Music
Press
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
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.
Bonfield is one of the best guitarists recording today, possessed of technical chops, sincerity and passion, and a poet’s sense of beauty in his composing.
Bonfield has taken his playing to another, ethereal level where he can make his guitar sound like a sitar or a temple bell as he pulls you into a state of rising consciousness.
If he’s escaped your detection so far, you’ll be glad to know that here is an album which will serve as a great introduction to his musical gifts.: American Baroque is an exceptional collection of tunes featuring artists who are truly simpatico with each other!
Bill Binkelman New Age Reporter - Bill Binkelman
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
"One of the most sincere and talented musicians I've ever met. His storytelling is worth the price of admission."
Dave Green,
WUSP105.Fm
- Dave Green
Solo acoustic guitar playing is far from a dying art form, but it takes a careful listener to catch all of the subtle grace and beauty from accomplished six-string players as they perform. Peter Janson's third album, Firelight Moonlight, dips into jazz, folk, classical, and world music. The original and personal songs are sophisticated and clever enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, and you can't help but fall in love with some of these rare beauties like "Naissance," "A Clear Stillness," and "Perched In the Soul." Janson, who obviously has taken to heart his fair share of Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, and Will Ackerman, plays with natural ease and sensory transcendence. - Dirty Linen
"God...it's been such a long time since a performance has touched me like yours has. Thank you!" - J Billings - Massachusetts
"I listened to your CD all the way from Washington to Syracuse (which means it went around a few times) and love it, just as I loved your performance." - T Harrison (singer/songwriter) - Toronto
"I wanted to send you a thank you for your artistry.... After merely one listening ...I was an instant Fan. You are a true gift to this world for bringing this workmanship to the hearts and ears of those who are lucky enough to hear your mastery of the guitar. Thank You, Sincerely from an aspiring Guitarist." - J Rapp - email (location not disclosed)
“Although Peter Janson has been influenced by some of contemporary music’s greatest artists, his style remains his own. His fingerstyle performances are earthy, sparkling,
and evocative.� - RJ Lannan, NAR Sounding Board
Discography
Ken Bonfield:
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)
Peter Janson:
Winter Gifts (2007) EWM Records
Beautiful Day (2006) EWM Records
Firelight Moonlight (2004) EWM Records
Sometimes From Here (2001) EWM Records
Across the Bridge (1999) EWM Records
Photos
Bio
Artistry of the Guitar is a concert experience featuring performances by founder Ken Bonfield, Peter Janson, and quite often special guests, and can also include community based events such as Master Classes, Guitar workshops, or in-school performances. We can design a package that best suits your community's needs.
Yes Artistry of the Guitar is about the guitar and guitarists, but more importantly Artistry of the Guitar is about the music one can make with this often humble yet incredibly diverse instrument! Capable of making any style of music, the guitar compares only to the piano when it comes to stylistic potential - of course, we like guitars more; you cant put a piano on your back and carry it with you around the world.
Bonfield and Janson were introduced to each other by fellow guitarist, and NAR interviewer, Jamie Bonk in 2005. Unbeknownst to the two, they had been talked about in the same breath for years by music reviewers like Bill Binkelman of Wind and Wire and were often played back-to-back on radio stations around the world. Given that the two were so closely tied musically, they were pleasantly surprised to find that they lived only about an hour from each other. Since their introduction Bonfield and Janson have forged a strong relationship on and off the concert stage. This has translated to an often impromptu stage patter that amuses both the audience and the musicians!
At an Artistry of the Guitar concert you will hear exquisite guitar music ranging from country blues, ragtime, and folk, to traditional Celtic, jazz, classical, contemporary, and even rock inspired guitar slapping! Is FoCeltiJazzical a genre? We hope not because its mighty hard to pronounce, but surely Ken, Peter, and their special guests cover the gamut of acoustic guitar styles.
Experienced performers, Bonfield and Janson have been featured performers at such venerable rooms as Caffe Lena, the oldest coffee house concert venue in the country, Club Passim in Cambridge MA, Eddies Attic in Atlanta, and The Mozaic Room, Blackstone River Theatre, Kent State Folk Festival, Newport Guitar Festival, Montreal Guitar Show, and the Healdsburg Guitar Festival. And theyve shared the stage with acoustic artists of all stripes including popster John Mayer, folk icon Arlo Guthrie, guitar luminaries Alex de Grassi, Adrian Legg, Ed Gerhard, Dakota Dave Hull, Bill Mize and more More than a few Grammys on that list!
Workshops and in-school performances can be a wonderful additional component to the Artistry of the Guitar experience. Ken has taught privately for almost 20 years, and Peter teaches and directs guitar studies at The University of Massachusetts Boston. Bonfield is a key endorser for Thomastik-Infeld Strings, Alan Carruth Guitars, and LR Baggs Electronics, and Janson is a key endorser for Tippin Guitars. Together and separately they have conducted workshops all over the country at stores, universities, festivals, and concert halls. The two love to share the secrets of playing, writing, and arranging for the acoustic guitar with guitarists of all levels - helping each along their own path towards guitar artistry.
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