If you’re a guitarist, like the guitar, or have heard of the guitar, than you’re probably excited for the Guitar Masters tour, which kicks off this October with dates throughout the Midwest and East Coast. Featuring guitar legend Eric Johnson, Fingerstyle guru Andy McKee and acoustic-guitar master Peppino D’Agostino, the tour is lining up to be the must see guitar event of the fall season, and possibly the entire year.
For a few years, guitarist extraordinaire, Yasmin Williams, caused some groundswell buzz wherever and whenever she performed in her local DC-MD-VA area, and when she’d won some awards from the Songwriters’ of Washington for her compositions and recordings. And to many it seemed, it was only a matter of time before others would “discover” her as a talent of grand proportion.
Singer-songwriter, Jeffrey Pine, hails from the Santa Barbara, California, environs, although he’s toured the country performing solo and with others. Pine also periodically finds himself recharging his creative spirit, by seeking refuge and maybe silence in the beauty and solitude of the desert.
With its panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains, the Highlander Research and Education Center in Tennessee was a magical spot for multi-instrumentalist, John McCutcheon, to present his songwriting camp that immersed a group of songwriters deep into the heart of lyrics, melody and soul.
Australian guitarist, Tommy Emmanuel, has gifted the world with some of the finest acoustic guitar playing to adorn the planet. He’s an itinerate touring musician who sparkles on stage with his ability to caress, cajole and occasionally slap beautiful acoustic arrangements out of his beat up Maton guitars. Emmanuel captivates his audiences with his humorous patter, world-class guitar playing and the percussive antics he unleashes on his six-strings.
International Guitar Night IV is a collaboration that features the acoustic guitar stylings of Brian Gore (founder), Lulo Reinhardt, Stephen Bennett, and Itamar Erez. Coming together from the four corners of the globe, each of these performers brings a unique and diverse sound alongside a wide range of influences from Spanish, Latin, Gypsy, and Rock. The album is a collection of performances from their 2009 North American tour, and this recording delivers the goods for anyone who loves the sound of the acoustic guitar.
Few guitarists can claim to have a career as long and storied as French virtuoso Pierre Bensusan. Known mostly for his work in the “DADGAD” tuning, which readers may also know as the favorite acoustic tuning of rock-legend Jimmy Page, Bensusan’s latest release Vividly celebrates his 35th years as a professional performer and is also his 10th solo album, not easy milestones to come by for any genre or in any era.
The Martin Guitar Company chose Bursch among the very first guitarists outside of the U.S. to be recognized with their own Martin Signature guitar. He is the first guitarist from Germany to be so honored.
Guitar International recently sat down with Bill Mize to talk about his early influences, his latest album The Angel’s Share and his favorite guitars.
As 2010 comes to a close, we here at Guitar International are taking a look back at the year that was, of all the great albums that came out this year, all the killer concerts that took place and the amazing guitarists who made this year a great year for the guitar.
