MN Guitar Society Monthly FREE Concert - 3 National Fingerpicking Champions

Overview

Eric Lugosh travels from Chicago to be joined by long-time twin city friends, Phil Heywood and Tim Sparks, for a night of amazing guitar collaborations.

Tim Sparks plays by choice - not habit ... ideas - not licks. Tim has been redefining the acoustic guitar repertoire since he won the National Fingerpicking Championship in 1993 with a groundbreaking arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. Sparks continues to surprise, challenge, and thrill audiences with his diverse repertoire and stunning technique. Equally at home with Country Blues, Jazz or World Music, Sparks' extraordinary ability has earned him an international reputation as one of the most innovative guitarists working today.

Forty years ago Phil Heywood moved to town on the heels of a tour with guitarist Leo Kottke, and he has been treating Twin Cities audiences ever since with his ear-bending clarity of tone and irresistible sense of rhythm. Over the years he has garnered a National Fingerpicking Championship, top prize at the American Fingerstyle Guitar Festival, and appearances on NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion. Known for his lyrical, soul-satisfying guitar instrumentals, he can draw listeners in with his voice as well, singing in a warm, plainspoken baritone that blends seamlessly with his rock-solid guitar work.

Eric Lugosch - no gimmicks or gadgets, just a genuinely gifted imagination and a fluency that comes from years of working on his craft. Eric’s arrangements of traditional songs and jazz standards are considered classics in picking circles, as one of America’s best original fingerstyle composers and talented songwriter. Eric has played and taught in festivals around the world including The Wirral International Guitar Festival, The Ullapool Guitar Festival, International Guitar Meeting in Sarzana, Italy, and The New York Guitar Festival. He’s had the honor of performing with greats such as Doc Watson, Taj Mahal, John Prine, and David Bromberg.