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Concerts Here

at Schoenberg Guitars

Mike Dowling

Friday, January 28, 2012, 8:00 p.m.

$20. advance, $25. at the door.

A long-time favorite of ours, Mike is possessed of an old musical soul – which explains how he can pull transcendent tunes and licks from deep in his musical bag of American roots guitar styles. It’s as if he were a traditional Piedmont-style fingerpicker and swing jazz legend, all wrapped into one. He also sings and his feeling and phrasing make the songs his own. Relaxed and down-to-earth, Mike makes it all good fun. From bottleneck blues on a well-worn National to elegant swing interpretations that find a groove Ella Fitzgerald would love, Mike can do it all. And he’s got a Grammy, from the Pink Guitar recording. He’s an esteemed old friend, and he will be your friend, too.

”One of the finest guitar players there is, anywhere.” – Vassar Clements

“His strongest suit in a hand that includes versatility, musical intelligence and a

good ear for material is his ability to communicate. . . he injects feeling into every

word and note." -- Hit List, Acoustic Guitar

Happy Traum & Adam Traum

Thursday, February 9, 8:00 p.m.

$15. in advance, $20. at the door.

Happy Traum has roots going to Washington Square Park and lessons with Brownie McGhee at the very beginning of the great “folk scare.” And it was his group, The New World Singers, who were the first to record Dylan’s “Blowin’ In The Wind.” Responsible as well for the terrific Homespun video lessons, Happy has been making an impact on American acoustic music for decades. Joining him tonight is our local Traum, his son Adam, who borrowed his first electric guitar from John Sebastian. Together they’ll survey the folk scene, as eyewitnesses and creators of some of our most beloved music. This is a very rare treat – come share it with us!

Eric & Suzy Thompson

Saturday, February 25, 8:00 p.m.

$20. in advance, $25. at the door.

If you’re a Bay area music lover, you know Eric and Suzy from a number of top-flight musical groups. Together, though, there is beautiful music and the kind of creative communication that can only develop when great talent meets exceptional intuition. Eric & Suzy were last here for the release of their wonderful CD, Dream Shadows, a mix of country blues, old-time music, and early Cajun music. We’re delighted to have them back tonight when we’ll hear plenty of Eric's flatpicking (on guitar, cuatro and mandolin), noteworthy for its purity of tone, speed, and soulfulness, and Suzy’s powerful blues singing, award-winning fiddling, and Cajun accordion playing. American traditional music has its standard-bearers & none better than Eric & Suzy!

About “Old as Dirt”: "What a mesmerizing blend of the old and the new! Ancient primeval tones played with a modern precision; tough, gritty vocals; sparkling instrumentation creativity and a bouncing, buoyant groove that just doesn't quit.” – Dave Briggs, WPLN-FM, Nashville

Peter Finger

Friday, March 9, 2012, 8:00 p.m.

$20. in advance, $25. at the door.

Simply stated, Germany’s Peter Finger is one of the finest fingerstyle guitarists in the world. His original songs are as much influenced by Bartok and Debussy as by B.B. King and Jimi Hendrix. He has written for symphony orchestra, film and television since the 1980s, headed a record label, and published a magazine. With almost 20 records to his name, he is considered by his peers as one of the handful of guitarists who must be heard. If you care about guitar, you need to hear Peter.

“He has great passion and incredible chops, and he’s always pushing the envelope of his playing . . . His music pulls the listener into a unique, haunting, and exhilarating universe.” – Tim Sparks

“Peter Finger is a truly unique musician – and I love his work!” – Tommy Emmanuel

Pierre Bensusan

Friday, May 25, 2012, 8:00 p.m.

$20. in advance, $25. at the door.

The legendary Pierre Bensusan returns to the shop to bring us a virtuosity rooted in the primary fingerstyle documents – Irish tunes, world folk music, and Appalachian songs – and a deep feeling for the creative musical sources from which all of this music flowed. His influences are many – you can hear Keith Jarrett & Astor Piazzolla in his improvisations. But Pierre’s music transcends labels – his unique voice was formed long before the terms “New Age,” “New Acoustic Music” or “World Music” were invented – what you hear in Pierre is a great composer of melody and a stunning accessibility. There is a sense of something both playful and serious in his work, and a sense of soulful freedom in his compositions and his improvisations. His last concert was the standout session of the year. We expect no less from Pierre tonight!

"Pierre’s music gives me the shakes. No other guitarist shares his strange gifts of sophistication, accessibility and downright joy. Even at its most complex, Pierre’s music only needs ears to be enjoyed." –Leo Kottke

"He released his first album in 1975, and since then has carved a reputation as one of the most innovative guitarists there is, practically unrivalled by any acoustic (or maybe even electric) player. Pierre's music, though highly complex, is defined by melody and accessibility. You can hum a piece by Pierre Bensusan. The melodies lodge in the mind easily as well as make you wonder "How does he do that ?" – Kernan Andrews, The Galway Advertiser (Ireland)

"Bensusan's remarkable technical ability has never been in question, but it's the sheer musicality and lyricism of his body of work that has cemented his position as one of the most accomplished acoustic guitarists on the planet.” – John Kelman, Allaboutjazz.com (USA)