This show will feature Italy’s Luca Stricagnoli, Vietnam’s Thu Le, Brazil’s Marco Pereira, and Australia’s Minnie Marks. Additionally, this programming is partly supported by the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) and the National Endowment for the Arts.
International Guitar Night is the world’s premier touring guitar festival; each show brings together the most exciting and innovative acoustic guitarists to exchange musical ideas in a public concert setting. For each tour, IGN founder Brian Gore brings together a new cast of guitar luminaries for special evenings of solos, duets, and quartets highlighting the dexterity and diversity within the acoustic guitar world. Brian founded IGN in 1995 as a forum for the world’s finest guitarists/composers to play their latest original songs and share musical ideas and talent with their peers.
Luca Stricagnoli (Acoustic Rock Interpreter): Using up to five guitars in the same piece, modified capos, and self-conceived stratagems, Luca continually leaves his audiences in awe and wondering what’s next for the up-and-coming guitarist. In addition to his musical abilities, Luca brings an enthusiastic energy to the stage, making him a true entertainer.
With music videos surpassing over 100 million views, his latest invention—a custom Triple Neck Guitar—obtained once again viral success with over 40 million views online. His performances with this instrument have been featured in magazines everywhere and even grabbed the attention of famous bands such as “Red Hot Chili Peppers.” Luca has played in more than 20 countries and in front of audiences of up to 12,000 people.
Thu Le (Award-winning Classical Guitarist): Thu Le is an international award-winning classical guitarist and certified guitar teacher. Her love affair with the guitar began at four, thanks to her father, Le Hanh. She passed the entrance examination for the National Conservatory of Music, Hanoi, at only seven, making her the youngest student to be admitted to this prestigious establishment.
She hosts successful master classes across the globe and stays close to her cultural roots by performing regularly in Vietnam. Thu Le performs regularly at the famous Joaquin Rodrigo Guitar Festival in Spain and the renowned International Guitar Festival in Kolkata, India, and collaborates and performs with orchestras, string quartets, vocalists, violinists, flutists, and guitar duos.
Marco Pereira (Brazilian Composer, Guitarist & Professor): Marco Pereira is an internationally renowned Brazilian composer, guitarist, and university professor. He has performed and recorded with many famous Brazilian singers/composers like Tom Jobim, Milton Nascimento, Edu Lobo, Paulinho da Viola, Gilberto Gil, and Wagner Tiso. He has performed in North America on several occasions with International Guitar Night. His compositions and playing have won awards in important international contests, such as Spain’s Concurso Andrés Segóvia in Palma de Mallorca and Concurso Francisco Tárrega in Valencia. He has recorded over a dozen albums.
Minnie Marks (Blues Slide Guitarist & Singer): Performing globally, equipped with an old Goldtop and a revolutionary Farmer Foot Drum, Minnie Marks consistently pushes musical limits with her dynamic guitar wizardry and powerful voice. And, if that’s not enough, she simultaneously creates bone marrow-shaking grooves with spare limbs on her Foot Drum kit.
From winning the world-renowned ‘Bluesfest Busking Competition’ in 2011 to taking out the People’s Choice Award’ at both Blues At Bridgetown and Nannup Music Festival, plus earning the winning place of ‘Best Guitarist’ for the Open Arms Festival competition, Marks is no stranger on the block.