Andre Feriante
ANDRE FERIANTE
With Charlie Solbrig
Saturday, January 26,
8:00 pm
Blue Heron Art Center
Tickets: $12/$14
Guitarist keeps music of Segovia alive
“Segovia’s claim to fame was that he made the guitar ‘acceptable’ in the music world,” says guitar virtuoso, Andre Feriante, who studied with the famed Andres Segovia. “He only composed a handful of songs, but many things were written for him that he made popular.”
Feriante will weave little known facts and stories about the maestro into a set of Segovia repertoire. Feriante will also share stories about his time with Segovia. “I’ve rearranged some of the tunes, others will be strictly Segovia favorites revisited,” he said.
Feriante knew guitar would ‘be his life’ at age 16 and has been playing ever since. Internationally acclaimed, Feriante, who was born in Manziana, Italy, a small town north of Rome, recently returned to Italy for an extended visit. “It was a life-changing experience. I re-connected with friends and family I hadn’t seen in 28 years. I played a concert in my home town.”
The trip has inspired a new series of songs with a decidedly Mediterranean flavor. And fans may expect to see an 8th CD in the near future. His most recent CD, Bohemian Boulevard, debuted at number one in 2005, and went on to win Best World Music Album, NAR’s Lifestyle Award.
Feriante plays frequently at Seattle’s Sorrento Hotel and performs an annual gig at Benaroya, which is slated for Feb. 15, 2008.
After twenty years of performing primarily solo, he recently made a decision to expand into a duo with close friend and guitarist, Charlie Solbrig. Solbrig, a classical guitarist who teaches guitar in the Seattle area, also has performed in rock bands, including Tilted Blue. “Two guitars can go many directions. We are co-writing music,” said Feriante.
When asked what inspires him to keep playing he says, “I guess the older I get, the more it’s about ‘feeling,’ taking people to a place of beauty and how we’re all connected no matter our differences.”
The second half of the evening will include a segment with Solbrig, original Spanish style compositions, some classical works, poetry of Rumi and Lorca to music and even a short set of Leonard Cohen music. “I recently did a Leonard Cohen tribute and like to do “Suzanne” with a Bach prelude. It really works,” he says with a laugh.
For more information about Andre Feriante, check out
andreferiante.com.
Call now for tickets - 206.463.5131
