Mandolin World Summit

[Larry S Sherman]

On Sunday my friend Mario and my mandolin instructor Michael (http://www.nixworks.com/mnixb.html) embarked on a field trip to the Mandolin World Summit at Roger Williams University. Although the event's name was a little tongue in cheek, it did feature wold class mandolin talent (Marilynn Mair, Paulo Sa, and Radim Zenkl), along with workshops that were worth the drive all by themselves.

The workshops were first, and I got to meet some great people. There's nothing like striking up a conversation over an open mandolin case. Pete showed me his varnished Smith Creek:

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Here's a nice person with a nice Gibson Dola:

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There was a nice mix of guitars, mandolins, bandolims, mandocellos, mandolas, and some that I couldn't ID:

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2byfc/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/003_group.jpg

[Larry S Sherman]

Michael and Mark ran through some choros before the workshops began:

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When Paulo's workshop began he played Pixinguinha's Cochichando for us:

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Paulo was great at illustrating the tricks and rhythms that bring Choro to life:

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[Larry S Sherman]

The crowd ate up every word:

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Radim's workshop was on the traditional music of the Czech and Slovak Republic. He gave us some scales and chord suggestions, and we had fun improvising over the rhythm:

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After a lunch break we returned to a packed house for the concert. We could have easily filled a bigger hall, and everyone was on the edge of their seats (those lucky enough to have seats). Radim, Marilyn, and Paulo played in various combinations.

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[Larry S Sherman]

Radim demonstrated some traditional Czech flute techniques:

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Robert joined in on bass:

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2byfc/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/011_radim_marilyn.jpg

Radim and Paulo played "Samba de Orfeo", in which they traded improvised phrases that blew us all away. Completely amazing!

Radim also played "Spring Break", from Tone Poets. His technique is amazing. It was also interesting seeing his Capek mando, with the extra wide neck for his extra big hands. He mentioned that it was tricky getting used to the skinny neck of the Loar for Tone Poets. He is obviously in love with the mandolin, and described how much he liked his new Jazzbo mandos (he ordered two), and really liked a 4-string cello guitar ("Big Red") from luthier Joel Eckhaus. (http://www.earnestinstruments.com)

Joel had many of his instruments on display in the lobby, and Radim put a few through their paces after the show. My favorite was this Selmer style tenor:

http://www.earnestinstruments.com/jpgs/selma.jpg

[Larry S Sherman]

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Thanks to everyone I met for being so cool. If you missed it this time you may want to check out the American Guitar and Mandolin Summer School (http://www.marilynnmair.com/amguss.shtml) (AMGuss) June 26-30, which will feature Radim and Marilyn.

Here's a link to a short video clip (http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2byfc/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/mvi_0609.avi)if you're interested.

Larry

[barricwiley]

WOW!
Richard