FVAGF - History
April 22, 2011
Jason Carter
British Guitarist Jason Carter has become a Cultural/Global Ambassador having performed in more than 80 countries, including some of the least accessible places such as North Korea, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, often supported by the British Government. He has also received Music Awards from the Government of North Korea and the Crown Prince of Bahrain, acknowledging Jason's efforts to 'build bridges' through music.
Jason has recorded 14 CDs, and his tracks have appeared on compilations, alongside artists such as Anoushka Shankar, Barbara Streisand, Zakir Hussain, John Paul Jones, (Led Zeppelin) Joe Sariani, Steve Morse, Allan Holdsworth, John Scofield, Jeff Beck, Larry Coryell, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ozzy Ozbourne, Trey Gunn (King Crimson) and Trilok Gurtu.
Jason Carter is now Peace Ambassador with Café Diplo, a humanitarian organization dedicated to spreading the message of hope through the arts. Jason will work closely with Café Diplo in planning peace tours around the world. Support his work and be updated via www.cafediplo.org
http://www.myspace.com/jasoncarterguitar
April 23, 2010
Montreal Guitar Trio - (MG3)
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.
The Trio's eclectic, energetic music takes listeners on a journey through the world's many cultures — from the mysterious, exotic melodies of India to the hot rhythms of South America, Spain, the Balkans, the Orient and traditional Quebec and... Hollywood.
Since it was founded at University of Montréal in 1998, the MG3 has given hundreds of concerts in North America and Europe, many of which have been recorded and broadcast by national networks such as CBC, BRAVO, Radio-France, the Romanian National Television and Société Radio-Canada. Its 2002 concert, entitled "The heat of the Day," and performed in Montreal, was nominated for Concert of the Year (Jazz and World Music) at the prestigious Prix Opus 2002, celebrating musical excellence in Quebec. This concert launched the Trio's second album, Garam Masala, which was also nominated for Disk of the Year (J&WM). Their 3rd CD has been released in Fall 2006.
http://www.montrealguitaretrio.com
James Devon
James Devon was born in England and started learning classical guitar at the age of 15. One year later, he was awarded a scholarship for musical education at a college in Lincolnshire where he studied with legendary classical guitarist Graham Wade. James continued his studies in musical theory, piano and guitar at Trinity College of Music in London. He taught guitar in British schools and colleges, before emigrating to Canada. His desire to learn and play blues and rock on the electric guitar as a freer form of musical expression, added to his musical understanding. Several years later, he won a Fender sponsored guitar competition for the province of British Columbia.
Aside from working as a private guitar instructor, James was one of the first musicians to produce a series of video guitar lessons including “Beginner’s Guitar” and “Improvising Rock Guitar Leads”. He later created the internet's first interactive online guitar lessons that were highlighted in the Jan. 2000 issue of Guitar Player magazine. These lessons branched out to become www.eyeguitar.com.
Lately, James has been working on a Mac based recording studio to write and produce original music. He continues to perform, record and teach in the Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada and is currently working on producing more instructional on-line musical material, and new musical compositions.
Paul Pigat
Paul Pigat started playing the guitar at 11 years of age and was gigging steadily in downtown Toronto by the time he was 12. Through a lifetime dedication to live performance, recording and study he has developed into a superb guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. Paul attended the Claude Watson School of the Arts and graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Music in theory and composition in 1992. He taught at the Eli Kassner Guitar Academy while continuing to explore live performance opportunities with various bands. Shortly thereafter Paul headed for the west coast, where he has made his home since 1994, and has earned a reputation as one of the best guitarists around.
An extremely versatile artist, with projects ranging from delta blues to classical music, he heads four diverse Vancouver bands and is in high demand as a sideman, having recorded and toured with the likes of Neko Case, Michael Kaeshammer, and Carolyn Mark, and has shared the stage with Taj Mahal, Mae Moore, Lee Aaron, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Joshua Redman, Big Sandy and His Flyrite Boys, Aaron Neville, Jim Byrnes, Zubot & Dawson, and more. He has played performance venues ranging from small clubs to large stadiums, and festivals covering the entire spectrum of roots, blues, rockabilly and jazz music. He toured the UK with Neko Case in November 2006, and had the honour of performing with Jim Byrnes and Jesse Zubot at the Closing Ceremonies of the 2006 Torino Paralympic Games earlier in the year. Read more about Paul’s central touring project, his rocking hillbilly trio Cousin Harley, considered to be western Canada’s premier rockabilly and roots band.
Doug Towle
The word duende is used to describe music that moves both body and soul. Fueled by his passion and talent, Doug Towle has tapped into this dark magnetic energy which springs up from the earth through the souls of your feet. The music is jazz-infused rumba flamenca with a dash of modern world beat.
Already at the age of twelve Doug was emulating the masters like Al Dimeola and Paco de Lucia. As his obsession with the acoustic guitar grew the instrument began to give up its secrets, enabling Doug to delve further into its melodic, rhythmic and percussive possibilities. He has now found a wonderful vehicle for both his compositions and musicianship, as he continues to explore the power and passion of the acoustic guitar.
Under the moniker “De La Terra” he released his first independent CD “Lluvia” in 2001. Hethen took to the stage and quickly became one of the most refined and dynamic acts in Western Canada. The highly anticipated second De La Terra album “Rhythm and Passion"released in 2003 has received glowing reviews from press and radio and has sold units into the thousands. The latest effort “Momentum” was released in the fall of 2006 and continues to win new fans all over.
Doug has appeared at such events as the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the Harrison Festival of the Arts, the Kispiox Festival, the Maple Ridge Jazz Fest, the Juan De Fuca Festival of the Arts and the Zihuatenejo International Guitar Festival. He has performed all over Canada as well as America and Mexico. Recently (Fall 2009), Doug Towle was a finalist in the Guitar Player Magazine Superstar competition.
Doug Towle is one of the most unique live acts going. An amazing mix of styles and genres,their instrumental songs range from haunting and romantic to infectiously energetic.They've been a hit with people of all ages and walks of life and are sure to please anyone who experiences one his dynamic performances.
Van Django - Budge Schachte & Cameron Wilson
Budge Schachte (guitar) has worked with a stellar cast of diverse artists including: play-write Thompson Highway, Tango Paradiso, Victoria Symphony, Chor Leoni Mens Choir, WIndsor Symphony, Ache Brazil, Coco Trevisano, Jesse Zubot, Sal Ferreras, Brad Turner, Saul Berson, John Korsrud, Olam, Leora Cashe, and many others. He is featured on several film soundtracks: Head In The Clouds, Eulogy, Sisterhood Of TheTravelling Pants and recently he composed, played and recorded his first feature film soundtrack for the film, "Love And Other Dilemmas". His work as a performer, producer and composer can be found on numerous recordings, radio and television appearances. He has twice been reviewed in Downbeat Magazine. Budge is on the faculty of Guitar Worshop Plus where he has taught a "Gypsy Jazz Seminar" along with guitarist John Jorgenson.
Budge co-leads along with Cameron Wilson the Gypsy Jazz group "Van Django" an acoustic string ensemble . They have recorded two live CBC radio shows for "Hot Air" and "Westcoast Performance". Since the group’s formation they have toured throughout Canada and more recently, have been making inroads internationally with forays into the USA and beyond. May 2009 will see Van Django travel to Ireland for their very first tour in Europe. Van Django recorded their first CD "Tiptoe Trip" in Spring 2006. They're 2nd CD is due to be released winter 2009.
Cameron Wilson (violin) is an artist whose works showcase the many genres of music he has become associated with both as a composer and violinist. His compositions have been performed by the CBC Radio Orchestra, the Vancouver Bach Choir, the Vancouver Cantata Singers, the Art of Time Ensemble, Symphony Nova Scotia, the Louisiana Philharmonic, the Firebird Ensemble and various ensembles and soloists across North America. His compositions have been heard on CBC Radio, NPR, BBC, RTE Lyric FM in Ireland. He has written music for films including "Singing the Bones", and most recently, the score for the National Film Board documentary film, "Citizen Sam". The music was nomitated for a 2007 Leo Award for best music in a documentary film. He has collaborated with CBC author and storyteller Stuart Mclean, Canada's poet laureate, George Bowering, soprano Jean Stilwell, poet Lorna Crozier and CBC's Bill Richardson.
He was a long time member of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra from 1988-2007. He was also a member of the CBC Radio Orchestra. He is currently a member of Joe Trio, the classical crossover piano trio, Van Django, the acoustic string gypsy jazz quartet and the Hard Rubber Orchestra.
April 17, 2009
Laurence Juber
As a young working musician in London, England in the 1970s, Laurence Juber got an extraordinary, life-changing break when Paul McCartney picked him to become Wings’ lead guitarist. Juber spent three years recording and touring with the band. During that time he won a Best Rock Instrumental GRAMMY® for the track "Rockestra" from the Wings album Back To The Egg.
After Wings disbanded in 1981, Juber embarked on a career as a solo artist, composer and arranger, and soon developed a reputation as a world-class guitar virtuoso, being voted #1 by Fingerstyle Guitar magazine. He has released 13 critically acclaimed solo albums, including "LJ Plays the Beatles", "Guitarist" and "One Wing".
"I've Got The World On 6 Strings", is a collection of solo guitar arrangements of tunes by Harold Arlen, composer of 'Over The Rainbow', and 'Stormy Weather' among many other classics:
His new CD "PCH" is now available. With its title tune inspired by a drive down Southern California’s Pacific Coast Highway, the sessions took place at the historic Capitol Records tower in Hollywood and were recorded by multi-grammy winning engineer Jimmy Hoyson. LJ had some legendary company: on bass guitar was Leland Sklar, the king of all subsonic with his old band-mate from James Taylors’ halcyon days, Russ Kunkel, at the drum kit. Studio legend Jim Cox presided over the keyboards.
Juber's DVD "Guitar Noir" is DVD Etc. magazine's top pick for surround-sound 5.1 audio and earned a 2005 CEA "Demmy" award for sonic excellence. His solo guitar arrangement of "The Pink Panther Theme" is featured on the Best Pop Instrumental GRAMMY®-winning album "Henry Mancini-Pink Guitar".
Folios and DVDs of his compositions and arrangements are published by Alfred Publications. The venerable C.F. Martin Company currently offers an ‘LJ’ Signature model guitar and GHS Strings market Juber's Signature guitar strings.
John Gilliat
After several years touring North America John took the time to formally study his art. He took private lessons with various teachers and later majored in jazz at Capilano College, where he received a scholarship and graduated with top honours. In the guitar, John had found his instrument but he was still searching for his muse.
At age 26 he immersed himself in Flamenco guitar tradition, inspired by the teaching methods of Juan Martin and listening to the incredible sounds of Paco de Lucia, Paco Pena, Sabicas and many others. John spent the next 6 years studying Flamenco, practicing 8 to 10 hours a day. The effort would pay off and the accolades would follow. In 1995, John won "Best Acoustic Guitar Performance" in the Music West Star Frets Competition. He won Vancouver's Unplugged Competition in 1996 and, in 1997 he became a finalist in Vancouver's Global Star Quest.
John Gilliat continues to offer new direction and contemporary expression to Flamenco, Nouveau Flamenco and Flamenco Rumba, touring festivals and headlining concerts with his quartet (bass, 2 guitars, and percussion). He even finds time to perform regularly with Vancouver's hot gypsy jazz club quartet, "Gypsalero". (click on Gypsalero to learn more about the group)
Now following four successful Japanese tours, including the first-ever concert on an open-air train, performing live on NHK Radio along with various other Japanese radio and television programs and playing Expo 2005 in Aichi. John has released his latest CD in Japan and Canada titled "Beyond Boundaries". The new CD continues to offer new direction and contemporary expression to Nouveau Flamenco, Flamenco Rumba and Jazz. Included in Beyond Boundaries is a very special composition titled "Onishi", created from the beautiful images, sounds and excitement John experienced during his performances at Fujiyama Koen Park in Onishi, Japan.
Keith Bennett & Ed Mohoric
Keith Bennett Ed Mohoric have forged a unique new voice for Chromatic Harmonica and Jazz Guitar. Their main focus has been on the performance of original material ranging from blues to sophisticated jazz forms. Their CD has been getting much attention on CBC and has been featured on radio as far away as Mexico. One of the selections from their Tin Sandwich CD has been used on the Chris Issac Show. They have recently completed a tour of the Queen Charlottes as well as concerts in the Vancouver area.
Keith Bennett (Harmonica): Keith is one of Canada's top harmonica players; He was recently asked to perform three nights at the Orpheum theater with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He has been performing both live and in the studio for over 20 years. Some of his recent studio harmonica credits include: McGyver, Neon Rider, The Black Stallion, Sesame Street, Bordertown, Fly By Night, and Caddalac Girls. Last summer he performed with Rodger Hodgson of Supertramp in Calgary. His harmonica was featured in the soundtrack for the Calgary Stampede evening show.
Ed Mohoric (Guitar): Ed, a prolific composer of original music, has taught guitar for many years in the Vancouver area. His recording, "Guitar Talk," received extensive national air play on C.B.C.'s Disc Drive program.
Jeff Bowman
Jeff Bowman was born into a Military family in Ottawa Ontario. His father was posted to France, Nova Scotia, and Ontario, Saskatchewan and eventually to British Columbia. A child of the 60's and unaware of the Cold War, Jeff had begun learning guitar from Mr. Bob Wilson. Mr. Wilson was a musician/Military Radar Technician on the Canadian Forces Station known as Sagehill Saskatchewan. The isolated nature of this Cold War Radar Site lent to many hours of practice that began a lifetime of music for Jeff.
Moving to Chilliwack BC presented many more musical opportunities. Jeff studied with local Classical Guitarist Walter Friesen and started taking the Toronto Conservatory exams. In 1993 he received his Grade 10 certificate in Classical Guitar from the Toronto Conservatory of Music. He had also studied with the late Jan Smit from the Royal Canadian Engineer Band in Chilliwack BC.
He attended the Music programs in Capilano College studying Classical Guitar with Stephen Boswell and The Vancouver Academy of Music studying the Trombone with Mr. Greg Cox of the VSO. Jeff Bowman has also studied jazz guitar with the great Oliver Gannon.
He has played at the Merritt Country Music Fest 1999 with the Debbie Bergeron Band, performed with his own band at the Hope Mountain Blues Fest 2004, performed in Chilliwack's 2005 Dixie Fest with Craig Scott and Yve Evans. Was guest clinician at Quantlan Collegeís Guitar Fest 2005. Was the 2007 Guitar adjudicator at the Upper Fraser Valley Music Festival. He played guitar for the Fraser Valley Universityís West Side Story production in the summer of 2006. He also performs annually at Minter Gardens through their summer season with his Jazz group.
Jeff Bowman has made his living teaching and playing music in Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley and Vancouver areas for over 33 years.
Stephen Lochbaum
Classical guitarist Stephen Lochbaum began his musical studies with rock and roll and the blues when he was twelve years old. Over the next five years he explored every genre that came his way: jazz, blues, heavy metal, folk, county and flamenco. During this time he also played guitar and sang in a band. His main teachers during this time were Larry Church, bassist for the band “Trooper”, and later the very versatile and experienced John Gilliat.
Stephen went straight from high school to Kwantlen University College in Langley where he began studying classical guitar and piano. Here he studied with renowned Vancouver guitarist Dr. Bruce Clausen. Stephen went on to earn his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music at the University of Victoria, graduating on the Dean’s list in the top 5% of the Fine Arts department. Here he studied with Dr. Alexander Dunn, famed protégé of Pepe Romero. Stephen has also had the opportunity to perform with Pepe and study with him in masterclasses.
He has also performed for many great guitarists and lautenists in masterclasses including: David Tannenbaum, Nigel North, John Schneiderman, Hopkinson Smith, Michael Nicolella, Jeffery McFadden, and Michael Partington. During his stay at UVic Stephen maintained an active performing and competing schedule. He performed Alexander Dunn’s newly discovered Beethoven arrangements for two guitars in Festivals and recitals in Montreal, Calgary, Tofino, and Victoria. He placed third in the 2005 Northwest Guitar Competition, and later won the 2005 Canadian National Festival.
Upon his Graduation in 2005, Stephen has been teaching at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. He recently played with the Vancouver Cantata Singers, which was broadcasted by CBC radio 2.
In 2006, Stephen began playing classical concertos, pop arrangements, and original compositions in nightclub settings around Vancouver hoping to bring this music to new audiences. In this year he also formed the prolific Corbett/Lochbaum duo, performing jazz, classical arrangements, and fusion experiments weekly. The Duo quickly recorded an album which was broadcast on The NewVI (local Victoria television) and CBC radio 1 three weeks in a row.
During 2007/2008, Stephen devoted most of his time to teaching in the Lower Mainland, keeping a studio of 40+ students as well as conducting beginner and intermediate guitar classes at UBC.
Currently, Stephen is preparing for a return to international competition as well as remaining active with Duo Corbett/Lochbaum.
April 18, 2008
Andrew York
Andrew York is one of today's most visible and innovative classical guitar composers, and a member of the GRAMMY winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. Andrew’s discography includes “California Breeze,” a new recording for Sony Japan, three solo CD's for the GSP label, ten CD’s with the LAGQ on Delos, Sony and Telarc labels, as well as inclusions on numerous compilation recordings. York's compositions have also been recorded by guitar luminaries John Williams, Christopher Parkening, Scott Tennant and William Kanengiser. As a published composer, York's works appear in print worldwide through Alfred Publications, Hal Leonard, Mel Bay Publications, Guitar Solo Publications, Doberman-Yppan in Canada, Ricordi in London, and in Japan through Gendai and Rittor Music.
Andrew is a virtuoso classical and jazz guitarist; an extremely rare combination. As a classical guitarist, Andrew received a grant from the Del Amo Foundation for Study in Spain, and as a jazz player studied with Joe Diorio and Lenny Breau. Andrew received his Master of Music degree from University of Southern California, and is the only USC graduate in the school’s history to twice receive the Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award – in 1997 as a member of LAGQ and in 2003 as the sole recipient.
Don Alder
Canada’s own Don Alder is one of the best acoustic guitarists in the world, and one of Canada's premiere harp guitarists. His unique style and energetic performances have been called intense, passionate and awe-inspiring. The reigning champion at the prestigious Winfield, Kansas 2007 International Fingerstyle Championships, he is often referred to as the acoustic Hendrix. Today, he plays to audiences around the world; writes and performs all of his own music, and has released five albums – with another due this year.
Don developed a unique style of playing, which incorporates fingerpicking with simultaneous percussion on the soundboard…a unique weave of deeply textured melody and story. Lyrical and compelling, his original songs – a cross between progressive folk and modern pop – are passionate and haunting, some hard-driven, others light and teasing. His awards include Best Instrumental in the Winfield (Kansas) Song Showcases in 2004, 2005 and 2006; 4th of 300 international candidates at the prestigious European Fingerstyle Competition Open Strings Festival in Germany; first place in the 2004 Vancouver Folk Slam and the Vancouver Guitar Show Shred Contest using just an acoustic guitar; Best 30-Second Instrumental for Week #6 on Acidplanet.com; and 3rd at the BC Star Discovery, 2004 and 2005.
Don has also created original commissioned works for television, radio, theatre, feature films, documentaries and videos, and has endorsements with Yamaha Canada and Dean Markley Strings. His music videos can be seen on youtube.com.
Joe Cruz
Joe Cruz has been a professional musician since the age of 17, freelancing as a guitar player around Vancouver, Canada and writing, recording and performing with various artists. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of British Columbia in 1990, Joe recorded a CD with the alt-rock band Emily Stop and toured across Canada and the USA.
Upon returning from 2 years of touring he joined folk-rock artist Tammi Greer performing various shows accross Canada and guesting on Sarah McLachlan’s Lilith Fair tour in 1997 as well as various TV appearances. Joe has also performed with various groups in Taiwan, Dubai, Thailand, and Indonesia. More recently , Joe toured with Sarah McLachlan in October & November 2006 to promote her Wintersong CD. The tour also included various TV performances on Jay Leno, Ellen Degeneres, Good Morning America, CBS Early Show, Canada AM.
Joe has now made the foray composing for film & TV. His work can be heard on TV shows like the Gemini Award winning mini-series Human Cargo , CTV’s Cold Squad , the risque Showtime series Show Me Yours and more recently the reality series Making it Big on the Life network in Canada and Oxygen Network in the USA, Makeover Wish on HGTV, Blood Ties on Lifetime Network, Just Cause on WTN and Flash Gordon on NBC’s Sci-Fi Channel Joe’s first feature film Protecting The King for Impello Films starring Peter Dobson, Matt Barr, Mark Rolston, and Tom Sizemore had two successful screenings at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2007 and will be distributed worldwide by Echo Bridge Entertainment.
Les Finnigan
Les Finnigan has been writing original compositions for solo guitar for almost 20 years. His love of different styles of music, his unorthodox right hand technique, and his use of alternate tunings contribute to his incomparable style. He has completed 6 releases in the last 8 years, one of which received a Western Canadian Music Award nomination for Outstanding Instrumental recording.
Ron Forbes-Roberts
Ron Forbes-Roberts holds a degree in classical guitar performance from the New England Conservatory of Music and has been teaching and performing for over twenty-five years. While some of his repertoire reflects his classical background, Ron more typically plays his own arrangements of music from a variety of other genres including jazz, pop, Bossa Nova, blues, traditional, and even country and western. He uses techniques from all of these styles in his approach to solo guitar and his arrangements often feature improvised sections.
Ron is also an award winning music writer whose articles have appeared in many magazines including Just Jazz Guitar, CODA, and Acoustic Guitar for which he has been a contributing editor for the past seven years. In 2006, The University of North Texas Press published his book, One Long Tune: The Life and Music of Lenny Breau, the first biography of the late, legendary jazz guitarist, Lenny Breau.
Ron lives, teaches, and performs regularly in Vancouver and Victoria where he is the house guitarist at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
April 20, 2007
Michael Chapdelaine
Michael Chapdelaine is the only guitarist ever to win First Prize in the world's top competitions in both the Classical and Fingerstyle genres; the Guitar Foundation of America International Classical Guitar Competition and the National Fingerstyle Championships at the Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival in Winfield, Kansas. From New York's Lincoln Center to the Cactus Cafe in Austin, from Milano to Bangkok, Michael continues to enchant, dazzle and surprise audiences and critics alike as he redefines the modern acoustic guitar with his amazing technique, "soulful" expressiveness, and versatility as a performer, composer and arranger/producer. His performances, played on both steel string and classical guitars, include musical styles ranging from blues to Bach to country to rhythm n' blues as he wins his audiences hearts with breath taking technique and the poetic magic of his original musical portraits and landscapes.
In the 80's and 90's Michael proved himself to be one of the world's finest classical guitarists; twice winning the coveted National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Grant, and taking First Prize in both the Guitar Foundation of America's and the Music Teachers National Association's Guitar Competitions. He also won the Silver Medal in Venezuela's VIII Concurso International de Guitarra "Alirio Diaz". He has toured four continents while giving hundreds of performances for Affiliate Artists Inc., and various arts promotion organizations
In 1992 he recorded the Sonata Romantica CD, (now re-released as "Mexico"), which many critics and connoisseurs of classical guitar consider to be one of the definitive recordings for the instrument. Acoustic Guitar magazine wrote "... if I were marooned on a desert island with a limited selection of recordings, this one would be among my choices...I have seldom heard a more beautiful album. Other young guitarists have excellent technique, but few have such style and musicality, and Chapdelaine's beautiful tone is the nearest to Segovia's that I can recall." In 1994 Michael turned his attention to pop music, in arranging, producing and recording Time-Life Music's beautiful Guitar by Moonlight collection (also released as "with love"), which sold 250,000 copies in it's first two years in the stores. In 1998, he once again, expanded his musical range and gained instant notoriety and credibility in the "acoustic music" world as a "fingerstyle" guitarist and composer, by winning the National Fingerpicking Championships at Winfield.
Michael is Professor of Music and head of guitar studies at the University of New Mexico, and has previously been on the faculties of the University of Colorado at Denver and Metropolitan State University. He has given master classes throughout the world including, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Peru, Venezuela, Taiwan, Indonesia and at institutions such as, University of Miami, Mannes School of Music, University of Texas, and California State University. His teachers included the great Spanish maestro Andres Segovia.
Don Alder
Don Alder plays acoustic fingerstyle guitar with a passion that has quickly earned him a reputation as Vancouver's "best kept little secret" his inimitable style carries on the acoustic tradition of greats like Tommy Emmanuel, Don Ross, Michael Hedges and Pierre Bensusan. Don is a world class fingerstyle guitarist with a "wow factor" that has led to endorsement deals with 5 world class manufacturers and collaboration with Greenfield guitars to produce a signature acoustic guitar "Don Alder G4" model. www.greenfieldguitars.com. In 2007 Ayers Guitars from Asia will be in production creating a Don Alder model for the international marketplace.
In 1985, he put his music career on hold to assist his lifelong friend, Rick Hansen, with his quest to create awareness for the potential of people with disabilities and to generate funds for spinal cord research. The World Tour (www.RickHansen.com), inspired millions of people throughout the 34 countries visited and raised 24 million dollars. Today, Don still works with Rick in a vital role at the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation, which has had an impact of over 187 million dollars in the field of spinal cord injury. Don says he got involved with the Foundation to "help make a difference" in improving the quality of life of others and now continues to do so with his music.
Don's live performances are awe-inspiring. He took 2nd place at the prestigious 2006 Winfield, Kansas International Fingerstyle championships making him the first acoustic guitarist from B.C. to ever place. He also has won "Best Instrumental" at the Winfield Song Showcase for the last 3 years. Don is currently featured at www.deanmarkley.com strings site as one of the musicians in the songplayer. You can find a variety of videos of Don's music on youtube.com. His recent Harpguitar piece has seen around 39,000 views to date.
He continues to play to Canadian, American, European, and Asian audiences, sharing stages with Grand Master Acousticians such as Peter Finger, Jacques Stotzem, Andy Mckee and Masa Sumide. He has also performed at festivals as a headliner which included artists such as Don Ross, Pierre Bensusan, Del Vazeau, Ric Emmet, Dave Martone.
Cantango
Saxophonist Mike Spindloe arrived in Vancouver from Saskatoon in mid-2003 and since then has steadily established himself as part of the Vancouver scene. He is currently a member of the six-piece retro-swing group Cheap Suit Big Tie, the Brazilian/Cuban ensemble Mistura Fina and the 4Ground Saxophone Quartet, and even does the occasional coffee-house performance as a solo singer/guitarist. While in Saskatoon, Mike was alto saxophonist for the Saskatoon Saxophone Quartet for nine years and performed with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra as well as many other ensembles. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Saxophone Performance in 1991 from the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
Guitarist Martin Nemcovsky moved to Vancouver from his native Rosario, Argentina in 2003, where he recorded two CDs of jazz with his partner Carlos Gantus under the name Jazz Friends, performed at the 2000 International Tango Summit with Cacho Tirao (Astor Piazzolla’s guitarist) and worked as a session guitarist and arranger, and teacher of guitar. Since moving to Vancouver, he has focused primarily on private teaching, with Cantango marking a return to regular performance and recording. His extensive musical education includes private guitar studies with Armando Alonso in Buenos Aires, a Degree in Music Pedagogy from the Municipal Conservatory of Music in Rosario and a Diploma in Orchestration and Composition from the Superior Institute of Art in Havana, Cuba, where he studied in 1992-3.
Kent Hillman
Kent Hillman has studied, performed and taught fingerstyle guitar for over 35 years. The influences of Lenny Breau and Chet Atkins along with many jazz pianists can be heard in his performances and arrangements. His debut CD “Bijoux – Moving Pictures for Guitar” was released in May 2005 to critical acclaim.
“… rich harmonic ideas and jazzy digressions that inform Hillman’s arrangements…. this eclectic program of material is bound together by Hillman’s consistently masterful and expressive guitar work.” Acoustic Guitar Magazine
Kent is a frequent teacher and performer at music camps in the Pacific Northwest and plays casual engagements around Vancouver British Columbia.
Andre Thibault
Andre Thibault is a brilliant guitarist, whose fiery rhythms and stunning technique are drawn from a unique blend of Flamenco and Moorish traditions coloured with jazz, classical, and world music. Andre is equally at home on a wide variety of stringed instruments, flutes and percussive instruments collected from around the world.
Montreal-born and raised, Andre has been a key player on the West Coast world-music scene for more than 20 years. He has participated in many award-winning projects. In addition to numerous individual projects and collaborations, Andre currently performs with the innovative Jou Tou and Silk Road Music, where his many instruments add new sounds and colour to their repertoire.
Andre has performed extensively throughout the world; he creates an instant rapport with his audiences through his love of music, his virtuosity and his sense of humour.
http://www.silkroadmusic.ca/default.htm
April 21, 2006
Ana Vidovic
Ana Vidovic is an extraordinary talent with formidable gifts taking her place amongst the elite guitarists of the world today. Ana comes from the small town of Karlovac near Zagreb, Croatia and started playing guitar at the age of 5, and by 7 had given her first public performance. At the age of 11 she was performing internationally, and at 13 became the youngest student to attend the prestigious National Musical Academy in Zagreb where she studied with Professor Istvan Romer. Ana's reputation in Europe led to an invitation to study at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, USA, with Manuel Barrueco, from where she graduated in May 2003.
At the age of only 23 Ana has won an impressive number of prizes and international competitions all over the world. These include first prizes in the Albert Augustine International Competition in Bath, England, the Fernando Sor competition in Rome, Italy and the Francisco Tarrega competition in Benicasim, Spain. Other top prizes include the Eurovision Competition for Young Artists, the Mauro Giuliani competition in Italy, the Printemps de la Guitare in Belgium and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in New York.
Ana has given over one thousand public performances since first taking the stage in 1988. Her international performance career includes recitals in London, Paris, Vienna, Salzburg, Rome, Budapest, Warsaw, Tel Aviv, Oslo, Copenhagen, Toronto, Baltimore, San Francisco, Houston, Austin, Dallas and St. Louis.
In Croatia she has performed with the Zagreb Soloists and the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra and with Symphony Orchestra of the Croatian Radio and Television, as well as having been featured in three television documentaries by the eminent Croatian film director Petar Krelja.
David Sinclair
As a member of Sarah McLachlan's band from 1993-2003, and with k.d.lang from 92-95, David has toured North America, Europe and the Orient, and appeared on Jay Leno, David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Arsenio Hall, Saturday Night Live, Larry Sanders, Good Morning America, Rosie O'Donnell, MTV Unplugged, VH1 Storytellers, The Grammy Awards Show (93, 98), Juno Awards.
As a studio guitarist, he has worked with many artists including Sarah McLachlan, Matthew Lien, Amy Sky, Rita MacNeil, Paul Janz, Valdy, Susan Jacks, Terry Jacks, Prism, Irish Rovers, Holly Arntzen, Eric Bibb, Gary Fjellgaard, Straight Lines and Body Electric. He has played on and/or written for TV series including North of 60, Reboot, Beast Wars, Bordertown, Fly By Night, Tom Stone, Edgemont, and Weird-Ohs.
He has played with the Vancouver Symphony, The Opera Orchestra and the Vancouver Chamber Choir as well as the pit bands for Showboat, Sunset Boulevard and Jacques Brel. He was featured in articles in Guitar Player magazine in July and August, 1998 and October, 1999. In 1998, David's solo guitar CD, Acoustic Christmas, was given a four and half star rating in the Vancouver Province and his book 'Playing Guitar In A Stage Band' and instructional video "Time and Feel' are available at music shops throughout Canada.
He has been an instructor at the National Guitar Workshop campuses in L.A and Toronto, and Guitar Workshop Plus in Vancouver.
Shutterfly, a band with his son and daughter has recently released their second CD.
604.433.8683 or email dwsplucker@hotmail.com
Jim Woodyard
Jim Woodyard has been in the music business since 1971. His recording career began as a member of the group Revelation, released by London Records and published by Chappall Music.
Jim's abilities as a musician soon led to a busy career in the studio, performing on many albums, jingles and fill scores. He was hired to perform on the debut album of A&M recording artists "Comox" and subsequently joined the group for 2 years.
A singer/songwriter in his own right, in 1977 Jim recorded his first solo album "Basement Suite" which he co-produced with Terry Frewer. The album was distributed by Quality Records nationally and had 4 singles hit the charts. He toured extensively, playing the university concert circuit and opening for such artists as Roger Mcguinn, Roy Orbison, Sugarloaf, Tom Paxton and Trooper.
His Second project was released by Sloth/A&M. However, with a young family, the production and songwriting side of the music business became Jim's main focus.
In 1993 Jim became a director of Creation Studios in Vancouver, B.C., where he produces, arranges, writes and performs. He also continues to work as a free-lance producer and musician for various studios and producers.
In 2000 Jim became an instructor of music production for The Centre for Digital Imaging in Sound (CDIS) now known as The Art Institute of Burnaby (AI).
- Film/TV musician credits include: McGyver, Bordertown; various CBC, National Film Board, Knowledge Network productions; featured films "Cracker Jack" and "Exiles in Paradise"
- Corporate video composer, production and musician credits include: Intrawest Resorts, B.C. Rail "Northwinds" and "C.N.'s "Rocky Montaineer"
- Video Game musican and recording engineer for "The Simpson's – Hit and Run" for Radical Entertainment
- Jungle Musician or vocalist credits include: Kelloggs, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Labatts, Mazda and Nissan
Victor Kolstee
Victor Kolstee has studied with a number of outstanding guitarists, most notably Diego and Paco del Gastor, Justo de Badajoz and Victor Monje "Serranito". In 1979 he moved to Spain where he met Rosario Ancer. They married in 1982 and shortly after joined El Ballet Espanol Maria Velasquez y Paco Mundo which took them to Mallorca, Bangkok and Moscow.
Victor performed regularly in the Cafe de Silviero in Madrid, penas flamencas, private fiestas, Spanish radio and television, and with Lolo de Cadiz and Los Brindis. Since returning to Vancouver and the inception of Flamenco Rosario in 1989, Victor has been music director for the company. As well, he performs extensively for such organizations as Mozaico Flamenco and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Recently he released his inaugural cd, Tocaor, featuring performances from past Vancouver Flamenco Festival guest artists including Antonio de Jerez, Jose Lara and Jesus Montoya. Victor is available for private guitar lessons in addition to the group guitar lessons offered at Centro Flamenco.
http://www.centroflamenco.com/victor.html
Don Alder
Don Alder plays acoustic fingerstyle guitar with a passion that has quickly earned him a reputation as Vancouvers "best kept little secret" his inimitable style carries on the acoustic tradition of greats like Tommy Emmanuel, Don Ross, Michael Hedges and Pierre Bensusan. Don is a world class fingerstyle guitarist with a "wow factor" that has led to endorsement deals with 5 world class manufacturers and a collaboration with Greenfield guitars to produce a signature acoustic guitar "Don Alder G4" model. www.greenfieldguitars.com
Don currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His unique style of playing incorporates fingerpicking with simultaneous percussion on the soundboard to create a wall of sound. He is often referred to as sounding like a 4 piece band.
In 1985, he put his music career on hold to assist his lifelong friend, Rick Hansen, with his quest to create awareness for the potential of people with disabilities and to generate funds for spinal cord research. The World Tour (www.RickHansen.com), inspired millions of people throughout the 34 countries visited and raised 24 million dollars. Today, Don still works with Rick in a vital role at the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation, which has had an impact of over 150 million dollars in the field of spinal cord injury. Don says he got involved with the Foundation to "help make a difference" in improving the quality of life of others and now continues to do so with his music.
Don's live performances are awe-inspiring. He has competed in the prestigious Winfield, Kansas International Fingerpicking championships, and won "best instrumental" in the Winfield Song Showcases in 2004 and 2005. He placed 4th out of 300 international candidates at the prestigious International Fingerstyle Competition Open Strings Festival in Osnabrueck, Germany.
Don also took first place in the 2004 Vancouver Folk Slam and the Vancouver Guitar Show "Shred Contest" using just and acoustic guitar. Don recently won the Best 30 Second instrumental for Week #6 on the infamous online Acidplanet.com. He also came 3rd place at the BC Star Discovery in 2004 and 2005.
He continues to play to Canadian, American, European, and Asian audiences, sharing stages with Grand Master Acousticians such as Peter Finger, Jacques Stotzem and Masa Sumide. He has also performed at festivals as a headliner which included artists such as Don Ross, Pierre Bensusan, Del Vazeau, Ric Emmet, Dave Martone.
April 22, 2005
David Cullen
David Cullen is a GRAMMY AWARD WINNER for BEST POP INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING. David Cullen holds a BM in classical Guitar Performance from the Hartt School of Music. He was a featured soloist in the 2004 New York Guitar Festival. He has performed with Will Ackerman, Samite of Uganda, Michael Manring, Victor Wooten, The Jaco Big Band and members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. His performances have included a dazzling wide range of styles including Classical, Jazz and World music idioms. He has studied with Sharon Isbin and Ralph Towner. He currently teaches at Elizabethtown College and Albright College. He has recorded 9 Cds for the guitar label Solid Air Records. He is featured on the Windham Hill Guitar Sampler and other Windham Hill Compilation CDs. David Cullen has released 2 books through Warner Brothers Publications, Jazz, Classical and Beyond as well as Grateful Guitar. He has performed throughout North America. His recordings have been featured on NPR stations across the country.
For more information on David, check out his website at: www.cullenguitar.com
Jeff Bowman
Jeff Bowman was born into a Military family in Ottawa Ontario. His father was posted to France, Nova Scotia, and Ontario, Saskatchewan and eventually to British Columbia. A child of the 60's and unaware of the Cold War, Jeff had begun learning guitar from Mr. Bob Wilson. Mr. Wilson was a musician/Military Radar Technician on the Canadian Forces Station known as Sagehill Saskatchewan. The isolated nature of this Cold War Radar Site lent to many hours of practice that began a lifetime of music for Jeff.
Moving to Chilliwack BC presented many more musical opportunities. Jeff studied with local Classical Guitarist Walter Friesen and started taking the Toronto Conservatory exams. In 1993 he received his Grade 10 certificate in Classical Guitar from the Toronto Conservatory of Music. He had also studied with the late Jan Smit from the Royal Canadian Engineer Band in Chilliwack BC.
Hahn Nguyen
Hanh Nguyen was born the youngest of eleven in Saigon, Vietnam in 1965. She learned to play the guitar by ear at the age of seven, and began formal study of the flamenco guitar when she was twelve. Four years later, when the Vietnamese government permitted it, the Nguyen family moved to Vancouver, Canada, where Hanh blossomed into a top-notch, in-demand performer specializing in classical guitar but also excelling in flamenco. She holds performance degrees from Vancouver Community College and Western Washington University, and has performed in masterclasses for Leo Brouwer, Pepe Romero, David Russell, Manuel Barrueco and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. Hanh has won many competitions, including the first annual Northwest Guitar Competition, and has performed with both the Vancouver Philharmonia Orchestra and the Western Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed extensively with the Canadian Guitar Trio and as a duo with Seattle guitarist Mark Wilson. Hanh now teaches guitar at the Vancouver Academy of Music and S. K. Lee College.Recently, Hanh released Amor del Mundo, a CD that features guitar music from Latin America and around the world.
Jeff Sigurdson
http://www.sigurdsonguitars.com
April 23, 2004
Les Finnigan
Les Finnigan has been described by the press as "a guitar wizard", "a gifted stylist", a "talented composer", and a "guitar virtuoso". He was the 1996 winner of both the National Guitar Summer Workshop's Guitar Competition and the Vancouver Unplugged Guitar Competition. His love of different styles of music, his unorthodox right hand technique, and his use of alternate tunings contribute to his incomparable style. His music is regularly heard across Canada on both the CBC Radio One and CBC Radio Two programs. In 1998 he started the record label String Plunker Records, and since then has released 4 CDs. His 4th CD, "Steel String Portraits" has just received a Western Canadian Music Award nomination for "Outstanding Instrumental Recording." He also produces an annual concert at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre called the West Coast Guitar Night.
John Gilliat
Inspired by the sounds of Paco de Lucia, Paco Pena, Sabicas and many others. John Gilliat has dedicated himself to the sounds of the Flamenco guitar. In 1995 he won "Best Acoustic Guitar Performance" in the Music West Star Frets Competition, won Vancouver's Unplugged Competition in 1996 and in 1997 was a finalist in Vancouver's Global StarQuest. In May of 1999 John released his first independent instrumental CD titled "Freedom". His follow-up album "Peace" was nominated for the West Coast Music Awards "Best Instrumental Release" in 2002. His latest CD will be released in the spring of 2004. He has toured Canada, the United States, and Japan and his recordings can be heard on CBC Radio Canada. John also performs with Vancouver's very exciting hot club gypsy jazz quartet Gypsalero. www.johngilliat.com
Kent Hillman
Kent Hillman has studied, performed and taught fingerstyle guitar for over 35 years. His playing style and complex arrangements reflect his reverence for the music of Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Lenny Breau and George Van Epps as well as classical and South American music. Kent teaches and performs at music camps in the Pacific Northwest and is currently completing his first commercial solo fingerstyle guitar recording including his own arrangements of movie themes.
Martin Simpson
Martin Simpson is a versatile and accomplished guitarist, composer and producer. Originally from Newcastle, England, he began playing guitar at the age of ten and has been influenced by the wide variety of musical styles that he listened to including rock, blues, jazz and world music. While in college, he met fellow guitarist Andre Stephen and the two formed the dynamic Latin jazz band, Alma Libre. The band has released two very successful CD's, performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and opened for the Rite Of Strings (Al DiMeola, Stanley Clarke and Jean-Luc Ponty). Martin's music has also been featured in film, television and advertising.
Doug Towle
Doug Towle first picked up the guitar at age 12 and studied jazz and classical music in college. He began focusing on the acoustic guitar in 1997 and formed De La Terra in 2000, a neuvo flamenco quartet, releasing their first album that same year. In 2002 Doug released "Nine Days Later", his first album of solo acoustic guitar music. International acoustic guitarist Peppino D' Augustino describes Doug as a "great player" with "great songs." His solo CD is a spectacular example of his craftsmanship as a composer and prowess as a player. With amazing finesse and artistry, he uses the guitar as a melodic, rhythmic and percussive instrument all at once.
April 17, 2003
Muriel Anderson
Widely respected as the premier woman fingerstyle guitarist on the scene today, Muriel Anderson is the first woman to have won the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship. She is the founder of the "Muriel Anderson's ALL STAR GUITAR NIGHT."
From Bach to Bacharach Anderson has taken the music of her mentors, Chet Atkins and Christopher Parkening, and has combined them with a heart and a style that is uniquely her own. Mixed with a gentle sense of humour, her show spans the musical world from Japanese Koto music and Spanish flamenco to the Beatles, and to her own adventurous compositions.
A prolific composer, Muriel has recently completed commissioned works for the Nashville Chamber Orchestra and Vox Caelestis Women's Choir. She has released seven CD's in the US and three in Japan, two videos, and has authored numerous articles and instructional books. Her music for guitar and cello "Theme for Two Friends" has received widespread acclaim, and her "Heartstrings" cassette travelled as far as outer space, accompanying the astronauts on a space shuttle mission.
Muriel Anderson has founded a very active national charity to help provide musical instruments to young people. Many of her concerts benefit the Music for Life Alliance. www.musicforlifealliance.org For more info and recordings and upcoming performances, visit: www.murielanderson.com
April 19, 2002
Don Ross
One of today's true innovators of guitar composition and technique, Don Ross has emerged as 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. The son of a Scottish immigrant father and a Mikm'aq aboriginal mother, Don was born in 1960 into a musical family. He first started experimenting with the solo possibilities of the acoustic guitar at the age of eight. By age ten he was playing in alternate tunings and exploring "fingerstyle" technique, a right hand discipline similar to classical guitar playing. Preferring to write original music and develop a personal style, Don's self-taught journey on the instrument has encouraged him to follow his musical intuition. The result is an unclassifiable musical style that borrows from jazz, folk, rock and classical music. When asked, Don usually pigeonholes his music as "Heavy Wood!" Don graduated from the Music Department of Toronto's York University in 1983, but waited until 1986 to start pursuing a career as a performer. After his first win at Winfield, Don was asked to sign with Duke Street Records. He recorded three CDs for Duke Street over the course of the next four years: Bearing Straight, Don Ross and Three Hands. The CDs met with unanimous critical acclaim and numerous tours across Canada and the U.S. Don even played at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
Don signed a new recording deal with Columbia/Sony Music in 1994, releasing his first album for the label, This Dragon Won't Sleep, in 1995. Since the album's release, Don has toured extensively, including six tours of Germany with Vancouver singer/guitarist Michael Friedman. In the fall of 1996 Don released Wintertide, an instrumental album of traditional Christmas tunes played in his trademark style. Lynn Saxberg of the Ottawa Citizen called the CD a "masterpiece," and the public response was no less enthusiastic.
Don's next record, Loaded. Leather. Moonroof. was released in November, 1997. The album ".is another chapter in [his] exploration for a rich sense of harmony and groove," according to Don. The CD treats Don's listeners to a compilation of diverse sounds that reflects his influence by all types of music. On this album, Don passionately plays the six-string and seven-string guitars as well as the dobro. He is often accompanied by several other musicians whom all add their specialty. Don considers the first track, "Loaded. Leather. Moonroof." the most powerful tune he has recorded to date, due partly to a great solo by bassist Mark Egan, who asked to play with Don last year. Mark's previous work includes collaborations with guitar great Pat Metheny, singer Joan Osbourne and countless others. The collection of tunes on Loaded. Leather. Moonroof. carries Don further past the usual style boundaries associated with acoustic music, proving that he is certainly not just a folk musician, but rather a modern music man. In late 1998, Don was voted Toronto's Favourite Local Guitarist by the readers of NOW Magazine, an influential news and entertainment paper.
Don's Passion Session CD, recorded in Berlin's Passionskirche, was released in March 1999 on Narada/Virgin Records. The recording brings Don back to his roots as a solo fingerstyle guitarist, as he produces his first totally solo album ever for Narada's Masters of Acoustic Guitar series. Don got the news of the offer of a new contract with Narada while on tour in Germany in November 1998. The planned release date for his first CD for the company was so soon that he decided to team up with his recording engineer friend Knut Becker right away and record the album straight to two-track digital through a Schoeps stereo microphone in the acoustically perfect confines of the Passionskirche (The Church of the Passion) in Berlin's funky Kreuzberg neighbourhood. The Passionskirche is of course used for sacred services but also serves many evenings a week as a live music venue, hosting jazz acts and chamber ensembles from around the world. Berliners consider it one of their best venues both in terms of atmosphere and acoustics. The eleven tracks on Passion Session comprise some of the best pieces for solo guitar that Don has composed. Nine brand new titles (written mostly while touring in Europe) are complemented by Don's own "First Ride" (a perennial favourite with his fans and now brought to a wider audience), and David Essig's classic "Berkley Springs."
Don's latest recording, Huron Street, is comprised of 12 new recordings of pieces already familiar to his fans in Canada. Since the tunes originally appeared on CDs that were only ever released in Canada, Don decided to make some of his favourite earlier pieces available to the wider audience he reaches through his association with Narada Records. All 12 performances are new ones, each taking a unique twist on the tunes: some of these have appeared before as ensemble pieces and are now captured solo. Two pieces that were originally recorded solo are now presented as duets with amazing young upright bassist Jordan O'Connor. Certain compositions originally recorded on the standard guitar are now played on the baritone. The reaction has been very positive, with Huron Street reaching the Top Ten on Billboard's New Age chart this past summer.
Don has spent the last 20 years living in Toronto, New York, Alberta and Massachusetts. He and his family recently moved to a small village northeast of Toronto.
Dr. Peter Gouzouasis
Dr. Peter Gouzouasis is the Coordinator for Music Education at the University of British Columbia. His numerous experiences with guitar include jazz studies with Joe Federico, Tom Giacabetti, and Joe Sgro, and Dennis Sandole and classical studies with David Baskin and Peter Segal. Before moving to British Columbia in 1990, Peter performed with national tours of Broadway shows, big bands, rock groups, and jazz combos all over North America, and has taught private and class guitar from middle school though university levels. http://cust.educ.ubc.ca/faculty/gouzouasis.html
April 20, 2001
Victor Kolstee
Victor Kolstee began his studies of flamenco guitar in 1965 and in 1975 he continued his studies in Spain. There he studied with various outstanding guitarists, most notably Diego and Paco del Gastor, Justo de Badajoz and Victor Monje "Serranito". In 1979 he moved to Spain where he met Rosario and in 1982 they were married in Madrid. Shortly thereafter, they were offered contracts with El Ballet Espanol Maria Velasquex y Paco Mundo which took them to Mallorca, Bangkok and Moscow.
Victor performed regularly in the Cafe de Silverio in Madrid, Penas flamencas, private fiestas, Spanish radio and television and with Lolo de Cadiz and "Los Brindis". Since returning to Vancouver in 1989, Victor has performed extensively with the Rosario Ancer Flamenco Dance Company, Mozaico Flamenco, the Vancouver Symphony and he has been the musical director for all the Annual Flamenco Festivals.
David Sinclair
As a member of Sarah McLachlan's band since 1993, and with k.d. lang from 92-95, David has appeared on Jay Leno, David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Arsenio Hall, Saturday Night Live, Larry Sanders, Good Morning America, Rosie O'Donnell, MTV Unplugged, VH1 Storytellers, The Grammy Awards Show (93, 98), Juno Awards, and the TV special, Mirrorball.
As a studio guitarist, he has worked with many artists including Sarah McLachlan, Amy Sky, Rita MacNeil, Paul Janz, Valdy, Susan Jacks, Terry Jacks, Prism, Irish Rovers, Gary Fjellgaard, Straight Lines and Body Electric. He has recorded four CD's with Holly Arntzen. He has played on and/or written for TV series including North of 60, Reboot, Beast Wars, Fly By Night, Bordertown, Max Glick, Hope Island and Weird-Ohs.
He has played with the Vancouver Symphony, The Opera Orchestra and the Vancouver Chamber Choir as well as the pit bands for Showboat, Sunset Boulevard and Jacques Brel.
He was featured in articles in Guitar Player magazine in July and August, 1998 and October, 1999.
In 1999, David accompanied west coast artist Kent Fiddy, to The Orkney Islands Traditional Music Festival and in August, 2000 to the Maritimes for festivals in Miramachi, Springhill and New Glasgow.
David has taught at Capilano College in North Vancouver as well as at the National Guitar Summer Workshop, California Campus. He is an Advisory Board member for the Selkirk College Music Program in Nelson, B.C. He has released three instructional videos for guitar.
In 1998, David's solo guitar CD, Acoustic Christmas, was given a four and half star rating in the Vancouver Province.
Dr. Peter Gouzouasis
Dr. Peter Gouzouasis is the Coordinator for Music Education at the University of British Columbia. His numerous experiences with guitar include jazz studies with Joe Federico, Tom Giacabetti, and Joe Sgro, and Dennis Sandole and classical studies with David Baskin and Peter Segal. Before moving to British Columbia in 1990, Peter performed with national tours of Broadway shows, big bands, rock groups, and jazz combos all over North America, and has taught private and class guitar from middle school though university levels. http://cust.educ.ubc.ca/faculty/gouzouasis.html
April 28, 2000
Celso Machado
Virtuoso guitarist and percussionist, Celso Machado, brings joy to his audiences with his subtle mixture of musical inspiration, irresistible rhythm and inspired lunacy. he is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and exciting musician/composers of Brazilian music today. He has been trail blazing his way through the Canadian concert circuit for more than ten years. His guitar technique is but one of his passions; his gift for making music out of anything and everything around us is his mission in life.
Born in 1953 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to a family of musicians, he began playing professionally at the age of 16. With a sold career in Brazil and several solo guitar recordings behind him, he toured Europe from 1983-1989 before immigrating to Canada.
His European tour led to the publication of his sheet music by Editions Henry Lemoine, Paris. As a result numerous artists have chosen to record his compositions and his works are widely taught in the French conservatories.
Celso has recorded with many Canadian, Brazilian and European artists but can best be heard on his numerous and exquisite solo recordings. His 1997 recording Varal was nominated for a Juno award in the best Global recording category.
Brazilian music has arisen out of various blends of African, Portuguese and Indigenous influences. While Celso's music is rooted in these rhythmic and melodic styles, it also reflects his incurable fascination with other world music traditions. He finds similarities between the music of southern Italy and northeast Brazil, the Egyptian Maqsoum and the Brazilian Baiao rhythm, the Moroccan Gnawa rhythm and Afoxe and Samba. Celso incorporates these influences into his own sound, his own unique contribution to the ongoing evolution of Brazilian music.
Stuart Tarbuck
Stuart Tarbuck was born in Vancouver in 1952 (yes - a Vancouver original). At the age of 14, Stuart decided to pursue a career in music, so after graduating from high school in 1970, he began a music degree at UBC, where he studied voice. While there he developed an interest in audio recording, and spent two years as a student assistant for the Department of Music recording facility.
He graduated in 1975 and sang for a few years with the Vancouver Chamber Choir and theVancouver Opera, as well as at Christ Church Cathedral, where he still sings. He has also sang with Phoenix Chamber Choir for over ten years. In 1978 he decided to start offering a recording service primarily aimed at classical musicians. His first commercial project was, appropriately enough, a guitar LP.
Over the years he has recorded albums for a number of local ensembles, ranging from mediaeval music for voice and vielle, bassoon and guitar, harp, to choral albums for Chor Leoni Men's Choir and Elektra Women's Choir, and a few "non-classical" projects such as Tum Balalaika Klezmer Ensemble and the Langley Ukelele Ensemble. He also does a fair bit of live concert recording and demo and competition work. In addition to his recording activities, he is also the Surtitles Coordinator for the Vancouver Opera, where he translates, creates and cues the surtitles for their productions.
Dan Ramsden
Dan Ramsden has a Bachelor's degree in music from UBC and a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. He has been a High School Counselor for the last thirteen years. He is the Past President of the B.C. High School Guitar Teacher's Association and has been teaching Guitar classes with Surrey Continuing Education for the last eight.
April 23, 1999
Harris Van Berkel
Harris Van Berkel has been playing the guitar for over 30 years probably best known for his work with the award-winning group Skywalk. As a sessi musician, he has recorded with Chicago, Rita McNeal, Paul Janz, Valdy, Shari Ulric and Ann Mortifee to name a few. He has performed on countless CDs, jingles, TV, and radio shows. Harris has also been voted "guitarist of the year" twice at the Caras Awards honoring Western Canadian musicians. Mr. Van has toured extensively in the United States, Canada, and Europe and has played in concert with Gene Pitney, Jim Byrnes, Long John Baldry, Martha & the Vandellas and the Fifth Dimension among many others.
Bruce Clausen
See Bio in 1998
Carolyn Canfield Cole (Violin)
After completing her Bachelor of Music degree with Denes Zsigmondy at the University of Washington, Carolyn Canfield Cole was awarded two Fulbright scholarships to enable her to study with Max Rostal and complete her Performance Certificate in Cologne, Germany. During the summem she studied in Zurich with Nathan Milstein and in Nice, France with Aaron Rosand. She has been a member of the Vancouver Symphony since 1982, and is active as a chamber music recitalist and teacher.
Daniel Stickel
Daniel Stickel graduated from the Musical Instrument Construction program at Douglas College in 1988. He studied with master luthier Geza Burghardt, building classical guitars in the Spanish tradition. In 1994, Stickel received a grant from the Canada Council to continue his training in Spain. In Cordoba, he studied guitar making with Jose Romanillos, the renowned Spanish luthier. Daniel Stickel continues guitar making in Vancouver.
Allan Anderson
Allan has been teaching music in the school system (K-12) 26 years. He has also been a sessional instructor at UBC since 1991 where he Multimedia and Electronic Music courses. Allan's secondary music program has always included guitar instruction as well as Band, Jazz Band/Choir, Concert Choir, and Music Composition. Through his work on Ministry of Education IRP's, he has maintained a strong perspective on available computer hardware and software and how it might apply to the music classroom in order to better support learning. There is a wealth of software available for guitar instruction through local music stores and the Internet. Many of the programs and resources will be discussed and demonstrated in the Teacher's Forum.
Ted Greene
After receiving his degree in Music Education at the University of Western Ontario, Ted Greene began teaching at Vancouver Community College. Ted's involvement in music education has led him to the Courtenay Youth Music Centre, the Delta Conservatory of Music, Trebas Institute of Recording Arts, and the Banff Centre and to teaching Music Theory, Ear Training, Orchestration, Computers and MIDI, Ensemble and Choral Conducting, and trumpet and chamber music coaching. He is presently researching and developing computer-assisted materials for the study of music "online". He is Program Coordinator of music courses through the VCC Continuing Education Department. At Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Ted teaches Music Rudiments and Music and Computers.
April 24, 1998
Bruce Clausen
Bruce Clausen began his varied career, in San Francisco's 1960s rock scene. For over twenty years now, he has been an active player and teacher in the Vancouver area, working in both the classical and jazz fields. He has performed with the Canadian Chamber Ensemble, Vancouver Symphony, Tudor Singers of Montreal, and with jazz greats Henry Mancini and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. Last season he played guitar with Vancouver Opera and banjo in "Ragtime". Now on faculty at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, he formerly taught classical guitar at U.B.C., and jazz guitar at Western Washington University and Vancouver Community College. Bruce is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and of the Conservatoire National de Musique in Nice, France.
Frank Bliven
Frank Bliven, classical and baroque guitarist, renaissance and baroque lutenist, received his Bachelor of Music degree in classical guitar performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1972. At the conservatory he studied guitar privately and in master classes with Michael Lorimer and the histor5y and literature of the guitar and related fretted instruments with Robert Strizich. He received his Master of Arts degree in classical guitar performance from Western Washington University in 1976, at which time he continued his studies with Michael Lorimer and also performed in a master class with Christopher Parkening. In the area of related fretted instruments, Mr. Bliven has received instruction from renaissance lutenist, Ray Nurse, renaissance and baroque lutenist, Eugen Dombois, and baroque guitar specialist, Robert Strizich. Frank Bliven's recitals and lecture/workshops given at colleges and universities each year include compositions and topics related to the fretted instrument literature from the Renaissance to the present.
Tom Koven
Tom Koven is well known and respected as a music instructor at Eric Hamber Secondary School in Vancouver. He has been teaching the guitar in the high schools for over twenty-five years and has presented workshops and lectures on the guitar for high school instructors at the British Columbia Music Educators Conference.
