MUSIC & EVENTS

Clinics

Ara Dinkjian • John Hart • Vicki Genfan
• Kinloch Nelson • Paul Asbell

The Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase presents a selection of instructional clinics and workshops for musicians of all levels.

All Clinics will take place at The Alchemy Café (right next door to the Bearsville Theater).

Participants should bring their own instruments, capos, tuners, accessories, and any permitted recording devices. All Clinics will last one and a half hours.

Cost is $35 per Clinic, cash only please. Space is limited; advance reservations recommended.

To make a reservation, please send an email to info@woodstockinvitational.com, with the words “Clinic Reservation” in the Subject heading, and be sure to include the Clinic(s) you would like to attend, your name, email address and phone number in the Message.

Ara Dinkjian

Middle Eastern Oud Workshop

Level: Any - Cost: $35

Saturday, October 24, 10:00 – 11:30 AM

International recording artist, oud master and composer Ara Dinkjian will be present a clinic on the fundamentals of Middle Eastern music and the basics of the oud, the main instrument in Middle Eastern music.  He will discuss and demonstrate on the oud the Middle Eastern system of interlocking modes known as maquams, along with the microtones that characterize the music. As an introduction, this class is suitable for guitarists, and a limited number of ouds will be available for participants who do not have their own, generously loaned by Sharon Klein.

We will learn about the time signatures and instrumentation, different musical forms such as taqsim (improvisation) and samais, and how the oud has rapidly become a cross-over instrument used by many world musicians, blending East with West.  You will hear how easilly it can be used and integrated into Western music, creating new tones and colors for your musical tool box. 
 
ARA DINKJIAN is considered to be one of the top oud players in the world.  His compositions have been recorded in 13 different languages, which include the multi-platinum hit "Dinata" which was performed at the closing ceremonies at the 2004 Olympic games in Athens.  In 2002, Dinkjian was chosen to represent Armenia in the First International Meeting Of The Oud, where twelve of the world’s top oud players gathered in Thessaloniki, Greece for three days of solo concerts, master classes, and exchange of information.

His newest album and first solo CD, "An Armenian in America", comprising 12 tracks, was recorded live at the 2005 International Oud Festival in Jerusalem.

John Hart

Jazz Guitar Workshop

Level: Any - Cost: $35

Saturday, October 24, 12:00 – 1:30 PM

John Hart will present an interactive workshop covering the many aspects of contemporary jazz guitar. All levels are welcome and intermediate to advanced players are encouraged to bring their guitars and play a tune with John. Topics will include single line improvisation over chord changes, chordal improvisation, modal improvisation, and reharmonization. John emphasizes rhythm and phrasing as the key elements to bringing it all together and making you sound great! Theory, harmony, chord scales etc. will be discussed and handouts and lead sheets provided.  Other possible topics include chord melody harmonization, solo guitar playing, right and left hand techniques and articulations, using the pick, fingers or thumb for tonal variations and also discussion of guitar setup and amplification. Broader musical concepts include learning to be a great accompanist, adapting your sound to different ensembles and styles and becoming an astute listener. Improvisation and listening is the recurring theme throughout as we try to go beyond the notes and discover the secret to making great music!

A fixture on the New York music scene for the last 25 years, guitarist JOHN HART has distinguished himself both as a recording artist and bandleader and as a sideman whose credits span the spectrum of the many genres of jazz. From mainstream to free improvisation, blues to funk, John’s ease at negotiating the demands of any idiom is evidenced by a look at some of his musical associations. Known for his longtime tenure with Hammond B3 organ master Jack McDuff (a great judge of guitarists whose previous plectrists include George Benson, Pat Martino and Mark Whitfield), John has also worked with cutting edge and rising young stars such as Brian Blade, Larry Goldings, Chris Potter and Javon Jackson. John is a composer of merit with 7 CDs as a leader for prestigious labels Blue Note and Concord. Add this to the 100 some CDs he has appeared on as a sideman, performances at many of the major jazz festivals and clubs internationally, television appearances and radio shows, and it’s obvious to see why John Hart has become a familiar name with jazz fans worldwide.

John Hart was born on June 15, 1961 in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, grew up in Florida and began playing guitar when he was 12. While still in high school in his home town of Sarasota John was already gaining experience as a professional musician backing artists such as Steve Allen, Phyllis Diller, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Frankie Laine. His first forays into improvisation were playing locally with rock bands but John was bitten by the jazz bug when he was 16 after hearing Miles Davis’ recording of “Porgy and Bess”. John's interest in jazz flourished at the University of Miami, where he received a Bachelor's degree in music in 1983.

After graduating from college John toured internationally with Latin pop star Jose Luis Rodriguez before moving to New York City in the summer of 1984. Within a brief time he gained a strong reputation for his adaptability and distinctive sound. Since arriving in New York John has performed and/or recorded with Jack McDuff, Terumasa Hino, Jimmy Smith, Lou Donaldson,, James Moody, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jon Hendricks, Brian Blade, Javon Jackson,, Bob Belden, Chris Potter, Larry Goldings, The Maria Schneider Orchestra, Rick Margitza, Joey Defranscesco, Bob Berg, Randy Brecker, Harvie Swartz, Jaki Byard, Nick Brignola, Ira Sullivan, Mike Manieri, Jim Pepper, Bill Bruford, Bernard Purdie,  Clark Terry, David “Fathead” Newman, Hank Crawford, Nnenna Freelon. He has also appeared on a number of pop recordings, sound tracks for television including HBO’s Sex in City, numerous jingles and in the late 1980’s was a member of the house band at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. John is an endorser for D’Addario strings and has been on their artist’s roster for the past 15 years.

In 1990 John’s debut recording as a leader One Down was released by Blue Note records and was well received by critics and fans alike. This was followed up in 1992 by the trio recording Trust and precipitated the formation of the John Hart Quartet which featured the young saxophone wonder Chris Potter. This band was together for 7 years, frequently touring and eventually being documented on the Concord Jazz release Bridges in 1997. Since 2000 John has toured with the John Hart Trio and they just released in September 2006 their third CD for Hep records, Standards-Green and Blue, which features the trio with vibist Joe Locke as special guest.

Along with his busy schedule of performing, touring and recording John is quite active as a music educator and has been a clinician at many universities and music schools across the States. He also teaches in New York City and has been on the faculty of the acclaimed 92nd St. YM-YWHA for the past 16 years.

Vicki Genfan

Slap-Tap-Happy: Percussive Techniques for the Acoustic Guitar

Level: Any - Cost: $35

Saturday, October 24,  2:00 – 3:30 PM

In this workshop, we will explore “harmonic tapping” and open tunings. Using familiar songs and common chord progressions, we’ll jump into the world of slapping and tapping and you’ll leave with some new ideas about arranging and composing.

For a head start, take a look at www.vickigenfan.com and hit the ‘Guitar Talk’ link. Bring a tuner and a capo. All levels welcome!

Every now and then an artist comes along whose music reaches out and touches the soul of all who hear them – virtuoso guitarist, singer and composer VICKI GENFAN is among those artists. Drawing from folk, jazz, pop, soul and world music, Vicki is redefining ‘singer/songwriter culture.’ Vicki writes and beautifully sings her own brand of music and lyrics while putting her unmistakable imprint on familiar tunes like the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood.”

Last September, Vicki’s talent was recognized by industry icons when she was chosen as the 2008 Guitar Player Magazine’s ‘Guitar Superstar.’

Kinloch Nelson

Crossover Guitars, Crossover Music

Level: Any - Cost: $35

Sunday, October 25, 10:00 – 11:30 AM

CROSSOVER GUITARS, CROSSOVER MUSIC: The Emerging World And Potential Of Nylon Strings On Fingerstyle Guitars, And Steel Strings On Classical Guitars.

This presentation, part discussion, and part concert will take a look at how nylon string guitars might serve the fingerstyle players and steel string guitars might serve the classical players. 

Under consideration will be neck sizes, body styles, bracing, playing techniques, tone production and color, repertoire and stylistic influences, and a few classic recordings.  On hand will be a number of instruments: nylon string guitars with narrow necks and steel string guitars with wide necks...some inside  and some outside "the box."

KINLOCH NELSON'S  nearly 40-year career has run the gamut from club dates with jazz, country, rockabilly, rock, and rhythm & blues bands, to solo classical guitar and folk concerts in coffeehouses and folk festivals in the Northeast.

A composer and recording artist, Nelson can be heard on Heartland Records, BKNjr Records, Hodgepodge Music, Echotone Records, Riva Records, and Sampler Records.

Though mostly self taught, Nelson studied classical guitar privately in the 1970's with Stanley Watson in Rochester NY, jazz guitar with Gene Bertoncini at Eastman School of Music and music theory at the University of Rochester.

In 1973 Nelson began teaching both privately and at The Hochstein Music School in Rochester, NY where he was on the faculty for twenty-five years. Other teaching activities have included workshops at the University of Rochester, S.U.N.Y. at Oswego and summer residencies at Maryland Summer Center For The Arts.
In 1985 Nelson co-founded the Guitar Society of Rochester, Inc., which during its ten-year run presented many of the world's greatest guitarists. It also supported local artists through master classes and concerts, gave thousands of bedside serenades to hospital patients through the Guitar Outreach Program, and provided consultation to the Eastman School of Music in its formation of a guitar program. Some of the guitarists presented by the Society are: Alice Artzt, Joe Pass, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, David Russell, the Amsterdam Guitar Trio, Liona Boyd, Chet Atkins, John Abercrombie, Mike Stern, George Van Eps and Jason Vieaux.

Nelson has appeared in concert at The Wolftrap Center for the Performing Arts; Washington DC's Glen Echo Dance Theater; Maryland Center for the Arts in Baltimore; National Association of Music Manufacturers in Nashville & in Los Angeles; Art Park Buffalo, NY; Time/Warner Jazz Festival in Rochester, NY; Owen Sound Folk Festival; Akron Folk Festival; Golden Link's Turtle Hill Folk Festival; Fretted Instrument Guild of America; and appearances in Peru, Canada and Ireland.

Nelson was recently featured in solo performance on a PBS TV concert series which can be viewed on line at www.kinlochnelson.com

Paul Asbell

Fingerstyle Country Blues Workshop

Level: Any - Cost: $35

Sunday, October 25th, 2:00 – 3:30pm

Fingerstyle blues guitar, in the styles of Mississippi John Hurt, Lightnin' Hopkins, Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, Merle Travis, Dave van Ronk, and others.

Topics covered will include right hand fundamentals, such as alternate-bass technique, Delta-style drones, palm muting, and exercises to create effortless dexterity, syncopations and strong grooves. Left-hand issues range from basic chord concepts to sophisticated jazz and ragtime chord substitutions, moving bass lines, "guide tones", etc, w/ emphasis on creating your own licks, turnarounds and variations within the style.

All levels welcome, but many ideas will be geared to the evolved player. Tablature spoken here, but this will not be just a "lecture"- plenty of foot-stompin' music will be played, and participants are encouraged to bring an audio or video recorder to get the most out of the workshop!

PAUL ASBELL has performed and recorded with numerous legends of blues, jazz, and folk, including Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield, Howlin' Wolf, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, John Lee Hooker, David Bromberg, Jon Hendricks, Bobby McFerrin, Betty Carter, James Carter, Sonny Stitt, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Joshua Redman, Paul Siebel, Rosalie Sorrels, Mary McCaslin, former student Trey Anastasio, and countless others. He has taught guitar for over 35 years, at Dartmouth College, St. Michaels College, Skidmore College, and presently teaches at University of Vermont and Middlebury College. Paul’s acoustic CD’s have received glowing reviews from Guitar Player, Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Guitar, Sing Out! and Downbeat.