Schedule

After celebrating its 25th anniversary last year, the New York Guitar Festival was ready for a new challenge – and here it is: two free evenings at one of New York City’s most iconic outdoor spaces, Bryant Park.  “Think global, act local,” the saying goes, and the NYGF has done just that, putting together an eclectic night of guitar music from various parts of the world on July 3, as well a celebration of America’s own rich blues tradition on July 4.  Guests range from the well-known, like Louis Cato, leader of The Late Show Band, to the emerging, like the 16-year old phenom Marel Hidalgo.   Both events will be hosted by John Schaefer, host of WNYC’s New Sounds.  

Thursday, July 3 lineup:

Marel Hidalgo may not be old enough to shave, but he is a grizzled veteran as a guitarist.  He formed his first band and gigged widely in his native New Jersey when he was six years old, creating his won blend of jazz and Latin/Caribbean music.  His current project is a tribute to the legendary Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin, who helped define the sounds of Jamaican ska and reggae in the 1960s. 

Big Lazy plays a kind of “Downtown Manhattan noir” that blends the spacious, cinematic sounds of spaghetti western soundtracks with the smoky vibes of cramped New York City clubs.  Comprised of Stephen Ulrich on guitar, Yuval Lion on drums, and Andrew Hall on bass, Big Lazy’s music has been a favorite of music supervisors for both TV and film.

Pedro Cortes is a third generation flamenco guitarist from a Spanish gypsy family.  He leads his own flamenco group, but for his NYGF performance he will partner with two veteran artists now based in New York: singer Ismael Fernandez and dancer Sonia Olla, who have together brought the flamenco tradition to venues and audiences around the city.   Percussionist Jose Moreno will round out the ensemble dedicated to bringing the fiery, passionate sounds of flamenco to Bryant Park.