Jazz Guitar Summit
The Jazz Guitar Summit
will feature four jazz guitarists
known for their intense dedication to creativity.
Vandivier is a bulwark of the Bay Area jazz scene. Westbrook
divides his time between NYC and the Bay Area, while Portland based
Stowell and
Meagher represent some new directions jazz guitarists
are venturing into. Their individual creative talents will be on
display at this event, demonstrated by their compositional approach,
improvisational acumen, and fresh take on "old" standards. The
instrumentation of this group (lacking drums, piano, or bass) pokes the
proverbial bear when it comes to a jazz performance. Guitar quartets
usually dwell in the classical world, but this quartet ventures into
virtually uncharted territory by favoring improvisation over the
rigidity of purely composed work.
Guitarist John Stowell
began his career in the early 1970’s with private study with
guitarist Linc Chamberland and pianist John Mehegan. Several years
later he met bassist David Friesen in New York City, and they formed a
duo that recorded and toured prolifically for seven years. The
duo continues to perform thirty years after their first meeting.
In 1983, John and David joined flutist Paul Horn for a historic tour of
the Soviet Union.
He has also played with Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton, Art Farmer, Conte
Condoli, Herb Ellis, Bill Watrous, Mundell Lowe, George Cables, Billy
Higgins, Billy Hart, Richie Cole, Paul Horn, Tom Harrrel, Don Thompson,
and Dave Liebman.
http://www.johnstowell.com/
Guitarist Rick Vandivier
has performed with Smith Dobson, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Bruce Forman,
John Handy, Mose Allison, Carl Saunders, David Grisman, Richie Cole,
and Dr. Lonnie Smith.
Rick's performing career has been highlighted by performances in: The
Hague, Berlin, Abidjan (Ivory Coast, Africa), the Chicago Opera House,
the Wilshire Theatre in Los Angeles, the Berklee Performance Center in
Boston, Great American Music Hall, American Conservatory Theater,
Seattle Opera House, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Carnegie Hall.
http://www.rickvandivier.com
Early exposure to jazz through educational programs (b.1979 SF, CA) allowed Luke Westbrook
to participate in the Monterey Jazz Festival, and the Grammy in the
Schools programs as part of the San Francisco Jazz Festival. In pursuit
of his musical vision, he has also studied privately with William A.
Mathieu, Dušan Bogdanovic,and Kevin R. Gallagher.
He recorded and performed with drum legend Donald “Duck”
Bailey.
He also curated and participated in the “Listening Hut”, a
weekly creative music series in San Francisco that featured artists
such as Matthew Goodheart, Gino Robair, Phillip Greenlief, Damon Smith,
Sheldon Brown and Jon Raskin.
In 2009 Luke moved to Brooklyn, NY. Since moving east he has balanced
live performance with other professional duties including scoring a
series of short videos for the Wall Street Journal.
http://www.westbrookmusic.com
After graduating from San Diego State University, guitarist Ryan Meagher moved to New York City where he studied with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ben Monder, Steve Cardenas, and Peter Bernstein.
While maintaining his New York jazz career
he attained his master degree from the University of Nevada, Reno,
under Peter Epstein.
He has performed with Alan Ferber, Dan Pratt, Jared Gold, Joe Bagg,
Mark
Ferber, Ralph Alessi, Jim Black, Shane Endsley, Dave Scott, Loren
Stillman, Thomas Morgan, Mark Levine, Erik Jekabson, and Peter Epstein.
He has released two albums on Fresh Sound New Talent Records.
"Atroefy", featuring Loren Stillman and Matt Renzi, and "Tone", with Shane Endsley and
Matt Blostein.
He is scheduled to record a third, live cd with Peter Epstein, George
Colligan, and Mark Ferber in August 2013.
http://www.ryanmeagher.com
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