Benefit Concert at the Unitarian Center

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Unitarian Center
87 Fourth St.
Ashland, Oregon
Sunday, August 29th, 2004 3pm

The Jefferson Classical Guitar Society (JCGS) will present a benefit concert on Sunday, August 29th at 3:00pm. The performance will take place at the Unitarian Center, 87 Fourth Street, in Ashland. This Benefit Concert will showcase professional guitarists from the JCGS who are also prominent members of the regional music community. It will feature solo performances by guitarists Joseph Thompson, Grant Ruiz, Steve Berman, Bil Leonhart, David Rogers, Jaxon Williams and Dan Ferris as well as an appearance by the Dark Rose Guitar Trio. The program will include music from the traditional classical guitar repertoire as well as flamenco guitar and early music on baroque guitar and vihuela.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students. Children under 12 years of age are admitted for free. Tickets will be available at the door. Advanced tickets are recommended and can be purchased at “CD or not CD”, 343 E. Main St. in Ashland or at Larry’s Music, 1105 N. Riverside Ave. in Medford. The society will also sell raffle tickets at the concert. The winner of the drawing will get a house concert in their own home for their friends and family by the Dark Rose Trio. Raffle tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.

This benefit concert is the kick-off to a fund-raising drive in support of the society’s first concert series, and all proceeds will go toward the series. The series features three outstanding, internationally recognized concert guitarists. The first concert in the series features Michael Partington of Seattle on October 29, 2004. Next will be Martha Masters of Los Angeles on January 14, 2005. Jason Vieaux of Cleveland, Ohio will perform the final concert of the series on March 11, 2005. Each guitarist will also teach a master class the day following the concert. The membership of the JCGS is very excited to have the opportunity to present these gifted artists to the Rogue Valley.

The Jefferson Classical Guitar Society formed about three years ago as a small group of individuals interested in sharing their passion for the classical guitar. It has rapidly grown into a non-profit organization that has sponsored a number of concerts, master classes, and special events. The society meets on the first Tuesday of every month at Paschal Winery in Talent, attracting up to 60 people per month. The membership ranges in age from 7 to 77 and from beginners to amateurs to professionals. The society also has a special interest in outreach to young and old alike. Members have performed at local schools, retirement facilities, and charitable events. All are welcome to attend the monthly meetings to enjoy a wide array of live music played on the classical guitar.

For more info call 552-9515. Click here for a printable image of the JCGS Benefit Concert flyer.

Dave Rogers In Concert

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Eugene guitarist and Ashland legend, David C. Rogers played on the evening of Saturday, June 19th, 2004, at Headwaters Gallery, 84 Fourth Street, in Ashland.

David Rogers
World Classical Guitar

Combine virtuoso classical guitar technique with a wide knowledge of world music, and the result is the amazingly versatile guitar music repertoire of David Rogers. Here are settings of Balkan Gypsy dances, Irish harp music, and pieces from Spain and South America, punctuated with amazingly lively rhythm and beautiful, expressive quality of tone. Here also are driving renditions of American fingerstyle masterworks by Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Duck Baker and originals, done with full presence on nylon string guitar using classical technique but leaving out none of the driving style. Add to this the polished performances of selected classics by Bach, Weiss, Sor, Tarrega, Villa-Lobos and others, plus adaptations from such jazz masters as Django Reinhart and Thelonious Monk. Rogers’ setting of Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” has received no less praise from his fellow guitar soloists than his high-Baroque harmonizations of airs by the Irish harper Turlough O’Carolan, and the Scottish composer James Oswald. Dave provides wide stylistic variety to provide listeners with the most varied listening experience possible.

Jaxon Williams at the Craterian Theater

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Jaxon Williams, along with six other outstanding music students from Ashland High School, was invited to perform at the Ginger Rogers Craterian Theater in Medford in their “Celebrating State Soloists” recital. The concert was on Sunday, April 4th, 2004 at 7:00 pm. As a result of the Southern Oregon Music Educators Solo and Ensemble Festivals, held on March 13, Jaxon earned an invitation to the Oregon School Activities Association State Solo Music Championships on May 1st at Oregon State University in Corvallis.

Jaxon is the son of Doug and Ronda Williams, guitar student of Joseph Thompson and is a member of the Jefferson Classical Guitar Society. He performed Prelude No. 1 by Heitor Villa lobos.