Hamilton Guitar Association: February 2010

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Carter Lancaster February 8

Carter Lancaster will be our featured performer on Feb 8.

A versatile guitarist/performer/composer, Carter is one of those rare musicians whose expertise and virtuosity transcend issues of style. His unique musical vision has led him to master Jazz, Bluegrass and modern Acoustic guitar styles, in a manner that allows each style to complement the others without sacrificing any of their respective nuances. A performer with over 30 year’s experience, Carter can be seen working as a solo artist, with jazz and folk duos, trios, or quartets, and occasionally with orchestras.Probably known best for his fluid jazz electric chord-melody style and his standard and open tuning acoustic compositions, Carter’s ability to incorporate a variety of harmonic and 2-handed tapping techniques, while maintaining a strong melody line and percussive rhythm are sure to grab any listener’s attention. Over the past few years, Carter has been studying the harp guitar (a rare vintage instrument with 6 treble strings and 5 or 6 contra-basses). Here you can see Carter performing one of his original compositions “Widow Walk” at the Harp Guitar Gathering in Williamsburg Virginia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3zdCuSSMwc

Please visit him on-line at: www.carterlancaster.com

S.O.F.G.A.

Southern Ontario Fingerstyle Guitar Association

Some five years ago, I typed finger style guitar into a search engine because that was the type of playing I wanted to explore. Mostly because I was tired of replacing all my lost guitar picks. What I found was the SOFGA, a club dedicated to this guitar style and encourageing new people to learn by providing a non competative performance environment. They met right here in Hamilton, I knew that this was something I had to check out.

What I found was a community of people enjoying each other's music, company and friendship. And the amazing music! Cutting edge acoustic, celtic, old blues , entire bands seems to leap from guitars held by one person. No fake effects or back tape. Each meeting, one great player after the next would play. Then, one of them would take some time to show you thier style.

This is where I found my guitar teacher and mentors and some realley good friends. Though I was just a beginner, these people seemed to have a genuine desire to hear my music. This encouragement was pivital, at a time when the rest of the world just wanted me to forget the whole guitar thing .

Some five years later, when it comes to music, I still don't have it all together most of the time, but I've come a long way, mostly thanks to SOFGA.

Now , it's called the Hamilton Guitar Association but the goal and spirit are the same. That's why I'm happy to slug all the gear up the stairs at the Pheasent Plucker every other week, set up the mics and board, then, watch it all unfold.

Mark V