In a fitting homage to the world’s most popular instrument, the 2012 Adelaide International Guitar Festival will run over four consecutive jam-packed days from 9 to 12 August, boasting 88 musicians – some of the world’s leading guitarists – across 42 events. As the nation’s largest international guitar festival, this premier Adelaide music event showcases 18 international artists from the United States of America, Croatia, Bosnia, Brazil and Korea, plus 70 of the best Australian musicians.
Heading up his second Adelaide International Guitar Festival, Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan reveals, “There are very exciting players coming to Adelaide from across a broad spectrum of music, including classical, flamenco, roots, jazz, blues, rock, funk and contemporary song writing. It’s a chance to see some truly pioneering musicians and rare collaborations that won’t be repeated beyond this Festival.
Adelaide Festival Centre will house the entire event, offering a smorgasbord of ticketed shows across its various venues as well as free and low cost workshops, master classes, artist talks and panel discussions. In a Festival first, the inaugural Meet the Maker series of free events features 13 guitar makers from across Australia and the unique opportunity for guitar enthusiasts to explore the craft of luthiery, being privy to demonstrations involving latest works, various tools, techniques and trade secrets.
In an extraordinary prelude performance to the Festival, two-time Grammy Nominee guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel will perform a one-night only show at the Festival Theatre on Saturday 5 August. Tommy will be joined on stage by special guest Frank Vignola. Marking the opening night of this cultural event on Thursday 9 August, in a colossal performance set to ignite the Festival Theatre stage, is the John Scofield Trio. From funk and fusion to swinging jazz standards, rock-fuelled jams, lush orchestral collaborations and gritty blues, Scofield effortlessly masters each style with his potent distinctive six-string voice complemented by improvised musical banter with his band Ben Street (bass) and Bill Stewart (drums).
Check out www.adelaideguitarfestival.com.au for more info.
