Guitar Styles 101: an educational evening of classical, jazz, rock 'n roll and bluegrass guitar

The non-profit cultural arts group Musical Art Society of Branford announces its first free public concert of the 2005-6 season, which will take place on Friday, September 30 at 8:00 pm at the First Congregational Church of Branford, CT (USA) on the green. This will be an exciting demonstration of four distinct guitar styles performed by regional artists, including:

Alexander Vlassenkov – classical
Kevin Ryan – jazz
Tex LaMountain – rock 'n roll
Jim Sherlock – bluegrass

Alexander Vlassenkov, from Branford, is a classical guitarist/teacher/composer who teaches guitar at the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven and at Springfield Music School. He earned two Master's degrees from Guildhall School of Music and drama in London (UK) and Belarus Academy of music, Minsk. Alex has performed recitals and concerts all over the former USSR, UK, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and more recently in the USA. He has released three CDs that include his original compositions. More information may be found on his website: http://pages.prodigy.net/avlassenkov.

Kevin Ryan, a graduate of Boston's Berklee College of Music, played and recorded extensively in groups in the Boston area before moving to New York City where he composed music for the Bravo channel as well as performing and teaching. He currently resides in Connecticut where he teaches guitar at Sound Choice of Branford and performs locally.

Tex LaMountain, from Greenfield, MA, was a singer and guitarist with the 1970's folk/rock band "Clean Living," which recorded two albums on the Vanguard label. He has also performed for 30 years with his wife Pat, touring around the country and recording 3 self-produced albums with their group "Bright Morning Star." Tex will discuss and demonstrate old-time rock 'n roll with dazzling guitar work and unusual tenor vocals. He is currently one of the "Jordanaires" in a touring Elvis cover band called "Travis LeDoyt and the Extraordinaires," teaches a class in songwriting at Greenfield Community College and continues to perform regionally.

Jim Sherlock, from Warwick, RI, fronted his own band "The Country Connection" for many years, and currently performs with the bluegrass group "Lake William" in the RI area, as well as giving private lessons. His style of cross-picking and flat-picking is reminiscent of Norman Blake, George Shuffler and Doc Watson. Jim will discuss as well as play his music accompanied by his own rich baritone vocals and two guest ("mudcat") accompanists.

Each artist will use 20 minutes or so to showcase their particular genre of guitar music, demonstrating some of the range, power and variety of this popular instrument. Refreshments will be served at a reception following the concert. The event is free (donations accepted for the music scholarship fund) and open to the public, and the Congregational Church hall is handicap accessible.