Cost: $30 General Public, $25 for SMP Members, $10 with student ID.
To kick off our 2022 concert season Siskiyou Music Project welcomes back the New West Guitar Group. This performance will take place at the Grizzly Peak Winery Event Center and we will abide by current state of Oregon Covid 19 Protocols.
This concert will be part of a three day residency co-sponsored by the Britt Festival Education Department. The group will visit a number of Rogue Valley schools during the week, culminating with their performance on Friday, April 22.
New West has developed a widespread reputation as one of the premier jazz guitar ensembles in the world. Featuring guitarists Perry Smith (NYC) John Storie (LA) and Will Brahm (LA), they perform exciting originals, jazz standards and popular covers. Their signature sound comes from an innovative style that highlights rhythm, beauty and virtuosity through combining acoustic and electric guitars.
Praised as “sharp and refined” by the Seattle Times, the New West Guitar Group has released 7 full length albums since 2005. Each project features their unique style of laid-back virtuosity and finely crafted arrangements. Their latest album “Live at Mauch Chunk Opera House” was filmed and recorded near Allentown, Pennsylvania at a legendary opera house built in the 1800s. The project features original compositions and popular covers captured in an exciting live setting for a sold out crowd.
In August of 2015, New West released a collaborative project “Send One Your Love” on Summit Records. The recording features renowned jazz vocalists: Gretchen Parlato, Sara Gazarek, Becca Stevens, Tierney Sutton and Peter Eldridge. Downbeat Magazine gave this CD the prestigious Editor’s Pick in their August 2015 issue.
Smith and Storie founded New West at USC’s Thornton School of Music. Today they continue to tour as a trio with Brahm and special guests throughout the United States and abroad. Their music is regularly featured on NPR and jazz radio stations, while their repertoire is performed throughout the country by college and high school guitar programs. New West Guitar Group’s versatility as players and composers have given them a reputation as pioneers in the realm of guitar ensemble.
To see a video of New West live, please click https://youtu.be/eemi7yCfluQ
“A rare chemistry…shimmering arpeggios, collectively strummed chords, tight cracking interplay and complementary playing. ”
— Downbeat Magazine“They’re masters of their caressing, cascading sound, best categorized as chamber jazz…dexterously peppered, now and again, with Gypsy fire, flamenco zest and steel-string twang.”
— JazzTimes
