Music
Press
Homecoming is a haunting collection of introspective vignettes and moods from guitarist Ken Bonfield. Bonfield creates an intimate chamber quintet with fellow guitarist Grant Geissman, bassist Michael Manring, percussionist
Efrain Toro, and violinist Jerry Goodman. This all-star cast, known for its pyrotechnic chops, is surprisingly restrained in Bonfield's evocative
compositions. The players amplify the guitarists warm, folk-like melodies
with elusive shadows and bass-reliefs on "Mirage," "Floating," "Dancing
With Shadows," and a cover of Duane Allman's "Little Martha."
"Homecoming" is a subtle and inviting album that keeps revealing its charms over time.
- John Diliberto
Ken Bonfield may be the best acoustic guitarist recording today in the genre of accessible melodic music.
Bonfield's music always evokes strong emotions and vivid images...walks under cloudy skies or sipping coffee while sitting on the back porch during those lazy autumn afternoons, watching the dance of leaves across the grass. - Bill Binkelman
Everyone that attended last night's concert left with the sense they were receiving a perfect gem. It was intimate, remarkable musicianship. Ken's music is heart music, and our hearts all got bigger last night.
- Laurie Low, Rising Star Mill
Many guitarists promise...Ken Bonfield delivers! - CD Review
Ken Bonfield knocks me out. He plays with the two main ingredients I look for in a player; heart and passion. He's a player's player, and I'm a die hard fan.
- John Beland, Flying Burrito Bros.
"Being in a room while Ken Bonfield plays his guitar is a treat for both eyes and ears. The innovative compositions are what keep you listening and watching to see how he coaxes the guitar to make ever new and delightful sounds."
Mary Wiklanski - Crooked Tree Arts Center
Discography
Indian Rain Solo guitar 2008
Brand New Digital only (til June)
Radio promotion begins mid-June 2008
American Baroque, 2006
#11 November NAR World Chart, Top 20 3 months 2007 The album was #1 on scores of radio stations!
WinterNight #20 NAR World Chart, December 2007
Mystic Morning, NAV top 20 1996 for 3 months
Re-issued 2007
Radio promotion for re-issue spring 2008
Homecoming, Echoes Top 25 1998, NAV #5, top 20 for 6 months (Reissued 2007)
(radio promotion of re-issue fall 2008)
Photos
Bio
Calling Ken Bonfield a guitarist is a bit like calling Michelangelo a painter. He's one of the most talented and sincere performers around, and his storytelling alone is worth the price of admission. Expect to be dazzled by his fretwork, charmed by his wit, and moved by his music.
Ken Bonfield is a guitarist, composer, performer, clinician, and educator with 6 CD's to his credit. Bonfield's music has been featured on PRI's Nationally Syndicated radio show, Echoes, NPR's All Things Considered, PBS TV's Yankee Workshop, Fox-TV, and ABC-TV. Known for his left-of-center wit, Ken describes his performances as Leo Kottke meets Ed Gerhard on the way to a Bill Cosby concert.
Bonfield has toured extensively throughout the U.S and Canada as a featured performer at the finest acoustic venues, concert series, festivals, and music conferences such as Kent State Folk Festival, The Bluebird Cafe, Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, Uncle Calvin's, Eddie's Attic, Evening Star Performing Arts Series, and the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance. He has recorded two Living Room Concerts for Public Radio International's "Echoes" with bassist, Michael Manring, and violinist, Joe Ebel, and he has shared the stage with many of today's finest acoustic performers such as Arlo Guthrie, John Mayer, Adrian Legg, Chuck Brodsky, Acoustic Eidolon, Pierce Pettis, Christine Kane, Ed Gerhard, Dee Carstensen, Harvey Reid, Bill Mize, and many more.
Ken is currently on tour in support of his newest Cd, American Baroque: Steel String Surprise, his most stylistically diverse album to date. Best known for his seminal instrumental album, Homecoming, Bonfield's live sets feature material from American Baroque, described by one reviewer as "a beautiful journey into the real Americana ...Bonfield shows his ability to stay organic... music that is uplifting and soulful...encompasses passion, touches the soul, and rejuvenates the heart and mind." Brian Garrepy, Blogcritics.org
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