RICHARD GILEWITZ - Once touted
as one of the strangest men in acoustic music by Spectrum Magazine, fingerstyle
guitarist Richard Gilewitz lives up to this depiction with his rousing
performances filled with amazing chops, humor, and a history of the acoustic
guitar from blues to folk, traditional to classical and somewhere in between.
States Spectrum, “Much of the charm of a Gilewitz performance is in the stories
he tells. He wondered aloud to the audience how many ducks he could take out in
a fight if he were to be attacked by a flock of the sneaky waterfowl.”
Recognized in the international field as a musician who composes and performs a
kaleidoscopic mixture of instrumental selections, Richard forges a unique voice
to include the expanse of his influences as his complex and energetic original
works become stories from the guitar. His use of banjo style picking patterns,
classical arpeggios, tapping and harmonics, as well as a rhythmic and percussive
approach, bring a fresh impression to the listener. According to 20th Century
Guitar Magazine, "A powerhouse of eclectic guitar styles and genres, Gilewitz
wears his influences well."
As a youngster, Richard embraced such diverse artists as The Beatles, Andres
Segovia, Kraftwerk, Leo Kottke, J.S. Bach, Arlo Guthrie, John Fahey and Flatt &
Scruggs. Soaking up the wealth of inspiration supplied by the assorted acts
featured at the Renfro Valley festivals, "The Dr. Demento Radio Show" and "The
Midnight Special", Richard welcomed the challenge of mastering and adapting many
styles of music for the acoustic guitar -- a trait that continually places him
among a multitude of genres.
Richard began honing his skills both as a performer and composer during the late
1970’s at the University of Alabama, playing the local coffeehouse circuit while
pursing degrees in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Music. Following
graduation, Richard placed his musical calling in the background and joined the
world of flight simulation design, telemetry and satellite systems. Soon the
pull of his passion for performing and recording was so compelling that Richard
left corporate life to teach and perform full time in a career that has
propelled him across countless countries worldwide.
The 1980’s brought Richard to Florida where he released his first LP recording,
Somewhere In Between. He has released six more recordings, Voluntary Solitary,
Synapse Collapse, The Music of David Walbert, Thumbsing, Live at 2nd Street
Theater, and Strings for a Season, plus instructional guitar videos, an
interactive CDRom and self produced solo instrumental collections. Collaborating
with Mel Bay Publications, Richard has released Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar
Workshop, a book based on his guitar workshops, along with a DVD of “All Time
Favorite Fingerstyle Guitar Tunes”. His interactive CDROM, “Fingerscapes” is
available through TrueFire.
Aptly named as one of the “Men of Steel” by Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine, Richard
regularly fascinates his audiences with fingerstyle gymnastics while spinning
yarns too unbelievable not to be true. In addition to his concert performances
and recording sessions, he presents instructional guitar and sound reinforcement
seminars worldwide, bringing a vast experience of teaching and touring to
listeners of all ages and players of all levels. Based on Richard's eclectic
mixture of stylistic approaches to the acoustic guitar, he offers substantial
insights and amusing takes on fingerpicking patterns as a "language" for 6 ad
12-string guitar. His “Meet the Artist Program” (Music in the Schools) for
primary, middle and high school students, and group seminar sessions for college
music departments, incorporates Richard’s vision that music is an art of many
spectrums.
Today, acknowledged as one of the most unique and humorous performers on the
contemporary acoustic scene, Richard is respected worldwide for his command of
the 6 and 12-string guitar. He continues to work on his craft under the
direction of classical guitarist David Walbert, who has studied with renowned
violinist Frances Magnes, and guitarists Gil de Jesus and Sophocles Papas.
Richard is also a contributing writer for Mel Bay Publications on-line magazine,
Guitar Sessions®, Singer & Musician, Fingerstyle Guitar, and for a number of
trade magazines and industry blogs. International Public Radio fans often sample
Richard’s wit and zany outlook on life on syndicated shows such as RTE Lyric
Radio of Ireland, BBC radio of Northern Ireland, BBC Orkney, National Radio New
Zealand, as well as numerous local radio shows in America.
But it is his live shows that bring out the best in this artist who follows a
distinct cadence that creates a glow that continually grows a little brighter
with each tune. “Gilewitz fingerpicked with such graceful facility and
improvised so intelligently that he is a guitarist to follow here,” observes The
Washington Post. Whether playing solo, conducting guitar seminars and school
programs, or sharing the stage with fellow performers, Richard Gilewitz always
creates a sparkle of mood mastery and wonderment.
Richard has appeared in concert with:
Brooks Williams / The California Guitar Trio / Richard Thompson / Warren Zevon /
Mose Allison /John Fahey / Leo Kottke / John Prine / Norman Blake / Kenny G /
Adrian Legg / The Little River Band / David Bromberg / Taj Mahal / Greg Brown /
John Hammond / Steve Morse / Patty Larkin / The Indigo Girls / Joe Ely / Rory
Block / America / Mike Cross / Sonny Landreth / Maria Muldaur / Jane Siberry /
Loudon Wainwright III / Lucinda Williams / Jorma Kaukonen
