Fifth Concert in "First Friday Concert Series" on August 1, 2014 Featuring Jon Mendle and Matthew Fish at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Benicia
Benicia, CA, July 28, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Gordon Rowland, founder of the "First Fridays Concert Series", continues to be the organizing force behind this exciting series featuring classical guitar music. He has lined up many excellent soloists and ensembles to perform at the historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 120 East J Street in Benicia, California. This fifth concert in the series features Jon Mendle and Matthew Fish, which will happen on Friday, August 1st at 7 PM.
"Bringing high quality talent − many with ties to Benicia and the San Francisco Bay Area already − is important in showcasing local and semi-local talent," says Gordon, "as well as a venue that can draw on great masters passing through the area."
Since making his Carnegie Hall debut at age 19, classical guitarist Jon Mendle is rapidly building a career as a performer, teacher, arranger, and composer. He has since gone on tour with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, and released his first album of solo guitar music, entitled " L’Infidele" on In A Circle Records.
Jon began studying the guitar at the age of 12, received his Bachelor of Music in classical guitar performance in 2007, and recently finished his graduate studies at the San Francisco Conservatory under the tutelage of renowned guitarist Sergio Assad, earning a Master of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance.
Jon’s solo repertoire includes works from periods ranging from the Renaissance to the contemporary era, with an emphasis on lesser-known baroque lute works. He has contributed to his instrument’s repertoire by arranging works by composers such as Kapsberger, Zamboni, and Falckenhagen, who are virtually unknown outside of the lute world, as well as more familiar works by Bach, Weiss, Ravel, Debussy, and Hovhaness.
Hailed by Sergio Assad as "...an expressive guitarist with a great sense of rhythm and tone colors," Matthew Fish is known as both a skilled performer and enthusiastic teacher. He has participated in numerous competitions throughout the United States and earned top prizes, including First Prize at the 2012 Sierra Nevada Guitar Competition.
Well versed in both solo and chamber music, Matthew has experience playing with many different instrumentalists, singers, and ensembles. He has performed throughout California, playing at such venues as the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, the Davis Arts Center, CSU East Bay, CSU Chico, the San Francisco Scottish Rite Center, and the Firehouse Arts Center, where he played with the Pacific Masterworks Chorus. He was a featured artist in the Classical Guitar Project in Chico and earned himself a spot in the "Evening Showcase Concert" at the 2012 Guitar Foundation of America's Regional Symposium in San Francisco.
Matthew received his Bachelor’s of Music Degree from CSU, Chico where he studied with guitarist Tobin Roye. He later went on to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music to study with Latin Grammy award-winning guitarist/composer Sergio Assad. He received his Master’s of Music Degree from the Conservatory in 2012.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church offers the perfect venue for the intimacy of classical music. The redwood paneling offers a special warmth and acoustically helps the music resonate. The vaulted ceiling resembles an overturned boat, adding to the quaint atmosphere. Located off Main Street, there are plenty of excellent restaurants near to St. Paul's, so one may make a special night out first with fine food and then end the evening with fine music.
Tickets are available at the door. For questions about this or future concerts in the series, contact Gordon Rowland at 415-297-3542 or gordon@guitarwork.com. The website for the concert series is at http://www.guitarwork.com/2014/03/first-friday-concert-series-april-to.html.
Tickets are also available at Good Stuff Music Store, 511 Main Street, Martinez, CA and St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 120 East J Street, Benicia (Tuesday through Friday, 9 AM-3 PM).
Some comments regarding past and current artists:
"Jon Mendle is a superb musician who plays with a blissful touch" ~Sergio Assad
"[Matthew] has the enviable ability to absorb music at an incredibly fast rate and his playing is clear, balanced and uplifting." ~Marc Teicholz
“There's assurance and invention in [Chris Yeaton's] strumming; he's learned well and carries the tradition with dignity. Yeaton's got a Hawaiian soul and is one to watch. In time, he should be right up there with his mentors." ~Wayne Harada, Honolulu Advertiser
"What a wonderful evening. Both Daniel and Francesca were a hit with everyone. Some of the comments received were: 'The evening went too fast. I was mesmerized by the music,' 'This is what we moved here for.' The music along with the education was brilliant."
"Motoshi [Kosako] must Not be missed! And Teddy [Randazzo] is a magical genius! Don't let these guys get by you."