Guitarists from across the world are playing together in Bangalore this weekend
Guitarists from across the world are playing together in Bangalore this weekend
If weekday hectic hours bring-me-down moods are setting you off, the strumming of these guitar strings this weekend might work as a perfect antidote. These guitarists from Canada, Hungary, India and Japan will make you tick and sway to their smooth rendering of acoustic guitars as they resound at the Jayamahal Palace Grounds, this Friday. The show will have solos, duets and finally encore for two and a half hours.
Rhythm of the guitar
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Four acoustic guitarists share a single platform, belting out a wide variety of musical styles catch Don Ross from Canada with his funky style, Masa Sumide, a bubbly man from Japan with disco, jazz, rock and funk, Sandor Szabo, calm and composed with a strong Hungarian influence and Konarak Reddy with Hindustani and Carnatic improvisations.
The show with each musician performing a solo in short sets of about 30 minutes each, will be a non-stop gig.
"We will just keep the music coming and also try an encore towards the end of the night,"says Don Ross.
Coming to Bangalore for the first time, Ross adds, "I have not heard much about the city and everything is new to me. We just have to wait and watch."
Konarak Reddy of Bangalore says, "For the past couple of years, I have been bringing guitarists to play in India.
But it was time to enhance this instruments value and incorporate various styles from different parts of the world. We are committed to our music, using different techniques but following our own destiny based on culture and roots. We will play original tracks, but Masa will also strum popular tracks, and will harmonize them in a unique style. I will blend both Indian and Western and my goal is to take melodies and use harmony as freely as possible."
Electronic vs Acoustic
No picks for them, being fingerpicking style guitar players, they do not mind the new electronic guitars intruding into their space. As long as it serves the purpose of good music, then it's all right for them and mixing the traditional with the modern would be better off. But Sandor feels, "In electronic music the human factor is missing. In acoustic, there is a human touch, a direct touch, which I completely believe in." Music for him is fused with layers of rhythm, harmony and melody. "I am a musician first and then a guitarist," he adds.
Ross concedes, "The unfortunate result of computer music is that the human element is missing. So much so, that even techno guys find it impressive when they hear music from a traditional guitar."
Masa, the shy guy who kept tight-lipped all along, adds his final bit, "For certain people acoustic lacks volume and loudness."
At Jayamahal Palace Hotel
When November 13-14, 7 pm onwards
Tickets Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500
Call 98800 36611
Don Ross
He was born in Montreal in 1960 into a musical family. He first started playing solo at the age of eight. He prefers to write original music and develop his own personal style.
Sandor Szabo
He was born in 1956 in Torokszentmiklos, Hungary. He belongs to the rare breed of exotic players and composers. He is popularly known as 'the seducer.'
Masa Sumide
He made his debut as part of a three-piece band called SIGNAL in 1975 but from late 1996 onwards, he went solo. He is known for his unique one-man-band approach that is groovy, percussive, inventive and dazzling.
Konarak Reddy
He is a pioneer and legend among music lovers in India and is renowned for his finger-style playing.
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