by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
What: The 15th Annual Great Guitar Gathering
Where: Florida Theatre (128 East Forsyth Street)
When: February 22, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Don Casper has moved his guitar showcase, The Great Guitar Gathering, to the Florida Theatre from its former home inside Douglas Anderson School of the Arts’ auditorium. The need for more space and to give the event the prestige it deserves prompted this change of venue.
For this momentous occasion, two of the world’s most famous and respected guitar virtuosos will be performing solo sets as well as Don Casper’s Guitar Orchestra. Legendary French guitarist, Pierre Bensusan and world-renowned classical guitarist, Benjamin Verdery will each play hour-long sets. These cats are major dudes for sure!
“We will do at least as well as we did at the DASOTA auditorium, we were having overflow crowds there. I’m excited by being able to stage the event in the palatial splendor of the Florida Theatre, which I believe it deserves. Also, it will give the event a chance to grow larger. In the past we have proudly presented the world’s greatest guitarists in their genres. And this year the students are inspired and excited by Pierre and Benjamin performing,” said Don Casper, the producer of the event when he spoke to EU.
Pierre Bensusan has explored many genres of performing guitar both live and on numerous recordings. He has single-handedly broken down musical barriers and developed an eclectic style that displays his advanced artistry and compositional skills. Pierre is a guitarist, singer, composer and an artist who continually explores the depth of imagination through his guitar.
“I’m looking forward to traveling to Jacksonville to perform,” said Pierre while speaking to me from France where he is putting the finishing touches on his home recording studio. “I’ve been writing new material for a future album. At the event, I will perform material from my last two albums. I will be bringing my steel string acoustic guitar that has a built-in pickup and I will also be using a mic. This rig gives me a great acoustic sound. And, as fans of my work know, I will be improvising on my material.”
I asked Pierre if he knew Benjamin Verdery.
“Yes, we know and respect each other. I haven’t seen him in years, but coincidently, we will be working together in the future as a duo.”
Indeed, Benjamin Verdery is considered one of the world’s greatest classical guitarists and composers – “An American Master,” according to Guitar Review Magazine. Ben had his professional debut in 1980 in New York City with his wife, flutist Rie Schmidt.
Since then, Ben has performed worldwide at many prestigious guitar festivals and concert halls. A prolific composer, many of Ben’s compositions have been performed and published. Most recently, Ben completed “Peace, Love, and Guitars” for John Williams and John Etheridge recorded at the Dublin Festival in July 2006. It was released by SONY in September 2006. John Williams also recorded and performed Ben’s work “Capitola” in 1996.
Over his career, Ben has released 15 albums, his most recent, Branches, features arrangements of works by Bach, Mozart, Strauss, Jimi Hendrix, and the traditional ‘Amazing Grace.’ His recording, Start Now, won the 2005 Classical Recording Foundation Award. Ben often collaborates with John Williams. Since 1985, Ben has been Chair of the Guitar Department at Yale University School of Music.
“I just completed an album with the Police’s Andy Sommers titled First You Build a Cloud. I also did some pieces for John Williams. I’ve really been busy writing and performing, which fulfills both my talents. In New York I finished a tribute to Julian Bream who is now 75. I wanted to honor his contribution to music,” said Benjamin Verdery when I spoke with him.
“I’m thrilled to be coming to Jax to perform in this event. In fact, I’ve written guitar music for guitar orchestras and I would like to talk to Don Casper about using my compositions. I’ve recently worked on some of Prince’s work as well, as a tribute to Benjamin Britain. One of my favorite guitarists is Leo Kottke and I will be playing a tribute to him as well as Jimi Hendrix. Although my main genre is classical guitar, I love to play tributes to other guitarists in other genres. I love the way Pierre plays and it’s possible we may play a duo at the Gathering,” Ben said
Anyone who plays guitar or likes guitar music will dig the Great Guitar Gathering. It’s a hip happening of the highest order.
Article Published in the 2-21-08 Issue of EU Jacksonville
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