Monthly Meeting Recap and News for May 2024

Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of our last meeting, the Dragos Ilie concert and outreach events, and lots of announcements and upcoming guitar events coming this month, including tonight!

The Monthly Meeting

Last Thursday was a lovely evening. We kept the doors open to let the warm, Spring breezes waft through the tasting room. We thank Paschal Winery for their continued hospitality and support, providing us with a beautiful home.

Program

John Swinnerton – Phoenix Rising (original)

Steve Bismark – Oscar’s Dream by Maria Linneman, Curaçao Vagabundo by Caetano Veloso

Richard McGrath – The Glory of Love by Billy Hill, Johanna’s Journey (original)

Neil Holland – Warm West Texas Wind, Bouzouki Laments (originals)

Francesco Palmer – Mother Nature Son by Paul McCartney, Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce, What a Wonderful World by George Wiess & Bob Thiele

~ Intermission ~

Brian Parris – Across the Universe by John Lennon 1968, Dark Eyed Cajun Woman by Tom Johnston

Mark Turnbull – The Spring in My Step, Branches, Roots and Vines (originals)

Grant Ruiz – Gnossienne No. 1 by Erik Satie

Dan Fellman & Grant – Nocturne by Dan, Leaving/Cuando Yo Muera by Dan (words by Pablo Neruda), Hotel California (Gipsy Kings version) by The Eagles


 Dragos Ilie visit a big success!

What a week for GSSO! Dragos Ilie arrived on Monday, April 29 and performed at four outreach events and then held a virtuosic, intimate concert for us at Grizzly Peak Winery on May 2. He had told Grant that he normally doesn’t give encores, but he treated us to one, a stunning version of Dizzy Gillespie’s A Night in Tunisia arranged by Roland Dyens.

We were so sad to see him go, but here are some pictures from our week. We wish Dragos the best of luck at the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) competition the week of June 17 and in all of his future endeavors.
 


Announcements


The Folias Duo (classical guitarist Andrew Bergeron and flutist Carmen Maret) will perform an intimate house concert in Ashland on Wednesday, May 22 at 7pm as part of their Dragonfly Tour. Please reply to this message if you’re interested. The message will go to Grant, who can provide more information, including the location. You can also write directly to Grant at grantruiz@ashlandhome.net.

Grant and Dan Fellman will play guitar duets on at the Paschal wine club pick-up party on Saturday, June 1 from 1 to 3pm. They will also play at the Lithia Artisans Market in Ashland on Sunday, June 9 from 1 to 3pm and at Liquid Lounge in Ashland on Wednesday, June 12 from 6 to 8pm.

On June 8 at 4pm, Chamber Music Concerts presents Such Stuff as Dreams are Made On: An Afternoon of Shakespeare and Guitar Featuring Anthony Heald & David Leisner. You can get more information here.

The guitar society received a sweet thank you card from Rupert Boyd of Boyd Meets Girl, who concertized for us back in March. Rupert writes, “Dear Jennifer, Grant, and everyone at the Guitar Society of Southern Oregon. Writing to thank you all so much for warmly welcoming us to Southern Oregon. We really enjoyed our time there, and performing for the society! With all best wishes, Rupert and Laura.”

For those of you who missed the Beijing Duo livestream concert presented by the Omni Foundation on April 6, you can find the full concert here.

Please consider becoming a member of the guitar society! If you attend or play at our meetings frequently, we would especially appreciate your support. Your membership helps pay for our ongoing logistical costs. Annual dues are $25 for individuals and $40 for a family membership (2 or more people). They are good for the calendar year, January through December.

Dance Troupe Sol Flamenco with Guest Guitarist Mark Taylor In Concert

presented by JCGS

The Jefferson Classical Guitar Society and the Siskiyou Institute present “Sol Flamenco” on at 7:00 PM at RoxyAnn Winery in Medford. California based music and dance troupe “Sol Flamenco” will light up the stage at the RoxyAnn Winery with the passionate and powerful music and dance of Spain, known as flamenco.

Joining Sol Flamenco dancers and singers Liza Bortolotto, Joelle Gonçalves and Sara Zanolini will be international recording artist and flamenco guitarist Mark Taylor along with 2nd guitarist Mark Berry. In addition, the troupe will be joined by renown singer Jaime del Rio. This is a line-up not to be missed!

This event is a fundraiser for the Guitar Society and the Institute, two local non-profit organizations dedicated to bringing quality musical performances and education to the region. The concert is also sponsored in part by Roxy Ann Winery (http://roxyann.com) and Rogue Regency Inn and Suites (http://rogueregency.com).

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Space is limited, so for reservations, please call the Siskiyou Institute at 488-3869 or e-mail info@siskiyouinstitute.com.

David Russell In Concert

Presented by Jefferson Public Radio and Jefferson Classical Guitar Society

WHERE:
Ashland High School
Mountain Avenue Theatre
201 S. Mountain Ave.
Ashland, Oregon

WHEN:
Saturday, April 26, 2008, 8:00 PM

CONTACT:
541-552-9515

ADMISSION:
$25.00 General,
$5.00 SOU Students,
Children under 12 free

ADVANCE TICKET SALES:
CD or Not CD
343 East Main St.
Ashland, OR
Central Art Supply
101 N. Central Ave.
Medford, OR

For tickets on-line, go to
Jefferson Public Radio
and click on the link to
David Russell Concert

MASTERCLASS:
Sunday, April 27 10:00 am

For a full color printable, frameable flyer, click here. [I cannot recover this]

DAVID RUSSELL
CLASSICAL GUITARIST

GRAMMY award winner in 2005 for his CD AIRE LATINO, in the category of best instrumental soloist in classical music.

Classical guitarist David Russell is world renowned for his superb musicianship and inspired artistry, having earned the highest praise from audiences and critics alike. In recognition of his great talent and his international career, he was named a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music in London in 1997.

In May 2003 he was bestowed the great honor of being made “adopted son” of Es Migjorn, the town in Minorca where he grew up. Recently the town named a street after him, “Avinguda David Russell”, in recognition for his musical career.

In November 2003 he was given the Medal of Honor of the Conservatory of the Balearics.

After winning the grammy award, the town of Nigrán in Spain where he resides, gave him the silver medal of the town in an emotional ceremony.

During his studies at the Royal Academy, Mr. Russell won twice the Julian Bream Guitar Prize. Later he won numerous international competitions, including the Andrés Segovia Competition , the José Ramírez Competition and Spain’s prestigious Francisco Tárrega Competition .

David Russell spends his time touring the world, appearing regularly at prestigious halls in main cities, such as New York, London, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Madrid, Toronto or Rome. Concert-goers everywhere are in awe of Mr. Russell’s musical genius and inspired by his captivating stage presence. His love of his craft resonates through his flawless and seemingly effortless performance. The attention to detail and provocative lyrical phrasing suggest an innate understanding of what each individual composer was working to achieve, bringing to each piece a sense of adventure.

This year he received a homage from the music conservatory of Vigo, culminating with the opening of the new Auditorium, to which they gave the name “Auditorio David Russell”.

Since 1995 David Russell has an exclusive recording contract with Telarc International, with whom he has recorded eleven CDs up to now, among them Aire Latino, which received a grammy this year.

The New York Times wrote about his performance: “… Mr. Russell made his mastery evident without ever deviating from an approach that places musical values above mere display. It was apparent to the audience throughout the recital that Mr. Russell possesses a talent of extraordinary dimension”.

Upon hearing play in London, Andrés Segovia wrote: “My congratulations on your musicality and guitaristic technique”.

Visit Mr. Russell’s website at: www.DavidRussellGuitar.com
Visit Jefferson Public Radio’s website at: www.ijpr.org/

Rave Reviews from Around the World:

“Mr. Russell made his mastery evident without ever deviating from an approach that placed musical values above mere display. It was apparent to the audience throughout the recital that Mr. Russell possesses a talent of extraordinary dimension.”
····· The New York Times

“He played each work with complete assurance as he gradually divulged a musical imagination that stretched far beyond the limitations of the six strings.”
····· The Washington Post

SUPREME GUITARIST
I have heard in concert Andrés Segovia, Yepes… and all the best guitarists of the 20th century. None of those concerts were like the one David Russell offered in the Teatro Jovellanos for the Philharmonic Society. Russell, like good wines, gets better with the time, becomes stronger and more perfect. Before an enthusiastic audience, he offered a sublime recital.
Russell is the indisputable maestro of the classical guitar, the synthesis of Segovia’s school with the best English school of Julian Bream, enriched with an exceptional sense of colour and musicality. He is friendly both in his manner and in his touch. With naturalness, almost simplicity, but with an absolute knowledge of the guitar, he displayed a wonderful programme.
A marvelous recital on the guitar of a charming performer, David Russell.
Ramón Avelló.
El Comercio (Gijón)

“Russell commands practically all means of expression possible on the guitar but he handles it with an extraordinary discipline only at the service of the tone and interpretation. He belongs to the greatest in the art of guitar.”
····· Bonner Rundsschau (Germany)

“David Russell’s extremely flexible and clear playing sounded so smooth and distinguished that he won over the audience instantly. He showed his ability and the audience held its breath.. .there existed no doubt whatsoever; here excelled a real master on the guitar.”
····· Eindhovens Dagblad (Holland)

“His Bach Chaconne was about the most moving and impressive performance I have ever heard on any instrument. By the end I felt I would rather hear Mr. Russell play this piece than very nearly any violinist. This was a recital to remember. I hope we hear Mr. Russell again and soon.”
····· The Irish Times

“Russell is perhaps the most gifted guitarist on the international scene. He is an artist of formidable technical accomplishment and wonderfully sophisticated musicianship. He drew forth spellbindingly evocative playing and a luscious singing tone.. He captured the seductive, infectious rhythms with a breathtaking amalgam of delicacy and sweep.”
····· The Atlanta Constitution

“Russell makes no compromises. His musical taste is impeccable; his rhythmic security allows him to create tension by purely musical means, always at the service of the composer’s imagination… He also has a keen ear that prompts him to layer the sounds he draws from his instrument in a highly individual fashion. He successfully keeps at least three distinct sound qualities moving at the same time, convincing a casual listener that there must be several performers on the stage at the same time.. He astonished his listeners with the sheer virtuosity of his playing, the incredible fluency that has him moving his fingers about with an ease that is almost insulting.”
····· The Ottawa Citizen

“If an algebraic equation were to establish the difference between a good interpreter and a magnificent performer, what happened last Friday at Russell’s concert could be solved with a formula. The audience, suspended between astonishment and ovations for more than two hours in front of an infinite sonorous universe, composed of souls vibrating like multiple halos of light. And he, the Lord of the guitar, weaving from the stage, for the other four hundred gathered, a tribute to harmony and perfection.
····· Il Gazzettino di Treviso (Italy)