Herschel Freeman Agency

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011 U.S. TOUR

 

For the January/February 2011 U.S. tour, Brian will be joined by Clive Carroll, England's show-stopping steel string guitarist and favorite IGN alumnus; Alexandre Gismonti, the son and protege of legendary Brazilian guitarist Egberto Gismonti, and Pino Forastiere from Italy, whose two handed melodic style has placed him at the forefront of the new contemporary steel string guitar world.

 

The Performers

Clive Carroll

clive carrollClive Carroll was recently described as“the best and most original young acoustic guitar player and composer in Britain” (Acoustic Guitar Magazine).

Clive was born on April 8, 1975 and has been immersed in a diverse range of music ever since.  His mother plays the button accordian and sings traditional Irish ballads.  His father is an accomplished bodhran player, banjo player, and instrument maker. Putting his considerable skill to use when Clive was little more than eighteen months old, his father made him his first banjo.  By the age of ten, Clive was performing regularly with his family band, and as a soloist. At the age of twelve, Clive took up the guitar. Only eleven years later, in the summer of 1998, he achieved a 1st Class Honours degree in Classical Guitar& Composition from Trinity College of Music, London.

Throughout his musical career, Clive has been awarded an array of prizes including;
1994 John Halford Prize for Composition
1994 Gladys Puttick Memorial Prize for Extemporisation
1997 Ivor Mairants Guitar Award
1997 Continuum Ensemble ~ National Improvisation Competition (Finalist)
1998 Gladys Puttick Memorial Prize for Extemporisation
1998 Montagu Cleeve Prize for Guitar
1999 Essex Young Musician of the Year

Clive's debut solo album was released in 1999 under the Old Bridge Music record label and has been lauded by John Renbourn, John Williams and Christy Moore amongst others. He has toured most recently with John Renbourn, Tommy Emmanuel, and Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, and in 2004 Clive was included in Total Guitar Magazine's “Top 10 Acoustic Guitarists of all Time”.   His 2nd CD, the Red Guitar, was released in Summer 2004 to great critical acclaim.

In 1998, CLIVE CARROLL (born in Chelmsford) was given the opportunity to play at his local pub with JOHN RENBOURN - one of the world's seminal and still hugely influential guitarists. John was also a pivotal member of PENTANGLE, a group that also featured BERT JANSCH and JACQUI McSHEE. That night, Renbourn encouraged him to record a solo album, and finally in 1999 after playing a support to CHRIS NEWMAN & MAIRE Ni CHATHASAIGH, Clive was given his first record deal by their label, ‘Old Bridge Music’.

The only guitar player to win the Essex Young Musician of the Year (1999), Clive’s long awaited 2nd solo album, 'The Red Guitar' contains eleven original pieces as well as works by Gilbert Biberian & Wayne Shorter,(formerly of jazz supremos, WEATHER REPORT). This is just one stunning review -

Truly a guitarist for all seasons, Carroll here delivers an album full of ornamentation and filigree, putting him up there with his peers such as John Renbourn and Tommy Emmanuel. Inspirations run from newgrass and fusion jazz to the inevitable Irish stylings, all cleanly arranged and immaculately interpreted. Rating: THUMBS UP!  ( FRoots magazine)

His first solo CD, 'Sixth Sense' received an unusually high level of attention from radio shows, reviewers and journalists and has since been described as "a milestone in the journey of the steel-string guitar". Over the next two years John Renbourn took Clive on tour all over Europe and America. In 2002 the BMG/RCA record label took an interest in Clive. He recorded solo for them on one album, which is still selling very well.

 

Pino Forastiere

Pino ForastiereThe music of Italian guitarist Pino Forastiere 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, Pino moved with his family to Rome in his early childhood. In 1992 he graduated from one of the most prestigious European Music Academy, Santa Cecilia Conservatory of Rome, with a degree in classical guitar, taking his final exam with a ten-string classical guitar. In the following years, he used this ten-string guitar in live performances with baroque, contemporary and original repertoire. 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.

Pino Forastiere lives in Rome, Italy; he performs in festival and venues in Italy, United States and Canada, also for classical societies; in January 2008 he premiered at Teatro Palladium in Rome “Why Not?”, an epic concerto for electro-acoustic guitar and string orchestra (Roma Tre Orchestra, conductor Pietro Mianiti). Live recording of the concerto “Why Not?” is contained and gives the title to his third solo album, released by Candyrat Records (2008). His latest work, “Live DVD/CD” (Candyrat, 2009) is a 'best of' from all his previous solo compositions.

Since 2003, year of release of his debut solo album “Rag Tap Boom”, Pino collaborates with the fingerstyle leading authority John Stropes, Director of Guitar Studies of the UWM University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and editor of guitar composer such as Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges, Alex de Grassi.

» It’s hard to find a CD for solo instrument that
could be completely appreciated also by non-instrumentists: here
is one.
Daniele Bergesio, World Music Magazine

» Contrary to the in-your-face approach taken by many of his
peers, Forastiere opts to delay overt flexing of his guitar muscles
until quite late in the disc, thus drawing the listener in with his
gentle musical narrative rather than with garish technical
displays. This disc is truly exceptional because its virtuosic
qualities are secondary to its inception as a piece of fine art.
Timothy Smith, Minor7th.com

» Like Hedges, Forastiere employes a dazzling blend of slapping,
tapping, strumming, altered tunings and harmonics. However, he
also combines those elements with classical phrasing and a focus
on distinct and addictive melodies.
Anil Prasad, Guitar Player

Alexandre Gismonti

GismontiA guitarist from a renowned family, with a profound musical knowledge, Alexandre Gismonti has developed his own language as both a performer and composer.

With his father, the legendary Egberto Gismonti, he has played in major theaters and festivals in Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Cuba, México, the Dominican Republic, Italy, Spain, Israel, Denmark, Portugal, and France.

As a soloist, Alexandre has performed in theaters both in Brazil and abroad, including the Baden Powell Room, Finep, Ibam, Cecília Meirelles, SESCs, Furnas Cultural, Municipal Theaters in several cities, and the series “Music in the Stars” (Planetarium of Rio de Janeiro) in “Music at the Museum”.

In 2002, Alexandre represented Brazil in the international guitar festival “Entre Cuerdas”, in Chile. In 2003, he performed as a soloist in the 41st Villa-Lobos Festival, in Rio de Janeiro. In 2004, he was selected for the 7th Visa award prize of Brazilian music, in São Paulo.

In 2001, Alexandre made his recording debut with Egberto Gismonti on the disk "Nicanor Teixeira ” (Rob Digital). In 2006, he recorded his own arrangements, interpreted by the great singer Jane Duboc, in the disk "Golfinho Gaivota" (Independent). 

Alexandre's compositions have been selected for important Brazilian instrumental music festivals, such as the 1st Festival Guarulhos instrumental (Guarulhos-SP), the 1st Tim festival of “choro” (Belem-PA), and the 7th Visa prize.

He has received much critical praise in both the Brazilian and foreign press. According to the newspaper “Brecha”, Uruguay, July 2001:

“The son of Egberto is a young guitar virtuoso. Alexandre`s approach is very different from that of his father...he played with an amazing interpretive authority for his age of 20”.

As the culmination of a long and illuminating musical journey, Alexandre returned to the studio in 2007 to record another duet record with his father for ECM Records. In this project, Alexandre split with Egberto all the arrangements and compositions for two guitars.

In 2009, Alexandre's first solo CD will be released. As an established touring artist, Alexandre performs in various configurations. In solo performances or with his trio, he presents a repertoire ranging from new arrangements of Brazilian music classics to his own compositions. He also plays in another trio, with Eli Joory (saxophonist and composer) and Michel Maciel (guitarist). And, Alexandre regularly appears beside Egberto Gismonti, bringing new music and new acclaim to his father's brilliant career, and assurance that his legacy lives on in capable hands.

Brian Gore

Brian Gore"Brian Gore's strong, well developed melodies and intriguing chord sequences set him apart from the myriad of steel-string fingerstylists who compose in open tunings.  His finely crafted poetic "songs without words" take the listener on a spellbinding emotional ride.”
    --Ron Forbes Roberts, Acoustic Guitar Magazine

“An artist of the highest caliber.”
--Ray Toumey, the Boulder Chautauqua

San Francisco guitar poet Brian Gore is gaining a reputation as one of the most interesting and influential performers of "the next generation" in fingerstyle guitar. A musical romantic, his compositions draw inspiration from myth and modern literature. Hailed as having "...one of the most unique new acoustic guitar styles on the scene today (News and Review)," his lyrical, understated compositions integrate classical and percussive techniques that display what the Los Angeles Times calls "a characterful bounce and spaciousness all his own."

Gore’s style of playing offers strikingly beautiful tone and dynamics-- qualities that are often hard to find in steel string players.  His melodic, evocative songs rely heavily on the use of open tunings, extending the “stream of consciousness” style of guitar composing he grew up with in Northern California.  “Music started out as a kind of therapy for me,” says Gore.  “Consequently, I am a very emotional player. Now, my style of playing has also become a well honed craft. I am very grateful I can share this with people.”

His buoyant personality and odd sense of humor help add lightness to his shows.  “By the time I’m done with a performance,” explains Gore, “people really know the meaning of the term ‘extroverted introvert’.”  While Gore integrates some of the flashier percussive techniques into his pieces, the poetic quality of his music is preserved.  “Because my music is simple and somewhat rootsy, it’s easy to relate to, which is something I’m thankful for.  Also, it helps keep me grounded.”

Gore is an artist in residence at the Boulder Chautauqua, and endorses LR Baggs Equipment, Ryan Guitars and Morris Guitars. He is founder of the International Guitar Night, sponsored by Acoustic Guitar Magazine. His first CD, produced by Peppino D’Agostino, is called The Path of Least Resistance. His second CD, Legacy: Solo Guitar and Duets, is available on Germany’s Acoustic Music Records Label.  His music has been featured on NPR’s nationally syndicated Echoes Radio, and many other local public radio programs.

Brian founded The International Guitar Night in 1995 as a forum for the world's finest guitarists/composers to play their latest original songs and share musical ideas with their peers in public concert.  This has evolved into critically acclaimed annual tours in the US (starting in 2000),  Canada (starting in 2006) and the UK (starting in 2007),  a CD on Favored Nations Records released in 2004, a guitar instruction book published in 2005, and IGN releases on Warner Music Canada (the 3rd annual CD will be released in 2008).


 

 

Press Photos

Xan Divulgacao Pino Forastiere Brian Gore Clive Carroll

 

Tour Schedule

2011

January 13 Wolf Trap Barns, Vienna VA
January 14 Natick Center for the Arts, Natick MA
January 15 Gordon Center, Owings Mills MD
January 16 Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing NY
January 19 Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis MN
January 21 Arts Place, Portland IN
January 22 McAninch Center, Glen Ellyn IL
January 26 Manship Theatre, Baton Rouge LA
January 27 Lucas Theater, Savannah GA
January 28 University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI
January 29 Callahan's, Auburn Hills MI
February 2 Schulman Theater, Carlsbad CA
February 4 Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix AZ
February 5 Columbia Theatre, Longview WA
February 6 Lincoln Theater, Mt. Vernon WA

 

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