Valérie Duchâteau was able to find a totally new way in the classical guitar genre, as well in her educational work, in her performance, her arrangements for guitar or her compositions. Her interests in music are versatile, she brilliantly plays the classical guitar as well as Flamenco. In France she became very famous with arrangements of songs of the chansonniere “Barbara”.

Sabine Kühlich, winner of last year’s SHURE Vocal Competition in Montreux, and Adam Rafferty, a guitar virtuoso from New York, are going public as a new duo under the heading: Pop up Jazz! They leave no style unturned, from Sonny Rollins to the Eurythmix, in their pieces, they joyfully mix jazz, groove, percussion, sounds, bossa, pop and their own material.

Muriel became the first woman to win the “National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship” in Winfield, Kansas and is respected as one of the foremost fingerstyle guitarists in the world. Her show presents virtuous guitar music from Spanish Flamenco, Japanese koto up to Beatles tunes, as well as own compositons, amazing audiences with her technique and endearing them with her sense of humor.

Clive Carroll was recently described as “probably the best and most original young acoustic guitar player and composer in Britain” (Acoustic Guitar Magazine). Clive already played shows with Tommy Emmanuel and John Renbourn all over the world and in 2005 he collaborated with Renbourn on the Sony Picture Classics film,  “Driving Lessons”.

Martin Hegel was 14 years old when he began playing guitar, and two years later, already, he became a prizewinner at the national musical competition “Jugend musiziert” (“Young People Make Music”). He received his concert diploma with distinction in 2008. He was already making numerous radio recordings and had performed the famous “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Joaquin Rodrigo with the Berlin Symphony as well as the Osnabrück Symphony Orchestra.

This talented craftsman weaves together fascinating melodies in his artful compositions and arrangements, into which he then breathes life at his concerts with extraordinary sensitivity and discreet virtuosity. Even at first hearing, his music touches the listener, because rather than rely on technical artistry, he captivates his audience with his musical depth, expressive sound and Mediterranean warmth. Raffaella Luna’s wonderful voice and Morone’s harmonious guitar playing have only been heard together in a duo for a short while now.

Dave’s songs are personal and create vivid pictures of his life and his travels. In his music one hears elements of American roots, both folk and jazz. A very intense performer, often humorous, he is a consummate singer/songwriter, story teller and a jaw dropping guitarist.

World Accordion meets Fingerstyle Guitar
Manfred Leuchter- Ian Melrose Duo (D/GB/Iran)

Special guest: Afra Mussawisade (percussion)

Two internationally recognized virtuosos in different genres meet on a stage. Leuchter, the genial jazzician with an Arabic touch, and Melrose, one of the most important folk/acoustic guitarists in the Celtic realm, create a new musical fusion. The Iranian percussionist Afra Mussawisadeh will be the guest musician at the Open Strings.

Lineup: Zaza Miminoshvili (guitars) · Zurab J. Gagnidze (e-bass, vocals) · Mamuka Gaganidze (lead vocals, percussion) · David Shanidze (lead vocals) · Alexander Khizanihishvili (chonguri, duduki, salamuri, chiboni, chuniri, dance) · Goderdzi Khvitisiashvili (panduri, duduki) · Zviad Totiauri (lead duduki, doli, vocals) · David Skhirtladze (dance, doli)

The Shin call their new project “EgAri”, which translates as “That's It!” EgAri combines the traditional Georgian instrumental style with multi-part song and folk dancing. For the first time, all three of these elements will be presented in a version that is a delight for the eye and ear. EgAri is an unconventional mixture of old and new musical components, Caucasian and modern instruments, remarkable Georgian harmonic sequences and familiar jazz sounds.

Within a short while, the guitar duo “Hands On Strings” has played its way to the international crème de la crème. Thomas Fellow and Stephan Bormann, a virtuosic guitar soloist and an acoustic one-man band, have been thrilling audiences and critics alike with their concert programs full of contrasts. They do a masterful job celebrating their own music as well as their unique adaptations of the classics.

Julia Malischnig’s performance is imbued with a strong temperament and passion. She is a guitarist and vocalist who delves into all the possibilities of the guitar and song. Being at home in both classical music as well as world music, she finds her way to a distinctive style in her own compositions that reflects the broad spectrum of her possibilities of musical expression.

Giovanni Palombo, one of the leading Italian fingerstyle acoustic guitarists amalgamates Mediterranean melodies with impressionistic chords and jazzy improvisations. His compositions advance with majestic momentum, they are moving, playful, and surprise the listener with new turns of phrase that need to be discovered. Giovanni Palombo also works as a guitar teacher and as an author for the Italian trade magazine “Chitarre”.

Quique Sinesi and Carlos Dorado are known as leading modern guitar players of Argentina because of their personal style. Their music takes elements from Tango and Argentinean folklore and from various rhythms of South America. One also hears new elements from Jazz and Classical music. Sinesi and Dorado play mainly their own compositions, but also include famous compositions of the South American folklore.