Schedule / Past Festivals

Alex de Grassi + James Blackshaw

 One of the top fingerstyle, steel-string guitarists, Grammy nominee Alex de Grassi is renowned for his impeccable technique and compelling compositions. He’s explored a variety of world music influences and drawn acclaim for his 14 recordings on Windham Hill and other labels. He presents his original score for Chaplin’s 1918 masterpiece Shoulder Arms.

James Blackshaw, Max Ochs, Ben Hall + Nick Jonah Davis

An evening of exquisite solo finger-style guitar, assembled by New York City's Tompkins Square label, a leading purveyor of acoustic guitar music. The Village Voice called the label’s three-volume ‘Imaginational Anthem’ series “the gold standard for guitar nerds.”  Ben Hall and Nick Jonah Davis will be making their first-ever New York performances.

Celebrating One Hundred Years of Django Rheinhardt

The great Gypsy Swing guitar player would have been 100 years on January 23rd of this year. To celebrate, some of the best gypsy swing guitar player in the world are throwing a massive jam session at Barbès. Featuring Maie Bittel, Biel Ballester, John Intrator, Babik and Stephane Wrembel. Concerts will be preceded by workshops; 1:30 pm : Maie Bittel, 3:15 pm: Babik, 5 pm: Biel Ballester.

Charlie Chaplin’s One A.M. and Easy Street + Buster Keaton’s Cops w/ Music by Bon Iver's Justin Vernon + Steve Kimock

Bon Iver is the nom-de-guerre of musician Justin Vernon. His album For Emma, Forever Ago was a critical and commercial hit, making him one of the most talked-about indie artists of 2008. For his scores to One A.M.

Charlie Chaplin’s The Immigrant + The Kid with music by David Bromberg + Marc Ribot

2008 Grammy nominee David Bromberg is known for his eclectic combination of blues, bluegrass, jazz, folk, country, and rock.  He’s recorded and performed with Reverend Gary Davis, Jorma Kaukonen, Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan and George Harrison among others and is presenting the premiere of newly commissioned music for Charlie Chaplin’s 1917 The Immigrant.

Opening Night of our 2010 Festival…and it’s free!

Slide guitarist Debashish Bhattacharya, and his tabla-playing his brother Subashish will present an evening of Hindustani guitar music. This Grammy-nominated artist is one of India’s most esteemed musicians and has performed with musicians such as Derek Trucks, Jerry Douglas and John McLaughlin.

. . . come have a drink with us at the Lakeside Lounge

To conclude a dizzying three weeks of ‘guitarded’ (as Bill Frisell likes to say) behavior we invite you to come lift a pint of Brooklyn Lager with us at The Lakeside Lounge. This Alphabet City tavern sports a vintage black & white Asbury Park photo booth, and one of the best jukeboxes in the city (with lots vintage vinyl cut to cd).

Jorma Kaukonen, Jim Lauderdale, Teddy Thompson, Larry Campbell, Ollabelle, The Yearlings, and friends.

Over thirty years ago Lefty Frizell left us with a legacy of country music that inspired generations of singers and songwriters. Merle Haggard, Roy Orbison and Willie Nelson among others claim lineage to this early country and rockabilly legend. Lefty’s sound continues to be imitated today as we reinvent this legendary music on the concert stage.

Referred to as “one of the contemporary guitar’s most gifted stars” by Classical Guitar magazine, Michael Nicolella is recognized as one of America's most innovative classical guitarists.

Teddy Thompson

When Teddy Thompson, whose parents are British folk-rock legends Richard and Linda Thompson, released his 2005 Separate Ways, the Times of London exclaimed, "not since Jackson Browne issued from 1970s California a succession of mournful masterpieces has a songwriter so completely nailed the sense that, in every celebration, the sense of imminent regret hovers... Brilliant..".

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