July 29 - July 31, 2011
SCHEDULE INFORMATION
*** Please note: Although the schedule is precise in terms of appearances, specific start times can (and often do ) vary. ***
Friday July 29, 2011
7:00 pm: Calum Graham
Guitar Virtuoso Calum Graham has been blasting his way through the Alberta music scene in the short 5 years he’s been playing. From the small town of High River, Alberta he is truly a unique talent that is destined for the ‘World Stage’. This 19 year–old fretwork phenom has a dynamic and upbeat style, and is at the forefront of a new generation in music. Of course all that is not news to us here at the Canadian Guitar Festival - Calum took home 1st prize in the 2010 Competition and has never looked back.
8:00 pm: Kapsalis & Ivanovic Duo
The Andreas Kapsalis & Goran Ivanovic Guitar Duo are Chicago's finest acoustic instrumental guitarists. Together for the first time, steel string ten finger tapping guitar prodigy Andreas Kapsalis and nylon string Balkan folk guitarist Goran Ivanovic have fused their musical roots with modern, classical, world, jazz and beyond in this experimental duo!
9:00 pm: Gregory Hoskins
Gregory Hoskins is no late bloomer. As Canadian music industry illuminary Richard Flohil described him, “He is a dramatically re-emerging Canadian talent.” He is a songwriter’s songwriter. A singer’s singer. He translates his rather full life into material that transforms a simple concert into something that resembles communion. A largely unsung figure of the Canadian folk-rock scene of the '90s when accompanied by his band, The Stickpeople, Gregory Hoskins has re-emerged with a newly invigorated solo career to prove that some really do get better with age.
10:00 pm: Don Ross
One of today's true innovators of guitar composition and technique, Don Ross is one of the most respected musicians in Canada and one of the top guitarists in the world. In September 1996, he managed to do what no other player has done: win the prestigious U.S. National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship for the second time (he first won in 1988). The competition, held yearly in Winfield, Kansas, cannot be won only with immaculate technique, but the player's music must also display a high degree of emotion and intensity — hallmarks of Don's style. Don continues to do extensive touring in Europe, Canada, the United States and Asia's Pacific Rim. When he's not on the road, Don lives with his family in Halifax on the east coast of Canada.
Saturday July 30, 2011
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm: Holmes Hooke
Award-winning spoken word artist Holmes Hooke continues to be sought out as performer-host by festivals and clubs the world over. This “national treasure” (CBC) has recorded three CDs, illustrated and authored a children's book, and had compositions performed by over 40 artists. Holmes' words will definitely “transport and move you” (Artsforum.) His poem “Plant A Tree” was included in a capsule buried in Scotland, to be opened in a huge ceremony one hundred years from now. Holmes says he definitely plans to be there.
4:30 pm: Stefano Barone
Stefano Barone [1/3 of Guitar Republic] wields an acoustic guitar, fingerpicking and strumming in a post-Kottke style rooted in Americana but greatly evolved, bringing in European classical elements and New Instrumental strains. Like the CandyRat mainstays, he's laboring beyond what outfits like ECM started, veering away from Towner, more to some of what Gismonti was evolving and occasionally the material Windham Hill tentatively espoused. Tracks like "Batman", however, bridge many gaps between Hedges, Fripp & Eno (the light side), Tibbetts, and others. It's an entrancing song, airy and light-infused, the sort of composition that could go on for an hour and lull the listener to blissful repose.
- as reviewed by Mark S. Tucker
5:30 pm: Sergio Altamura
Sergio Altamura [1/3 of Guitar Republic] was born in Molfetta, a town in the province of Bari, Italy. He graduated from the University of Bologna’s Department of Music, with a thesis on music semiology. In 1985 he began his career in concerts with various rock groups. Since l993 he has dedicated his time to the study of acoustic guitar. As well as his work as a musician, Sergio also dedicates much of his time to the composition of music for theater, films and documentaries. He has taught since l994 in various cultural centers, and holds yearly seminars on contemporary acoustic guitar techniques.
7:00 pm: Antoine Dufour & Tommy Gauthier
Antoine Dufour and Tommy Gauthier combine to make CDs full of diverse styles including Folk, World, and Jazz influences. With now five albums of original material released to critical acclaim, two live performance DVDs, and more than 25 million views on YouTube, Antoine has emerged as a young star of fingerstyle acoustic guitar, building a worldwide reputation for innovation and creativity. Tommy is one of the most accomplished and versatile musician of the Québec folk music scene. He studied the violin at the University of Montreal. His tremendous talent and improvisational skills have already put a stamp on the Canadian music scene and in Europe.
8:00 pm: Ewan Dobson
Ewan Dobson has established himself as one of Canada's most brilliant and exhilarating young guitarists, having won first prize in nearly every single Classical Guitar competition across the country. His impressive list of credentials include winning the Grand Prizes from both the Burlington Rotary Fall Music Festival and the Pickering Rotary Music Festival, represented Ontario twice at the National Finals of the prestigious Canadian Music Competitions (CMC) and having been awarded the top prize in guitar. In the summer of 2009, Ewan was crowned our Canadian Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, followed that up with first prize in the acoustic category at the 4th Montreal Guitar Grand Prix and then completed a dizzying list with 3rd prize at International Finger Style Guitar Championship in Winfield, Kansas. Simply awesome!
9:00 pm: Stephen Bennett
Stephen Bennett is an extraordinary musician, an acknowledged master of the harp guitar, a challenging teacher, a gifted composer, and a performer of astounding sensitivity. The Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association calls him “the Jedi Master of Fingerstyle Guitar”. Whether playing his great-grandfather's harp guitar, his 1930 National Steel or a standard 6-string, Stephen Bennett is a musician to hear. His playing has won awards and critical praise. In live performance and on record, his diverse musical influences and interests are joined with a lifelong love affair with the sound of guitar strings.
10:00 pm: Gareth Pearson
Born and raised in Wales, Gareth took up guitar at 14 years old. His dedication and hard work earned him an invitation to the prestigious Chet Atkins Appreciation Society in Nashville, by none other than his idol, Tommy Emmanuel. Gareth was only 16 at the time. Gareth’s influences are wide, ranging from guitarists such as Tommy Emmanuel, Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Jerry Reed and others but his own distinctive voice is clearly audible in his own compositions. He released his 2nd album, Urban Echoes Vol 1 last year (Candyrat Records) and has performed at countless festivals and events throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and North America.
11:00 pm: Montreal Guitar Trio
Described by the CBC as "the hottest guitar ensemble in Canada", the MG3 has quickly established itself as a force of rejuvenation and cross-pollenization between various musical forms. Marrying passionate virtuosity with a stealthy sense of humour, guitarists Glenn Lévesque, Marc Morin and Sébastien Dufour at once charmed the ears of seasoned critics and captured the hearts of their (now ever-expanding) audiences.
Sunday July 31, 2011
10:00 am - 3:00 pm: 2011 Fingerstyle Guitar Competition
5:00 pm: Pino Forastiere
The music of Italian guitarist Pino Forastiere [1/3 of Guitar Republic] comes from a solid classical, contemporary, and rock background that is hard to define. He employs a dazzling blend of slapping, tapping, strumming, altered tunings, and harmonics combined with classical phrasing and a focus on distinct and addictive melodies. His music is “something like a mix of Steve Reich’s interlocking rhythmic patterns meet Michael Hedges’s techniques, all while admiring Eddie van Halen” (John Schaefer, WNYC Radio). Born in Latronico, Southern Italy, he graduated from Santa Cecilia Conservatory with a degree in classical guitar. In 1996 he laid down this instrument and picked up a six-string acoustic guitar. He has studied composition and chamber music, performed in various ensembles with classical or original repertoire, and collaborated with jazz, experimental, electronic and pop projects.
6:00 pm: Hunter Van Larkins
Ross Hunter and Owen Van-Larkins are Hunter Van Larkins. These two incredibly talented and gifted young musicians met while studying music at Southbank College in Brisbane and soon afterwards began writing and performing their own unique brand of Celtic, Folk and Spanish flavoured acoustic guitar music. From their early compositions it was clear an extraordinary new talent had arrived on the Australian music scene.
7:00 pm: Brooke Miller
Born & raised on Prince Edward Island, Brooke's career began in a loud punk band as the lead guitarist & vocalist at 12 yrs old; later connecting with music from the likes of Bruce Cockburn, Rickie Lee Jones, The Police and Joni Mitchell. On her latest release, 'Shake It Off' (CandyRat Records), she played most of the instruments along with husband Don Ross. Her previous release, saw the title track 'You Can See Everything' licensed & aired on the ShowTime hit series 'The L-Word'. Brooke won the 2007 Colleen Peterson Song writing award and has developed a strong relationship with CBC Radio. She also plans to record some francophone material on the new album in late summer/early fall in order to appeal to a truly national audience across Canada.
8:00 pm: Michael Manring
Michael Manring is a bassist and composer known for his innovative approach to the instrument and his adventurous solo concerts. He has appeared on over 200 recordings and toured throughout the world. He has received Grammy and Bammie nominations, the Berklee School of Music Distinguished Alumni Award, two Gold Records, two Just Plain Folks awards and the Bassist of the Year award from the readers of Bass Player Magazine.
9:00 pm: Guitar Republic
Guitar Republic is the new solo-duo-trio concert by Sergio Altamura (bottom-left), Stefano Barone (top left) and Pino Forastiere (top right): music in the widest sound spectrum you may imagine, from the pure acoustic guitar sound to experimental electronics. Rock, improvisation, minimalism, mediterranean colors and rhythms are performed on the same stage by three different citizens of the same Guitar Republic. Of course, CGF regulars will remember Pino Forastiere enthralling our 2007 Festival attendies.
See you at the lake!