Monthly Meeting Recap and News for November 2024
Greetings guitar fans,
Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of our last meeting and upcoming guitar-related events, including Dan Fellman and Grant Ruiz’s CD release party and concert on Friday, November 22.
The Monthly Meeting
There were over 40 people in attendance last Thursday sharing an intimate evening of guitar.
PROGRAM
Don and Pamela DeHart – Fire and Rain (James Taylor), Blackbird (Beatles), Here Comes the Sun (Beatles)
John Swinnerton – Introspection (original), Jesu Joy of Mans Desiring (J.S. Bach, arranged by John)
Francesco Bard – Flow my Tears (John Dowland), Sideways (original)
Brian Parris – The End of the Innocence (Bruce Hornsby), Marie (Randy Neuman), Before the Next Teardrop Falls (Baldemar Juerta)
~ Intermission ~
Mark Turnbull – I Need A Miracle, Now Is The Hour, Stay Close to the River (originals)
Grant Ruiz – Autumn Leaves (Kosma/Mercer, arranged by Grant)
Dan Fellman and Grant Ruiz – The Seeker (Dan), Corcovado (A.C. Jobim)
Outreach Corner
Irish virtuoso guitarist Alan Mearns visited several guitar classes taught by Mark Hampton at South Medford High School, courtesy of the GSSO and Britt Arts and Music Festival. The visits were on Wednesday and Thursday, November 6 and 7. Alan borrowed a vintage Fender Stratocaster from GSSO Board member Peter Jespersen and showed off his flashy rock “chops.” Aside from being a world-class classical guitarist, Alan is also an extraordinary singer/songwriter and rock musician.
Then of course Alan went on to perform a stunning classical guitar concert at the SOU Recital Hall on November 8. If you’d like to hear more music from this multi-talented musician, please check out his YouTube channel: youtube.com/@AlanMearns-YesTheRaven. His music is also available on Spotify and other online music streaming services.
Announcements
Dan Fellman and Grant Ruiz are excited to announce the release of their first album:
Canto Sol (Sun Song) with over a dozen original songs we’ve played for years!
To celebrate, they are having a CD release party and concert on Friday, November 22 at 6pm at Paschal Winery in Talent. Admission, which includes a CD, is $20 per person or $30 per couple. We will meet and socialize with food and drink for the first hour, and then Dan and Grant will perform pieces from the album along with other favorites. As an added bonus, the artwork of Grant’s wife, Mary La, will be on exhibit at Paschal as well. There are only a few seats left, so please email Grant ASAP to reserve your spot. Please remember to say how many people will be in your party.
Membership news
For the first time in a long time, we are embarking on a fundraising campaign to support our expanding mission! Please look out for a special email about this by the end of the week. Since the GSSO is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, all donations are tax deductible.
We will have an upcoming vote to change the guitar society bylaws at the December monthly meeting. All paid members will receive a additional email describing the proposed changes so they can be prepared to vote at the meeting.
We’ll also have elections for the Board of Directors at the December meeting. If you’re interested in serving on the Board to help determine the future of the guitar society, please reply to this message or contact a Board member. FYI, Peter Jespersen is the only incumbent Board member up for re-election. Jennifer Babineaux, Kristi Schoenbachler, and Grant Ruiz are in the middle of their 2-year terms.
Guitars for sale
Former guitar society Board member Bruce Smith is selling his 1963 Manuel Velazquez “El Clasico” guitar. The guitar is 650mm scale with Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a cedar neck, and a spruce soundboard. The sound is deep and rich. The asking price is $2,000. Please contact Bruce Smith at brucedouglasmith@gmail.com or (541) 261-6240.
Monthly Meeting Recap and News for October 2024
| Greetings guitar fans, Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of our last meeting and upcoming guitar events coming up in the coming months, including the Alan Mearns concert on November 8. |
The Monthly Meeting
There were around 50 people in attendance Thursday sharing a beautiful evening of guitar and authentic tango music.
PROGRAM
John Swinnerton – Nostalgia (original)
Rick McGrath (pictured) – Big Country (Bella Fleck), A Watermelon (Leo Kotke)
Mark Turnbull – I Remember John Lennon, Suddenly (originals)
Brian Parris – Travelers (Tim O’Brian and Alessandro Massa), Angel (Jimmy Hendrix)
Francesco Bard (pictured) – Can She Excuse My Wrongs (John Dowland), Wilt Thou Unkind Thus Reave (John Dowland), Inwards & Sideways Overture (original)
Randall Walker – Empty Chairs (Don McClean)
Grant Ruiz – Soleares modernos (Flamenco), Luna de Plata (El Parrita)
~ Intermission ~
Lautaro Tissera Favaloro, – Our featured artist, Argentine guitarist Lautaro Tissera Favaloro, played a set of traditional and contemporary tango music, including Primavera Porteño by Astor Piazzolla, Volver by Carlos Gardel, his own compositions, and a duo version of Milongueo del Ayer by Abel Fleury with Grant.
Outreach Corner
Lautaro Tissera made several visits to our community on behalf of the guitar society. The first was the morning of Wednesday, October 9 at Grants Pass High School for Arturo Ville’s guitar class, while a Spanish language class also sat in. That afternoon he played at the Ashland Senior Center (pictured).
The next day, before playing for the guitar society meeting, he played for the OLLI course “Guitar Styles Throughout the World” organized by Grant. Dan Fellman and Dayton Mason gave a presentation on September 26 about Gypsy jazz, and Grant presented Flamenco on October 3. Matt Dorris presented Classical guitar at the last OLLI class of the course on October 17.
Guitarist Alan Mearns will play a concert for GSSO on Friday, November 8 (see details below). During the days before, he will also be playing at outreach events that are co-sponsored by the guitar society and Britt Education.
Announcements
The guitar society will present the extraordinary classical guitarist Alan Mearns at the SOU Recital Hall in Ashland on Friday, November 8 at 7pm. René Izquierdo, who played for us last November, says of Alan’s playing, “If you think you have heard Bach on the guitar, think again!” Some of you may be familiar with Rick Beato, who has a very popular YouTube music channel. He hailed Alan as a musical genius. For more information, tickets, and a special greeting from Alan, go to our Home Page, guitarsocietyso.org. When you click on the link to get tickets, it will take you to Evenbrite, where you’ll see more videos of Alan’s guitar skills. Please tell your friends. Alan’s playing is jaw dropping!
Grant Ruiz and Dan Fellman will play on First Friday, November 1 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Shepherd’s Dream in downtown Ashland. They have completed a new CD entitled “Canto Sol” which should be available by then. Come on down and get your copy!
The guitar society has a new Resource page on the website! There you will find information on guitar performers, teachers, and luthiers/repair technicians. If you or someone you know would like to be listed on it, please visit the Resource page and hit the “Request to be listed” button. You’ll be prompted to become a GSSO member in case you already aren’t.
Membership news
As a heads-up, we will have an upcoming vote on the guitar society bylaws at the December monthly meeting. Please be on the lookout for a special e-mail arriving in November describing the proposed changes so you can be prepared to vote. All attending, paid members will be eligible to participate in the vote.
We’ll also have elections for the Board of Directors at the December meeting. If you’re interested in serving on the Board to help determine the future of the guitar society, please reply to this message. FYI, guitar society members are always welcome to attend our monthly Board meetings to get an idea of what we’re working on and planning
Guitars for sale
Former guitar society Board member Bruce Smith is selling his 1963 Manuel Velazquez “El Clasico” guitar. The guitar is 650mm scale with Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a cedar neck, and a spruce soundboard. The sound is deep and rich. The asking price is $2,000. Please contact Bruce Smith at brucedouglasmith@gmail.com or (541) 261-6240.
Monthly Meeting Recap and News for September 2024
Greetings guitar fans,
Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of our last meeting and upcoming guitar events coming up in the coming months.
The Monthly Meeting
There were over 35 people in attendance last Thursday. The line-up of performers was small but mighty!
PROGRAM
John Swinnerton – The Road Home with Prelude (original)
Arturo Ville – Eu sei que veu te amar, Desafinado (A. Carlos Jobim), City Lights (Arturo Ville), Asturias (Isaac Albeniz)
Francesco Bard – Lessons of a Sage, Piscian Revelations – Originals
~ Intermission ~
Brian Parris – I’m Not Over You (Carl Jackson), Long Long Time (Gary White)
Mark Turnbull – In the Wind, Relax, The Destiny of Our Deeds (originals)
Matt Dorris – Vals Opus 8, Number 4 (Augustin Barrios), Little Café Suite (Dušan Bogdanović), Suite del Recuerdo (José Luis Merlin)
Outreach Corner
GSSO members Dan Fellman, Grant Ruiz, and Matt Dorris are presenting a class OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) called “Guitar Styles Throughout the World.” Each week we will present a different genre. Classes will be held both in-person and online on Thursdays from 3:30pm to 5:00pm from September 26 to October 17. On October 10, guest performer Lautaro Tissera Favaloro from Argentina will present tango guitar. He will also be our featured artist at the guitar society monthly meeting later that day! You can get more information at olli.sou.edu.
| Announcements Grant Ruiz and Terry Longshore (Dúo Flamenco) will perform at the OSF Green Show on Saturday, September 28 at 6:45pm with special guest, bassist Todd Ragland. They will present a program of pan-Latin music and flamenco. Jimmy Grant, who played at the August meeting, is putting on a music event called “Camp Django” for people to learn the art of Gypsy jazz. The camp takes place October 3-6 in Ashland. You can get more information and register at learngypsyjazz.com/camp-django. Jimmy will be in concert with fellow Gypsy jazz guitarist Sam Farthing and special guests at the Havurah Synagogue in Ashland on Saturday, October 5 at 7:30pm. You can get more information and tickets here. Renowned classical guitarist Ana Vidovic, who has appeared in the Rogue Valley twice, played a lovely guitar concert for the Austin Classical Guitar Society at their intimate venue, The Rosette. You can watch the concert footage here. The guitar society has a new Resource page on the website! There you will find information on guitar performers, teachers, and luthiers/repair technicians. We hope to continue growing the page, so if you or someone you know would like to be listed on it, please visit the Resource page and hit the “Request to be listed” button. (You’ll be prompted to become a GSSO member in case you already aren’t.) As a performer, the guitar society will also help announce your upcoming gigs. Speaking of which, please consider becoming a member of the guitar society! Annual dues are $25 for individuals and $40 for a family membership (2 or more people) and help pay for logistical costs. They are good for the calendar year, January through December. As an early reminder, Board elections are coming up in December. If you’re interested in serving on the Board to help determine the future of the guitar society, please reply to this message. FYI, guitar society members are always welcome to attend our monthly Board meetings to get an idea of what we’re working on and planning. |
| Guitars for sale Former guitar society Board member Bruce Smith is selling his 1963 Manuel Velazquez “El Clasico” guitar. The guitar is 650mm scale with Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a cedar neck, and a spruce soundboard. The sound is deep and rich. The asking price is $2,000. Please contact Bruce Smith at brucedouglasmith@gmail.com or (541) 261-6240. Long-time Ashlander and sound technician Tom Frederick is selling a DiGiorgio classical spruce top guitar made in Brazil with a hardshell case, all for $425. You can get more information here. |
Monthly Meeting Recap and News for August 2024
Greetings guitar fans,
Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of our last meeting and upcoming guitar events coming up in the next month.
The Monthly Meeting
There were over 35 people in attendance last Thursday, along with some new performers. Welcome Don and Pamela, Jimmy, and Paul!
PROGRAM
Don and Pamela DeHart – Country Roads (John Denver), I’ve Just Seen a Face (Paul McCartney), Let it Be (Paul McCartney)
John Swinnerton – Starry Nights (original)
Jimmy Grant – Untitled (various Roma musicians)
Paul Gehlhar – Untitled (original), Untitled (original)
Steve Bismark – Açai (Djavan)
~ Intermission ~
Art Baden – Leader of the Band (Dan Fogelberg), This Masquerade (Leon Russell), New York State of Mind (Billy Joel)
Brian Parris – Before the Next Teardrop Falls (Baldemar Huerta), Wasted Days and Wasted Nights (Baldemar Huerta)
Mark Turnbull – Baggage, The Past Keeps Pickin’ On Me, Now! (originals)
Outreach Corner
On Saturday, July 20, 2024 Grant Ruiz played classical and flamenco guitar for 25 people at the Jacksonville Library on behalf of the GSSO. The audience and staff were very enthusiastic and would love to have us back.
Announcements
Jimmy Grant, who played at this month’s meeting, is putting on a music event called “Camp Django” for people to experience and learn the art of Gypsy jazz, specifically the music of guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli. The camp takes place October 3-6 in Ashland. You can get more information and register at learngypsyjazz.com/camp-django. This is a rare opportunity to learn about this fantastic music. Tell your guitar and violin loving friends!
Grant Ruiz and Dan Fellman will play at Bloomsbury Blends in Ashland on Saturday, August 24 from 6 to 8pm (hopefully in their beautiful outdoor patio) and at Belle Fiore Winery on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Please consider becoming a member of the guitar society! Annual dues are $25 for individuals and $40 for a family membership (2 or more people) and help pay for logistical costs. They are good for the calendar year, January through December. Performers, teachers, luthiers, and repair people will have the added benefit of being included in the upcoming Resource page of our website, plus the Society will help announce performers upcoming gigs. The Board of Directors continues to discuss more upcoming benefits for members.
As an early reminder, Board elections are coming up in December. If you’re interested in serving on the Board to help determine the future of the guitar society, please reply to this message. FYI, guitar society members are always welcome to attend our monthly Board meetings to get an idea of what we’re working on and planning.
Guitar for sale
Former guitar society Board member Bruce Smith is selling his 1963 Manuel Velazquez “El Clasico” guitar. Velazquez, a very highly regarded luthier based in New York City at the time, made the soundboard and had his helpers make the rest of the instrument under his supervision. This is a 650mm scale guitar with Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a cedar neck, and a spruce soundboard. The finish needs a lot of work, but the guitar is easy to play, and the sound is deep and rich. The asking price is $2,000. Please contact Bruce Smith at brucedouglasmith@gmail.com or (541) 261-6240.
Monthly Meeting Recap and News for July 2024
Greetings guitar fans,
Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of our last meeting and upcoming guitar events coming this month! There’s also a special report on Grant’s visit to the Guitar Foundation of America conference this year.
The Monthly Meeting
There was a hot time in the ol’ town on Thursday night! The packed tasting room was warm and full of good music.
PROGRAM
Trillium (Francie Buckley, Judy Trautman, Kristi Schoenbachler) + 1 (Grant Ruz) – Dacw ‘Nghariad (trad. Welsh), Passacaglia by Lou Warde
Matt Bock – La Vals Espanole by Jose Ferrer, La Folia Variations by R. de Vidali (arr. Frank Longay)
Bob Bath – Europa by Carlos Santana
John Swinnerton – Introspection (original)
Mystic Bard (Francesco Bard, Heather Hutton) – Escape from the 12th House, Piscean Revelation (originals)
Brian Parris – Someone I Used to Know by Jack Clement, Long Long Time by Gary White
Mark Turnbull – Dogs, This Mortal Coil (originals)
Matt Dorris – Milonga by Jorge Cardoso
~ Intermission ~
Cameron O’Connor from Corvallis then took the stage and played a wonderful set, receiving a standing ovation and playing an encore for us.
All in Twilight (1st mvt) by Tori Takemitsu
Theme, Variations, and Finale by Manuel Ponce
Farewell by John Dowland
Land of Enchantment by Michael Chapdelaine
Toodle-oo, Winter Waltz by Cameron
Granada by Isaac Albéniz (arr. Segovia/O’Connor)
Homenaje by Manuel de Falla
Cádiz by Albéniz (arr. Bream/O’Connor)
Outreach Corner
Grant Ruiz will play a set of Flamenco and Latin American music at the Jacksonville Library on Saturday, July 20, 2024 from 2pm to 3pm. This event is sponsored by the GSSO.
Announcements
On Sunday, August 4, Mystic Bard will play at Paschal Winery from 3:30 to 5:30pm.
For those of you interested in other guitar events, Hawaiian slack key guitarist Stephen Ingliss will play with pedal steel guitarist Barry Sless (who has played with Bobby Weir and Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead) at Weisinger Family Winery on Friday, July 19 at 7pm. You can get more information here.
We’re thinking of starting a “classifieds” section of this newsletter, helping to connect people who are selling and looking for guitars. Watch this space! If you have a guitar for sale or are looking for one, please write to grantruiz@ashlandhome.net.
Please consider becoming a member of the guitar society! Annual dues are $25 for individuals and $40 for a family membership (2 or more people) and help pay for logistical costs. They are good for the calendar year, January through December. Performers, teachers, luthiers, and repair people will have the added benefit of being included in the upcoming Resource page of our website, plus the Society will help announce your services.
Grant’s GFA trip report
Hi, this is Grant, GSSO’s field reporter (for now). I went to the Guitar Foundation of America conference from Monday, June 17 to Saturday, June 22 at Cal State Fullerton. I attended the preliminaries, semifinals, and finals of the international competition. Dragos Ilie, who played a wonderful concert for us in May, made it all the way to the final four out of forty! He mysteriously ended up finishing third. Dragos recently posted on Facebook saying that some people disagreed with his choice to end his set with A Night in Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie, which he played for us as an encore in May. You can catch his complete performance in the finals here. All of the finalists were stunning players and worth checking out:
1. Leonela Alejandro (Puerto Rico)
2. Hao Yang (China)
3. Dragos Ilie (Romania)
4. Francisco Luis (Portugal)
During the conference I got to hear some wonderful concerts, including by Patterson & Sutton (cello and guitar), Duo Mantar (mandolin and guitar with Adam Levin), Petra Polackova, Andras Csaki, the Canadian Guitar Quartet, the Kupinski Duo, and Paul Galbraith, who was inducted into the GFA Hall of Fame at the end of the week. Check these people out as well if you love the classical guitar. Listening to such extraordinary guitar music was uniquely inspirational.
I also attended lectures on arranging pop tunes for the guitar, the origins of the guitar quartet, guitar education, and guitars as a energy transference devices. At the last lecture I got to play a guitar with no back. It sounded just as bad as you might imagine.
Probably the most fun was hanging out with and talking to other guitarists like Elina Chekan (who concertized here with her husband René Izquierdo in November ’23), Bill Kanengiser of the LAGQ, Meng Su, Andy Levin, Adam del Monte, Martha Masters (Director of the GFA), Michael Partington, Paul Galbraith, and composer Steven Goss. Adam, Martha, Michael, and Paul have all played for the guitar society, and all had fond memories of being here. (Michael and Martha were our first guitar series artists back in 2004!). I also got to spend time with luthiers Greg Byers, Jennifer Trowbridge, and Jack Sanders. Jack was the guitar instructor at my alma mater, Pomona College.
If you ever want to seriously geek out on classical guitar, the GFAs are a great place to be. Next year they will be in Louisville, Kentucky.
