’s Guitar Department says, “Pepe Romero is one of the few living legends of the classical guitar. In addition to his extraordinary guitar playing, he is a master teacher. Pepe offers the kind of technical advice, with shortcuts and tricks of the trade that can only be gleaned from many decades of experience at the top of the field. He is also generous with his immense musical wisdom and profoundly human artistic insights. Here we have the very rare opportunity to witness the maestro work up close, in the intimate Miller Recital Hall, with the very talented guitar students of the Manhattan School of Music, in a rare series of three master classes. We are delighted at the opportunity to present Pepe Romero and are most grateful to the Augustine Foundation for making it possible.”
The master classes with Pepe Romero are open to the public and tickets are not required. For information, contact the MSM Concert Office at 917 493 4428 or visit www.msmnyc.edu. Manhattan School of Music is located on the northwest corner of Broadway and 122nd Street, and is easily accessible by public transportation. Several MTA bus lines stop within two blocks at Broadway and 122nd Street; the subway, No. 1 train, stops at the 116th Street and 125th Street stations.
Pepe Romero is a world-renowned classical and flamenco guitarist. He was born in Málaga, Spain in 1944 and in 1957 with his family, fled Franco’s Spain for the United States. His father, the legendary Celedonio Romero, was his only guitar teacher and his first professional appearance was in a shared concert with his father when he was age seven. He is the second son of “The Royal Family of the Guitar,” The Romeros, and with his father and brothers he helped establish The Romeros quartet as the leading classical guitar ensemble worldwide. As a member of The Romeros, he has performed at the White House for Presidents Carter and Nixon, as well as at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II. His performances have also been heard by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain, and Queen Beatrice of Holland.
Pepe Romero is particularly known for his outstanding technique and colorful musical interpretations. He is in demand worldwide for his solo recitals and performances with orchestras. Mr. Romero has appeared with orchestras including the Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, Houston, Pittsburgh, Boston, San Francisco, as well as with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestras, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and the London Symphony. Mr. Romero has been a special guest at the festivals of Salzburg, Israel, Schleswig-Holstein, Menuhin, Osaka, Granada, Istanbul, Ravinia, Hollywood Bowl, Blossom, Wolf Trap and Saratoga. His contributions to the field of classical guitar have inspired numerous distinguished composers to compose works especially for him, including Joaquin Rodrigo, Federic Moreno Torroba, Rev. Francisco de Madina, Lorenzo Palomo and Celedonio Romero. He made his first recording at the age of 15, and has since recorded more than 60 solo albums as well as 30 recordings as part of The Romeros.
His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain knighted Pepe Romero and his brothers, Celin and Angel, into the Order of “Isabel la Catolica.” He serves as Adjunct Professor of Classical Guitar at the University of California’s Thornton School of Music, where he was named “Distinguished Artist in Residence” in 2004.
Pepe Romero Master Classes in MSM’s Miller Recital Hall
Monday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m.
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Sonata Pathétique
Adagio cantabile (arr. Francisco Tárrega)
Isaac Sharp (student of Mark Delpriora)
FEDERICO MORENO-TORROBA (1891-1982)
Sonatina in A major
Allegro
William Cassatt (student of David Leisner)
JOAQUÍN RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Tres Piezas Españolas
Fandango
Joshua Bavaro (student of David Leisner)
JOAQUÍN RODRIGO
Invocación y Danza
Steven Cowan (student of David Leisner)
MAURO GIULIANI (1781 -1829)
Concerto, op. 30
Allegro maestoso
Bradley Colten, Guitar (student of David Starobin)
Katie Leung, Piano
Tuesday, January 24 at 3:00 p.m.
HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Etude no. 8 in C# minor
Max Boras (student of Mark Delpriora)
AGUSTÍN BARRIOS (1885-1944)
Julia Florida
Jacqueline Westerduin (student of Mark Delpriora)
REGINO SAINZ DE LA MAZA (1896-1981)
Zapateado
Robert Adler (student of Mark Delpriora)
HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Mazurka-Chôro
Rianne Mision (student of David Leisner)
MAURO GIULIANI (1781-1829)
Etudes, op. 51
No. 13
No. 14
Kazuki Ueki (student of David Starobin)
MANUEL MARÍA PONCE (1882-1948)
Suite in A minor
Gavota
James Garber (student of Mark Delpriora)
Wednesday, January 25 at 5:00 p.m.
HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Etude no. 11
Shunsuke Fuchioka (student of Mark Delpriora)
MANUEL MARÍA PONCE (1882-1948)
Sonata III
Allegro moderato
Dylan Berman (student of Mark Delpriora)
JOAQUÍN RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Concierto de Aranjuez
Adagio
Vilian Ivantchev, Guitar (student of David Starobin)
Katie Leung, Piano
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)
Lute Suite, BWV 996
Praeludio
Gunnlaugur (Gulli) Björnsson (student of David Leisner)
W H E W !!!! What a lineup of music that will be covered. I'm tired just reading the list! I've got my pens and pads ready to learn all I can! Hope you do the same!
Donnie Guitar!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Caballero
Sorry for the misspelling of Jorge's name. I get too excited when I talk about him because he is so magnificent! Right know I am experiencing Jorge play the Cromatic Fugue and Fantasy by Bach! W H E W - another shock to the system!
JORGE CABALLERO-MAGICAL VIRTUOSO
I am presently up at 4:55 am watching and listening to one of the greatest Classical Guitar Virtuosos in Music History- My friend and dear esteemed colleague JORGE CABALLERO.I have known this fantastic musician since his student days at The Manhattan School of Music. I first heard him at a Master Class in which he played for the equally fantastic ASSAD BROTHERS!! I remember it as though it were yesterday. I was totally bowled over by his Bach playing. His tone was so pure and his performance of ornaments on repeats, were crisp,clear and right on the money!! I wrote down in my notes: There is nothing negative the brothers can say about JORGE! He has it all: technique,musicality and supreme artistry! Odair was the first to comment and pretty much word for word stated the same! His brother Sergio uttered the same and Odair ended the few comments with: "we are proud to have this excellent artist write in his biography that he payed in our master class!".
If you want to find out how incredible our great instrument is, attend a concert by this musical genius- the Peruvian Guitar God JORGE CABALLERRO. You will have to go out and get drunk after you are smacked down by the incredible JORGE! Last year I attended the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR as a participant and attended his master classes and was intellectually walloped by the genius in this your man! He gave us a excellent lecture on the whole philosophy of playing the guitar that was totally engrossing and detailed.Of course all the players just wanted to get down and strutt their stuff as usual but it was a special treat (for me at least) to listen to such poetical explanations of our craft.I, being an experienced concert artist myself and having been around the block a few times thoroughly enjoyed this master class and hope that the young kids got the point that they were in the room with a true genius. Knowing my dear colleague, he would tell me "Don! Stop that crap! I'm not all that"! Well he is and everyone will also note that he is so kind and gentle. His future in our music world has already been securely established. He is already acknowledged as one of the finest Guitarists in History. Get on You Tube and get your butts scared at his Herculean and other worldly Artistry! I know what I am talking about. I would not stare you wrong! Hope you do! Keep your listening chops up! Check out what Jorge does with Pictures at An Exhibition! W H E W ! ! ! ! !
So beautifully clearly executed both musically and technically as is all he does with every piece he plays!!!
Donnie!
If you want to find out how incredible our great instrument is, attend a concert by this musical genius- the Peruvian Guitar God JORGE CABALLERRO. You will have to go out and get drunk after you are smacked down by the incredible JORGE! Last year I attended the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR as a participant and attended his master classes and was intellectually walloped by the genius in this your man! He gave us a excellent lecture on the whole philosophy of playing the guitar that was totally engrossing and detailed.Of course all the players just wanted to get down and strutt their stuff as usual but it was a special treat (for me at least) to listen to such poetical explanations of our craft.I, being an experienced concert artist myself and having been around the block a few times thoroughly enjoyed this master class and hope that the young kids got the point that they were in the room with a true genius. Knowing my dear colleague, he would tell me "Don! Stop that crap! I'm not all that"! Well he is and everyone will also note that he is so kind and gentle. His future in our music world has already been securely established. He is already acknowledged as one of the finest Guitarists in History. Get on You Tube and get your butts scared at his Herculean and other worldly Artistry! I know what I am talking about. I would not stare you wrong! Hope you do! Keep your listening chops up! Check out what Jorge does with Pictures at An Exhibition! W H E W ! ! ! ! !
So beautifully clearly executed both musically and technically as is all he does with every piece he plays!!!
Donnie!
Two Mentors in print! A.C.JOBIM & PAT MARTINO
I am so happy to let you know that two of my great mentors are in print with biographies! I was fortunate to have studied with the legendary PAT MARTINO in the 70's and BACKBEAT BOOKS HAVE ISSUED HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY "HERE AND NOW-THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PAT MARTINO".It retails for $24.99- a real bargain. I just picked it up yesterday and it is a great read and even has some lesson material to sharpen your playing chops in the appendix! Secondly, my longest love affair is the great genius ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM whom I met finally around a year before he passed away here ion New York through my dear teacher and colleague Antonio Carlos Barbosa Lima. His biography is:"ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM-AN ILLUMINATED MAN" by his poetic sister Helena Jobim. It is published by Hal Leonard books and retails for $27.99. I hope you rush out and buy them both. The Jobim had to be translated from the Portuguese. Just wanted to pass this by you who are hungry for direct information about two legendary men who have shaped our musical sphere greatly. I am so lucky to have had them as a part of my life.I will probably write up a review of both biographies for you soon as both reads look like quick ones! Stay tuned to the DONNIE CHANNEL for more guitar tidbits I recently attended!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Tribute To JIM HALL Sunday January 15th
On and incredibly freezing night of 15 degrees, I stood outside the venue that housed a special tribute to one of my great teachers- THE LEGENDARY JIM HALL!! The cost of the ticket was a mere $20 bucks but I only decided to attend last Sunday. I had already attended 3 concerts / gigs of colleagues and I thought it would be pushing it a bit but thanks to my brilliant wife (who really knows best), I dressed warmly and headed out into a 17 degree evening to the East side just off the Bowery and Houston Street.
Jan. 15 2012 Sunday 8:00 PM | Honoring Jim Hall
Nels Cline, Vic Juris, Mary Halvorsen, Gilad Hekselman, Adam Rogers, Steve Cardenas, David Binney, Joel Harrison String Choir, Scott Colley and Chris Potter
I was a few minutes after the starting time and found out that the gig was sold out!!! You know that lost feeling of not being able to get into what you knew would be a great event. I could see a duo playing through the window and started crying inside. The doorman was a big guy- ANTONIO - who was a great representative of the venue in that he was meticulous with every prospective client checking ids, and politely informing each person that unless they have tickets or was on the guest, he could not allow them access.I would love to have Antonio as my man in front! He did an excellent job.I was not to be denied ( as Walt Frasier Says!). As I patiently waited for some glimmer of hope,One admission freed up and I was allowed in. I stood my space right to the right of the door in a corner next to a small table! The venue
was packed and I had to see the gigging greats over the shoulders of the folks in front of me! No sweat for me since I am a guitarist who doesn't have to check out that fingerboard. VIC JURIS was of interest to me in that I have known him for a couple of decades and recently worked with his excellent DVD - ALL THAT JAZZ!He has chops to burn and I love the way he navigates around the fingerboards usig intervals of the 5th and 4ths, plus how he plays on the "OUTSIDE"! When you get a chance to experience so many great players strutting their stuff, you realize who many ways you can approach the craft of improvising on our wonderful chosen instrument.
The evening was devoted to either original tunes of JIM HALL or tunes he enjoyed playing. DAVID SPELLMAN is my man as far as the producer of this magnificent event and he is great-having produced many Guitar Festivals here and abroad! I believe he is the best there is and once again,he produced a jewel! Unfortunately Jim could not appear due to health concerns. It was announced from the stage that he called in the afternoon and was sad to inform all that he wasn't up to it. Last year, Jim finally had back surgery for a problem that has been nagging him for years and is still in recovery mode. I called him yesterday-Monday to wish him a speedy and thorough recovery and I would hope that all his friends make sure that he knows how much he means to us as a member of our Guitar family and our Human family! If you see him, Make sure you give him the warmest hug you can muster and look into is eyes and tell him how much you love and respect him and his humanity!
This was an evening full of love and respect for one of the finest human beings and greatest musicians in MUSIC HISTORY! The fact that he can transport to heaven on 6 strings of a wooden box has shown us the way for several decades and I am happy that we celebrate this noble and special human being while he is ALIVE!! There was so much LOVE emanating in each and every performance tonight and I was honored to have been a part of this great moment in Musical History.
I must mention - because I promised - a couple of other fine employees of this fine venue: 1) My beautiful and gracious waitress excelled in quietly requesting orders and gently delivering it with virtuosic effectiveness! Lets hear it for ADDY!!!!!!I believe that was her name. 2) The aforementioned ANTONIO made sure that each and every person entering was fit for entrance and I loved the way he handled everyone with courtesy and respect! This evening was part of the NEW YORK GUITAR FESTIVAL which is being held at several venues around the City for the month of January!
THE VENUE WAS = Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen Street New York, NY 10002
(212) 477-4155
http://www.rockwoodmusichall.com
Jan. 15 2012 Sunday 8:00 PM | Honoring Jim Hall
Nels Cline, Vic Juris, Mary Halvorsen, Gilad Hekselman, Adam Rogers, Steve Cardenas, David Binney, Joel Harrison String Choir, Scott Colley and Chris Potter
I was a few minutes after the starting time and found out that the gig was sold out!!! You know that lost feeling of not being able to get into what you knew would be a great event. I could see a duo playing through the window and started crying inside. The doorman was a big guy- ANTONIO - who was a great representative of the venue in that he was meticulous with every prospective client checking ids, and politely informing each person that unless they have tickets or was on the guest, he could not allow them access.I would love to have Antonio as my man in front! He did an excellent job.I was not to be denied ( as Walt Frasier Says!). As I patiently waited for some glimmer of hope,One admission freed up and I was allowed in. I stood my space right to the right of the door in a corner next to a small table! The venue
was packed and I had to see the gigging greats over the shoulders of the folks in front of me! No sweat for me since I am a guitarist who doesn't have to check out that fingerboard. VIC JURIS was of interest to me in that I have known him for a couple of decades and recently worked with his excellent DVD - ALL THAT JAZZ!He has chops to burn and I love the way he navigates around the fingerboards usig intervals of the 5th and 4ths, plus how he plays on the "OUTSIDE"! When you get a chance to experience so many great players strutting their stuff, you realize who many ways you can approach the craft of improvising on our wonderful chosen instrument.
The evening was devoted to either original tunes of JIM HALL or tunes he enjoyed playing. DAVID SPELLMAN is my man as far as the producer of this magnificent event and he is great-having produced many Guitar Festivals here and abroad! I believe he is the best there is and once again,he produced a jewel! Unfortunately Jim could not appear due to health concerns. It was announced from the stage that he called in the afternoon and was sad to inform all that he wasn't up to it. Last year, Jim finally had back surgery for a problem that has been nagging him for years and is still in recovery mode. I called him yesterday-Monday to wish him a speedy and thorough recovery and I would hope that all his friends make sure that he knows how much he means to us as a member of our Guitar family and our Human family! If you see him, Make sure you give him the warmest hug you can muster and look into is eyes and tell him how much you love and respect him and his humanity!
This was an evening full of love and respect for one of the finest human beings and greatest musicians in MUSIC HISTORY! The fact that he can transport to heaven on 6 strings of a wooden box has shown us the way for several decades and I am happy that we celebrate this noble and special human being while he is ALIVE!! There was so much LOVE emanating in each and every performance tonight and I was honored to have been a part of this great moment in Musical History.
I must mention - because I promised - a couple of other fine employees of this fine venue: 1) My beautiful and gracious waitress excelled in quietly requesting orders and gently delivering it with virtuosic effectiveness! Lets hear it for ADDY!!!!!!I believe that was her name. 2) The aforementioned ANTONIO made sure that each and every person entering was fit for entrance and I loved the way he handled everyone with courtesy and respect! This evening was part of the NEW YORK GUITAR FESTIVAL which is being held at several venues around the City for the month of January!
THE VENUE WAS = Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen Street New York, NY 10002
(212) 477-4155
http://www.rockwoodmusichall.com
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