Recap of the JCGS Music Meeting June 5, 2018

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We enjoyed a very full evening of excellent music and camaraderie at the beautiful Paschal Winery in Talent on Tuesday, June 5. There were over 45 people in attendance.
 
PROGRAM
 
Due Mandolini (Milton and Laurel Bloombaum) – Samo Nemoj Ti (Croatian waltz)
 
Kevin McDowell – Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash,  I Think of You 
 
Joe Thompson – Alexandra’s Lullabye by Joseph Thompson
 
John Swinnerton – untitled original
 
Bill Graham – Besame Much by Consuelo Velasquez
 
Brian Parris – I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry by Hank Williams
 
Steve Bismarck – Triste by A.C. Joabim
 
Matt Dorris – Leventin Suite, 4th movement by Dusan Bagdanovic
 
~ INTERMISSION ~
 
Goh Kurosawa presented a program of original music, including singing and group participation, using a variety of techniques, including “slap tap.”
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Tickets for the June 10 concert with virtuoso flamenco and classical guitarist Grisha Goryachev are going fast (only 16 online tickets available as of this writing)! Advanced ticket purchases are highly recommended since the venue, Paschal Winery, is small, we expect to sell out, and there will only be about 10 tickets available at the door. Visit grisha.brownpapertickets.com for information and sales. You can read Grisha’s bio as well as a wonderful article written by Tom Strini of the Corvallis Guitar Society.
 
Seattle-based Flamenco dancer Savannah Fuentes will be performing with Spanish gypsy guitarist Pedro Cortes on Saturday, June 30 at the First United Congregational Church of Christ on Morton and Siskiyou in Ashland. The currently scheduled start time is 8pm. Details will be sent later.
 
Grant Ruiz will play guitar duets with Dan Fellman at the Grants Pass Porchfest on Saturday, June 16 from noon to 1pm; with the Britt Guitar Trio at the OSF Green Show on Sunday, June 17 at 6:45pm; on Wednesday, June 20 at Belle Fiore with Dan Fellman from 6-8pm; and with the Britt Guitar Weekend faculty at the Britt Gardens on Saturday, June 23 at 7:30pm.
 
The Britt Festival has opened up enrollment for their Guitar Weekend June 22-24. Seven instructors will teach seven styles for two hours each over three days. The fee also includes admission to guitar concerts that weekend. More information at brittfest.org/gw. Tell a guitar-loving friend! Only some beginning experience is required. There will also be a faculty concert on Saturday night, June 23 at the Britt Performance Garden.


Respectfully submitted,
Grant Ruiz
JCGS president

Recap of the JCGS Music Meeting May 1, 2018

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We enjoyed a very full evening of excellent music and camaraderie at the beautiful Paschal Winery in Talent on Tuesday, May 1. There were over 40 people in attendance.

PROGRAM
 
John Swinnerton – The Condor (original tremolo piece)
Kevin McDowell – Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, Unchain My Heart by
Rob Rhodes – Se Ela Perguntar by Dilermando Reis
Joe Thompson – Eleanor Plunkett and The Honorable Thomas Burke by Turlough O’Carolan, arr. Joseph Thompson
Norm Fletcher – Cavatina by Stanley Meyers
Chip Dennerlein – Love Will Always Find a Way, Baby, Can I Follow You Home? (originals)
Brian Parris – Back Home Again by John Denver, Home by Carla Bonoff
Arturo Ville – Danai’s Blues (original)
~ INTERMISSION ~
The Britt Guitar Trio (Ed Dunsavage, Mark Nelson, Grant Ruiz) played a varied selection of tunes:
Caminata by Ralph Towner
Chan Chan by The Buena Vista Social Club
‘Ulupalakua (trad. Hawaiian slack key)
The Gentle Rain by Luis Bonfa
Minor Swing by Django Reinhardt
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Grant Ruiz plays with Flamenco Pacifico at the Ashland New World Festival today, May 19, from 3:15-4pm at the Lithia Park Bandshell. The show will feature Portland-based dancer Elena Villa.
Guitarist James Bishop-Edwards and singer Pat O’Scannell present a program of Spanish music from the Renaissance to Early Baroque period tonight, May 19, at 7pm at the Crystal Room of the Ashland Springs Hotel. https://www.musicamatrix.org/events/33/concert-espana/ for more info.
Grant Ruiz and Dan Fellman will play guitar duets at Kindred Spirits in Talent on Friday, May 25 from 6:30-8:30p, then at Belle Fiore the next night, Saturday, May 26 from 6-8pm.
Goh Kurosawa from LA will be our featured artist for the June meeting.
June will be very a full month. June 10 we will feature the incredible flamenco and classical guitarist, Grisha Goryachev, at Paschal Winery. Tickets will go on sale soon. You can check out his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/mininocurro.
June 30, flamenco dancer Savannah Fuentes will appear with guitarist Pedro Cortes, one of the best flamenco guitarists in the country, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Ashland. More news to come.
The Britt Festival has opened up enrollment for their Guitar Weekend June 22-24. Seven instructors will teach seven styles for two hours each over three days. The fee also includes admission to guitar concerts that weekend. More information at brittfest.org/gw. Tell a guitar-loving friend! Only some beginning experience is required. There will also be a faculty concert on Saturday night, June 23 at the Britt Performance Garden.
Respectfully submitted,
Grant Ruiz
JCGS president

Recap of the JCGS Music Meeting April 3, 2018

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We enjoyed a very full evening of excellent music and camaraderie at the beautiful Paschal Winery in Talent on Tuesday, April 3.
 
 
PROGRAM
 
Joe Thompson – Lament With Cowboy Song by Joseph Thompson
 
Karma & Rob Rhodes – Corrento; Come With Me My Giselle (both anonymous)
 
Bill Graham – Ashokan Farewell by Jay Unger (1982)
 
Brian Parris – Who Will Watch The Home Place by Laurie Lewis
 
Kevin McDowell – Amado Mio by Fisher and Roberts
 
Bob Bath – Meditation by A.C. Jobim, arr. by Jorge Nolla.
 
John Swinnerton – Staffordshire (original)
 
Grant Ruiz – Cien Años by Rubén Fuentes and Alberto Cervantes
 
~ INTERMISSION ~
 
Visiting classical guitarist Travis Johnson captivated the audience with remarkable solos:
 
BWV 1004 (Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Giga) by J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750)
La Folia Folio by Bryan Johanson (1951 – present)
Sonata Op. 61 by Joaquin Turina (1882 – 1949)

 

 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
The Britt Festival has opened up enrollment for their Guitar Weekend June 22-24. Seven instructors will teach seven styles for two hours each over three days. The fee also includes admission to guitar concerts that weekend. More information at brittfest.org/gw. Tell a guitar-loving friend! Only some beginning experience is required. There will also be a faculty concert on Saturday night, June 23 at the Britt Performance Garden.
 
Grant Ruiz will play solo guitar on Wednesday, April 25 at the open house art show at the Fountain Plaza retirement community at 1441 Morrow Rd. in Medford; duets with Dan Fellman on Saturday, April 28 at Belle Fiore from 6-8pm; and solo guitar on Sunday, April 29 at Paschal Winery’s happy hour from 4-6pm. 
 
For any guitarists interested in playing at the Grants Pass PorchFest, please contact Linda Scott starting today atscottlj@charter.net. The event is Saturday, June 16. There are one-hour slots from 12-3pm. If a group of JCGS members or SOU students wishes to perform, they can take turns playing on an assigned porch, or play in ensemble! Linda says JCGS members are invited to come out to Grants Pass that day to visit and support the event in any case. 
The Britt Guitar Trio will be the featured artists for the May meeting. The trio just completed a residency tour of Rogue Valley schools. They combine elements of jazz, Hawaiian slack key, Americana, and flamenco guitar. 
 
Goh Kurosawa of Los Angeles will be our featured artist for the June meeting. 
 
Grant’s group Flamenco Pacifico has new merchandise: T-shirts! You can order the shirts at https://www.paypal.me/BertoBoyd/25. They cost $25 each, which includes shipping. Please specify your size at the time of order. Thank you for your support!
 
Treasurer Rob Rhodes reminded everyone to pay their dues, $20 for the calendar year, and they can be paid any time of year. Dues help support our ongoing expenses (state and federal fees, venue insurance, and website hosting) plus additional efforts like bringing guitarists to the area for concerts. Even though it’s voluntary, we ask that everybody who attends our meetings pays dues.
 
Michael Philbert has joined the JCGS Board of Directors, since a position opened up with the passing of our dear Sam Cooper. Grant will be the interim president until the next elections, and Bob Bath will take Grant’s place as secretary.
 
 
Respectfully submitted,
Grant Ruiz
President, JCGS