Fabio Zanon   October 10, 1997, Contemporary Art Center of Virginia; Oct 11, 1997, Williamsurg Regional LIbrary Theater

The Brazilian guitarist Fabio Zanon came to international prominence in 1996, when he won the first prize at the 14th GFA International competition a few weeks after having won the first prize at the 30th "Francisco Tarrega" International Competition, the most prestigious guitar contest in Europe -- an unprecedented achievement in the guitar world.

Fabio Zanon was born in Brazil. He first studied music with his father, and gave his first solo concert at the age of 16. He made his orchestral debut at 18, playing Villa-Lobos' Guitar Concerto in São Paulo. Nevertheless, he only decided to become a professional performer in 1987, after having completed his education at the University of São Paulo, where he also studied conducting, composition and musicology. In 1986 and 87 he was awarded the coveted "Young Concert Artists Prize" (twice) and the "Dell'Arte Prize" in Rio de Janeiro, which led to his first performances outside of his native country.

Zanon has performed extensively in Great Britain, South America, Iberia and Italy. In 1997 he will be touring Brazil and the USA (as part of his competition prize), as well as Great Britain, Scandinavia and Spain. In 1997 he will also be releasing three CDs, for the labels EGTA (Brazil), Music-Masters (USA) and Opera Tres (Spain).

Simon Dinnigan   October 24, 1997, Williamsurg Regional Library Theater; October 25, 1997, Chrysler Museum Theater

Born in Sheffield, England in 1968, this young English guitarist was from the early age of nine hailed as a child prodigy by leading musicians and teachers throughout the UK.

In 1982 Simon Dinnigan won a scholarship to study at the prestigious "Chetham's School of Music" in Manchester. He went on to study at the "Royal Northern College of Music" and at the "Guildhall School of Music and Drama" in London, where he won the "Principal's Guitar Prize". While still at the Guildhall, Simon was spotted by José Tomás, Spain's most respected professor of Guitar, and was subsequently invited to study with the Maestro in Alicante, Spain.

Although still in his twenties, Simon has over a decade of experience, having played at prestigious venues all over Europe, USA, Central America, South America and South East Asia. He is currently Principal Guitar Tutor at the Conservatoire of Music in Birmingham, UK, and was an instructor and featured performer at the 1996 Bath Guitar Festival. His concerts in Tidewater, Virginia, were most impressive.

Stephen Bennett   December 6, 1997, Chrysler Museum Theater

Steve Bennett is an artist to hear. His style is classic, but not classical. He's a national finger-picking and flat-picking champion. He also plays the rare Harp Guitar, a real treat indeed. Bennett's concert will be a recital, on stage. Unusual for him - very special for you.

Stephen's recordings on the Cimarron/Rainbird label have consistently received critical praise in the guitar press and elsewhere. Here are a few brief excerpts:

• 1990's Nutcracker Suite for Guitar Orchestra
• 1992's Solos & Duets
• 1994's Guitar Town
• 1996's Pictures

"Stephen Bennett is an exceptional guitarist", according to Bob Redford, the founder and head of the Walut Valley festival which hosts the National Flatpicking and Fingerpicking Champianships. "Only Stephen Bennett has been a crossover winner, taking the flatpicking championship in '87 and placing 3rd the the '85 fingerpicking championship".

Well, I can tell you that Stephen played three different guitars at this concert: his grand daddy's harp guitar, a National steel guitar and an acoustic guitar made for him by Jim Merrill of Gloucester, VA. The pieces he played were announced as he played them, and were either traditional, or authored by him or by his father. Unfortunately, there was no pre-planned program, nor was any one taking notes. However a good time was had by all, and we regard this as one of our more successful concerts.

Paco de Malága Flamenco Dance Troupe   February 7, 1998, Chrysler Museum Theater

Flamenco is what many think of when they think guitar - and Ana Martinez and Paco de Malaga are two of Spain's outstanding flamenco artists. With strong family traditions in the art, both have established individual artistic reputations as well as acclaim as a dance troupe.

Ana Martinez began dancing at the age of five, and at nine won first in an open competition in Paris, launching an international career. While on tour with her own company in Brazil, Ana met her husband, the great guitarist Paco de Malaga. Paco is from a long family tradition of flamenco performers, and studied in the home of Paco de Lucia.

Ana and Paco's company, now based in Washington, D.C, is one of the few authentic flamenco dance companies in the U.S. today. They bring a fiery passion and generations of history to their art. There was just one performance planned. If you missed it, you have our sympathy!

2nd Wind Dance Company with the
TCGS Guitar Orchestra   March 6 and 7, Virginia Beach Center for Contemporary Art

The Second Wind Dance Company and the TCGS Guitar Orchestra. This combination of two of Hampton Roads fine (if not well known) performing arts groups featured Beverly Cordova Duane and her contemporary dance troupe, and the dozen or so members of the TCGS Guitar Orchestra, in performance at Virginia Beach. It's an innovative pairing, and promised to be so good we planned two performances!

Here is a photo of this motley crew. Not Madison Avenue but we did the best we could. I will publish a better photo as soon as it exists.

David Russell   Mar 27, 1998, Williamsurg Regional Library Theater; Mar 28, 1998, Chrysler Museum Theater

Classical guitarist David Russell is world renowned for his superb \musicianship and inspired artistry, having earned the highest praise from audience members and critics alike. In recognition of his great talent, the Royal Academy of Music in London named him a Fellow in early 1997.

In the last two decades, Mr. Russell has won virtually every international competition, including the Aliconte Guiar Competion, the Andrés Segovia Competion and Spain's most prestigious, the Francisco Tárrega Competition. Composers Guido Santorsola, Jorge More, Francis Kleynjans and Carlo Domeniconi have dedicated works to him.

Concert goers everywhere are in awe of Mr. Russell's musical genius and inspired by his captivating stage presence and soft-spoken commentary about the works he performs and their composers. His love of his craft resonates through his flawless and seemingly effortless performance of even the most difficult pieces. The attention to detail and provocative lyrical phrasing suggest an innate understanding of what each individual composer was working to achieve. To put it in the words of one of our own concert goers, on the occasion of David's last appearance in Williamsburg, "That one concert was worth the price of the season ticket!" If you missed this one, you have my sympathy.

Milladoiro   May 1, 1998, Wells Theater

Spanish/Celtic fusion? Milladoiro, an eight-member ensemble from Northwestern Spain has taken the cultural history of Galicia and created music that can make you dream. We presented Milladoiro in conjunction with the Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival at the Wells Theater. The Galician group Milladoiro is celebrating its 20th anniversary this season.

The name "Milladoiro" is taken from the piles of stones which were thrown by the pilgrims who came for centuries to Santiago de Compostela. Over time, the enormous amount of little stones thrown by the passers by became real hills. Thus, the name of the group symbolizes the cultural exchange through which Galicia received and exported the elements that formed its cultural identity. And thus the music of the Celtic lands met the fiery sounds of Spain.

No pre-arranged program was available for this concert. They played - at will - music from their repertoire. It was all good, and names would not have helped as it was all unfamiliar. They have recorded many of the traditional pieces over the years. If you missed this concert, try ordering one of their CD's (see link above).

The TCGS Members' Concert   May 23, 1998, Williamsurg Regional LIbrary Theater

Well, as you know, we missed one concert (the Amadeus Duo) due to visa problems, so had one to make up. Further, our Guitar Orchestra had never played formally on this side of the water, and many Williamsburgers thought it was about time we should. As usual, it got more complicated than that.

The first half was devoted to solos, duets and a trio. Soloists: Tim Olbrych, Chris Basford and Steve Jolemore. I think John Boyles was also planning to solo, but at the eleventh hour (actually, about 7:30) he was noodling (a common ailment amongst guitarists) when Amy Farabee suddenly volunteered, "I know that piece". Even better, she knew the words to it! So that gave us a very successful voice and guitar duo. However, were it not for Marty Harpen in the audience, we might never have known the name of the piece. But that's another story.

Sam Dorsey and Laurie Baefsky provided a flute and guitar duo. A nicer blend could not have been found. The final trio consisted of Sam Dorsey, John Boyles and Tim Olbrych - all the long-time movers and shakers of the TCGS.

After the intermission, we blindsided the audience with 13 guitarists, all playing pretty much the same piece at the same time. It was something to hear. I think. Unfortunately, our recording engineer dropped the ball. The tape he gave back to me was just as pristinely clean as when I gave it to him. So we'll never know how good we sounded. In attendance were: