Guitars Without Borders

These three internationally recognized guitarists/composers will offer a program of their original guitar solos, duos, and trios. They will be performing at Mendocino College, Center Theater on Sunday, November 11 at 5 pm.

A member of the ground-breaking Los Angeles Guitar Quartet for 16 years, Guitar Player Magazine says “Andrew York’s eclectic writing and playing constitute one of the hippest styles in American classical guitar.” Acquiring a keen interest in folk music and jazz from his musician parents as a youth in his native Virginia, Andrew eventually relocated to Los Angeles and received his Master’s in guitar composition and performance at the University of Southern California. He has since performed in over 30 countries and recorded several solo recordings as well as with the LAGQ. His compositions have been recorded and performed by some of the biggest names in classical guitar including Christopher Parkening, John Williams, and Sharon Isbin. His latest recording, Equations of Beauty, was released earlier this year to great acclaim. He has won Grammy awards for his work with both the LAGQ as well as for his performance of Osvaldo Golijov’s opera Ainadamar recorded with the Atlanta Symphony.

Formerly a student of both Chet Atkins and Christopher Parkening, Muriel Anderson has received commissions from the Nashville Chamber Orchestra and had her music placed in the Woody Allen film Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The Chicago Tribune says “…she has justifiably gained a reputation as one of the world’s best, and most versatile, guitar instrumentalists” and the late guitar legend Les Paul has called her “[J]ust one hell of a great player.” A Midwest native, she received a music degree from DePaul University in Chicago and has since relocated to Nashville where she became known for hosting the All-Star Guitar Night. She has toured extensively throughout the world and released over a dozen instrumental CDs as well as numerous instructional videos and books with publishers Mel Bay, Hal Leonard, and Zen-on Japan. Her most recent recording, Nightlight Daylight, has received 11 awards including a Global Music Award Best Instrumental for her composition Baker’s Dozen.

Mendocino County’s own Alex de Grassi has been called a “national treasure” by New York Guitar Festival founder David Spellman and The Los Angeles Times has called him “…an acoustic guitarist of virtuosic strength and ability.” Born in Japan, and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Alex began playing folk and blues as a teenager, and continued studying music while pursuing a BA in economic geography at UC Berkeley before launching his 40 years long career recording and performing his solo guitar compositions. Alex’s early Windham Hill recordings Turning: Turning Back and Slow Circle are often cited as landmarks that have influenced a generation of younger players, and his 1998 recording The Water Garden received a Grammy nomination. His compositions have been widely published and he has received film scoring commissions from the New York Guitar Festival and a commission from String Letter Publishing. Alex shares with Ms. Anderson the distinction of having their CDs accompany astronauts into zero gravity on the space shuttle Discovery.

In addition to performing their own solo guitar compositions, the trio will be performing original works and arrangements for two and three guitars. As a duo Alex and Andrew will likely be performing Andrew’s tongue-in-cheek composition DissFunkShun, as well as Alex’s tribute to space travel, Zero Gravity. And along with other surprises, expect to hear a three-guitar arrangement of Mick Jagger’s classic Paint it Black. Muriel Anderson will also delight audiences with her unique compositions for harp guitar, a guitar with additional bass strings. Come prepared for a evening of rich and diverse guitar music presented by three of the most recognized guitarists performing today.

Ukiah Community Concert Association has been presenting nationally acclaimed talent since 1947. This all-volunteer nonprofit’s mission is to build and maintain a permanent concert audience and cultivate an interest in fine music among the citizens of the community and surrounding area. It is also their goal to encourage music appreciation in the schools of the community.

Advance tickets are available at Mendocino Book Company in Ukiah, Mazahar in Willits, and online. Single tickets for this concert are $30 in advance and $35 at the door (adult) and $10 in advance and $15 at the door (youth under 18). Free tickets available at the door to Mendocino College students with ID, space providing. Please come and enjoy Schat’s Cookies, Black Oak Coffee and Rivino Wine as well as amazing music! For more information call 707-463-2738, or visit us on Facebook and our website at www.ukiahconcerts.org.