Sat, January 30th - Gabriel Bianco - France - Holsclaw Hall, University of Arizona - 7:00 pm

Gabriel Bianco has performed concerts regularly for the last five years. He has earned first prize in multiple international competitions in Austria (Vienna), Germany (Koblenz), France (Ile de Ré and Barbezieux ), Poland (Tychy) and Portugal (Sernancelhe). His most recent win at the 2008 Guitar Foundation of America Competition has earned him the coveted 50-concert tour in the United States, Mexico, and Canada with additional concerts in China and Brazil.

Gabriel Bianco is certainly no stranger to the spotlight. He has already performed in over 30 music festivals across the world in France, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Portugal, Slovakia, Thaïland. At the age of 12, he performed for French television (Mezzo), and later appeared on Romanian television (TVR Cultura).

Born into a family of musicians, Gabriel received an early start on the guitar when he began lessons with his father at age 5. A few years later, he began his studies in Paris with Ramon de Herrera at the Conservatoire National de Région, Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris and later at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris where he received the highest performance distinction under the teaching of Olivier Chassain. Since 2005 Gabriel has studied with French virtuoso Judicael Perroy.

Bianco's first major recording will be released 2009 by the Naxos label. He plays on Savarez Strings.

http://gabrielbianco.online.fr

Sun March 7th - David Russell - Scotland - Holsclaw Hall, University of Arizona - 2:30 pm

GRAMMY award winner in 2005 for his CD AIRE LATINO, in the category of best instrumental soloist in classical music.

Classical guitarist David Russell is world renowned for his superb musicianship and inspired artistry, having earned the highest praise from audiences and critics alike. In recognition of his great talent and his international career, he was named a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music in London in 1997.

In May 2003 he was bestowed the great honor of being made "adopted son" of Es Migjorn, the town in Minorca where he grew up. Later the town named a street after him, "Avinguda David Russell".

In November 2003 he was given the Medal of Honor of the Conservatory of the Balearics.

After winning the grammy award, the town of Nigrán in Spain where he resides, gave him the silver medal of the town in an emotional ceremony.

In May 2005 he received a homage from the music conservatory of Vigo, culminating with the opening of the new Auditorium, to which they gave the name "Auditorio David Russell".

Since 1995 David Russell has an exclusive recording contract with Telarc International, with whom he has recorded twelve CDs up to now, among them Aire Latino, which received a grammy in 2005.

The New York Times wrote about his performance: "... Mr. Russell made his mastery evident without ever deviating from an approach that places musical values above mere display. It was apparent to the audience throughout the recital that Mr. Russell possesses a talent of extraordinary dimension".

Upon hearing play in London, Andrés Segovia wrote: "My congratulations on your musicality and guitaristic technique".

http://www.davidrussellguitar.com

Sun, March 21st - Solo Duo - Italy - Holsclaw Hall, University of Arizona - 2:30 pm

Matteo Mela and Lorenzo Micheli first met in 2000. Since then, they have shared a number of ideas, musical projects, and travels all over the world. In 2003 they formed a duo that has already performed throughout Europe, Asia and North America, and has been acclaimed everywhere - from New York's Carnegie Hall to Vienna's Konzerthaus - as one of the best ensembles ever heard. About one of their performances, The Washington Post wrote: "Extraordinarily sensitive, with effortless command and an almost unbearable delicacy of touch, the duo's playing was nothing less than rapturous - profound and unforgettable musicianship of the highest order."

In addition to classic, romantic and modern repertoire, Matteo and Lorenzo - joined by lutenist Massimo Lonardi - enjoy exploring the early literature for baroque guitar and theorbo. Together, Matteo and Lorenzo have recorded François de Fossa's Three Quartets, op. 19 (Stradivarius), a CD of 17th century Italian music for baroque guitar, archlute and theorbo (La Suave Melodia, Stradivarius), Solaria, an anthology of 20th century masterpieces for two guitars (Pomegranate), the Duos Concertants by Antoine De Lhoyer (Naxos), a collection of chamber works by Mauro Giuliani (Amadeus), and a collection of 19th century pieces for two guitars (Noesis, Pomegranate), as well as a dozen solo recordings on the labels Naxos, Brilliant Records, Kookaburra, Mel Bay, and Stradivarius.

Matteo Mel a e Lorenzo Micheli si sono incontrati nell'autunno del 2000: da allora hanno condiviso innumerevoli idee, progetti musicali, viaggi. Nel 2003 hanno formato un duo che ha già percorso centinaia di migliaia di chilometri attraverso l'Europa e l'America, e che è stato accolto ovunque - dalla

http://www.soloduo.it

Saturday, April 24th - Peppino D'Agostino - Italy - Tohono Chul - 7 Pm

Peppino D'Agostino is a Renaissance man. This is not just because he was born in Italy. Everything about the longtime California resident and his art -- virtuoso acoustic guitarist, composer, singer, teacher and all-around entertainer -- is rooted in his heritage. It's fitting then that his new CD is titled Made in Italy. It's his first CD release since 2005's Bayshore Road, a collaboration with longtime friend, electric guitarist Stef Burns.

D'Agostino has had a long and distinguished career filled with highlights. His most recent accolade came from Guitar Player magazine when he was voted BEST ACOUSTIC GUITARIST by its readers in the Reader's Choice Awards in May 2007.

Made in Italy continues D'Agostino's 2007 hot streak. It's been in the making for two years, and it's a CD that's very close to his heart, especially because half of its 16 songs feature his singing. D'Agostino has included a vocal song on his CDs in the past, but Made in Italy truly opens the door to a future of singing as one more color on his musical palette.

"All the different parts of me are out there -- the singer, the composer, the guitarist, all together. I'm all of those. I really believe in that because I like to entertain an audience. I usually talk and try to make them laugh. Sometimes I tell jokes. The audience wants an experience where they feel connected to the performer and moved by the music. Otherwise people would just buy the CD and listen to it at home. I'm a medium -- a filter between the music and the audience," said D'Agostino.

D'Agostino's personal and artistic journeys have certainly been out of the ordinary. He first discovered the acoustic guitar when he was 10 years old and heard his older cousin play in church. His cousin gave him a few lessons, but soon he began teaching himself. Through his teen-age years and into his 20s, he studied all kinds of Irish, Brazilian, folk and classical music. He also absorbed pop and rock music of the 1970s, including the work of progressive rockers like Genesis, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Gentle Giant and Mike Oldfield. At age 23, while serving in the Italian army, he actually went AWOL one night to catch a concert by some acoustic guitarists.

D'Agostino has taught at guitar clinics the world over, and his instructional releases include 1984's country and bluegrass songbook 'Metodo Per Chitarra Flatpicking Country e Bluegrass' for Italian publisher Berben, 1997's 'New Acoustic Guitar' for Warner Bros. Publications and 1998's teaching video 'The Guitar of Peppino D'Agostino' from Homespun Tapes, to name just a few. Also, his song "Bella Donna" was included in the 1999 songbook-and-CD package 'Fingerstyle Guitar Masterpieces' published by Acoustic Guitar magazine.

D'Agostino's creativity is not only confined to composing and performing music. In 2002, in association with guitar maker and instruments innovator Robert Godin, D'Agostino developed his Seagull signature guitar model, which employs the new compound-curve design. This instrument features a slightly wider fingerboard, and it's perfectly designed to suit his explosive rhythms and almost constant change of tunings. Furthermore, he developed a guitar accessories pouch called the D'Agostino Tool Bag with the renowned Jim Dunlop Manufacturing.

www.peppinodagostino.com