"First Friday Concert Series" on September 5, 2014 With Gordon Rowland, Mark Taylor and Doug Wendt in Benicia

Benicia, CA, August 20, 2014 (Newswire.com) - The founder of the "First Fridays Concert Series", Gordon Rowland, brings this summer series to a close at the historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Benicia, California.  This sixth concert will feature guitarists Gordon Rowland, Mark Taylor and Doug Wendt on Friday, September 5th at 7 PM.

Gordon Rowland is known for his flowing performances of classical and flamenco guitar music, and is in demand as a concert guitarist.  Author, composer/transcriptionist, and a professor of guitar performance, he offers private lessons for the classical guitar aficionado.

Gordon completed his undergraduate music studies at The University of Idaho in 1970 continuing at Boise State University and concluding in 1974.  He continued his studies with Michael Lorrimer at U.C. Berkley, and with Christopher Parkening.  Traveling to Madrid, Spain, he studied flamenco there with Luis Maravilla.  Gordon's teaching experience includes Band and Choir director for the Meadows Valley High School in New Meadows, Idaho.  He also was a member of the faculty staff of the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho, and Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon.  He has taught workshops throughout the Northwest including the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho and Oregon State University in Eugene, Oregon.  Gordon has written a method book for beginners and a philosophy of music theory as applied to the guitar.

Classical and flamenco guitarist Mark Taylor is an international recording artist, performer and teacher.  His combined experience in classical and flamenco music makes him a strong and dynamic interpreter of the classical repertoire with an approach to flamenco that is rhythmically vibrant, passionate and true to the essence of the many styles he performs.

Mark began his study of classical guitar in 1980 at the Santa Rosa Junior College earning a music degree and was awarded the first Julia Harp Scholarship for music performance at Sonoma State University. He received private instruction with Kirby Wilkerson, and Phillip Roshegar, and master classes with Vladimir Mikulka, and Deborah Marrioti.  He has performed in many renaissance and baroque chamber ensembles, yet it was his love of Spanish music that inspired him to travel to Spain.  Mark was already a professional classical guitarist when he first began traveling to Spain in 1987. He returned to Spain frequently over a period of 15 years, learning the art of solo guitar as well as accompaniment of song and dance styles. He studied flamenco guitar in Granada, Sevilla, Jerez de la Frontera and Madrid with such great artists and teachers as Mario Escudero, Carlos Heredia (Seville), “El Carbonero” (Jerez), Roman Martín, and at the famous Amor de Dios dance studio (Madrid). He returned to the United States to form the Aire Flamenco Dance Company and The Mark Taylor Flamenco Quartet. He has performed as a soloist in Spain and the United States and appears regularly as featured artist with the Sol Flamenco Dance Company and The San Francisco Bay area’s Potaje ensemble, directed by Chus Alonso. He has also collaborated with Francisco Gaona’s stage productions of Romanceros Gitanos, Cante Jondo and Cantares by Federico García Lorca.

Doug Wendt has been performing and teaching in the Bay Area for over 25 years.  He is an experienced classical guitarist and instructor, who performs regularly at exclusive restaurants, weddings and private parties.  As a classical guitarist, he has worked and performed extensively with Gordon Rowland.  Doug earned his  B.A. in Guitar Performance at California State University of the East Bay (CSUEB) and performs regularly in Martinez and elsewhere in the Bay Area.

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:

"An over the top performance! The audience was mesmerized; everyone who came went away with a new appreciation of flamenco."  ~Leslie Hall, director The Healdsburg Guitar Festival

 "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."