Saturday, February 8, 7:30 p.m., Orcas Center
— from Bethany Marie for Orcas Center —
Orcas Center is pleased to present Martin Taylor, a multi-award-winning guitarist, on Center Stage February 8 at 7:30 p.m. Taylor dazzles audiences with his solo shows which combine virtuosity, emotion, humor, and a strong stage presence while his inimitable style has seen him recognized as the world’s foremost exponent of solo fingerstyle guitar playing. Taylor has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that is admired, and often imitated, by guitarists all over the world.
Collaborations with artists including Jeff Beck, Tommy Emmanuel, Bill Wyman, Chet Atkins, David Grisman, Dianne Schuur, and Gary Burton have seen him garner two honorary doctorates, a BBC lifetime achievement award, Top 10 albums in both the USA and Europe, a record 14 British Jazz Awards and in 2002 he was appointed MBE ‘For Services to Jazz Music’ by Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain. As one of the world’s most recognized online guitar teachers his innovative online guitar school with its headquarters in Napa, CA has been featured on NPR, BBC, Fox News and the LA Times. The Washington Post praises Taylor by stating, “No matter how complex or daring, Taylor’s interpretations never short change the melodies; indeed, his remarkable fluid touch imbues a seamless beauty. Martin Taylor is something to behold.”
As a special encore, celebrated local musician Gene Nery, a guitarist/vocalist from Vancouver, British Columbia, and his two guests Emily Aring and Lek Thixton will be closing out the evening. After performing extensively around the world on Princess Cruises, Nery is currently performing at Rosario Resort on Orcas Island.
Experience the unique styles of Martin Taylor and special guest Gene Nery on Saturday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $15-$47, and are available online at www.OrcasCenter.org.
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Martin Taylor is one of the most phenomenal solo guitarists in the world. This is a “must see” concert because you have to see it to believe it. Thank you to the Orcas Center for bringing him to the island!
A recent Guitar Player article said this:
MARTIN TAYLOR IS ARGUABLY THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED SOLO JAZZ guitarist in the world. Although relatively unrecognized in the U.S., Taylor’s praises have been sung by fans ranging from Pat Metheny—who described him as “one of the most awesome solo-guitar players in the history of the instrument”—to Queen Elizabeth II of England, who made him a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for Service to Jazz Music.
I’ve been listening to Martin’s music for years and have heard him twice in concert. His solo playing is truly phenomenal–one of the few players who can express the harmonic range of a piano–bass lines, chords and melody–on the guitar. It’s wonderful that he’s coming to our Orcas Center–an opportunity not to miss!