Steel-string Guitarist to Perform at CU Tuesday, March 6

Athens, W.Va. – As part of Concord University’s Artist Lecture Series, Alex de Grassi, one of the world’s top finger-style, steel-string acoustic guitarists, will perform Tuesday, March 6 at 8 p.m. in the Alexander Fine Arts Center Main Theater.

Grammy nominated de Grassi brings a unique voice to the art of acoustic guitar with his evocative compositions and arrangements. The Wall Street Journal has described his playing as “flawless” and Billboard hails his “intricate finger-picking technique with an uncanny gift for melodic invention.” His playing weaves together melody, counter-melody, bass, harmony, rhythm and cross-rhythms creating a canvas of sound unheard of in a solo guitar performance.

Though largely self-taught, de Grassi briefly studied jazz with noted teacher Bill Thrasher while attending the University of California in Santa Barbara. Since embarking on a recording and concert career, he has continued to study classical and jazz guitar. In the spring of 2006, de Grassi was the first artist-in-residence at the nation’s first steel-string guitar degree program at the University of Milwaukee.

Funding for this event is provided by the West Virginia Commission on the Arts and the West Virginia Commission of Culture and History.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $2 for non-Concord students.

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY NOTES: Persons with disabilities should contact Nancy Ellison, 1-304-384-6086 or 1-800-344-6679, extension 6086 if special assistance or help is required for access to an event scheduled by the University on campus.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Carolyn Dillard, a student in Concord University’s communication arts department wrote this press release. Her hometown is Williamson.