Half Moon Bay Review

Here’s the story for guitarist and Montara resident Mark Kostrzewa: “Local boy makes good by playing with some of the heavyweights in the acoustic guitar world,” he said.
He has every right to be chortling with glee, as the organizer of “A Meeting of Acoustic Minds.” Set for Saturday, July 13, the event will present a package of three of the most noteworthy and highly respected names in the world of acoustic guitar in concert — right in the Coastside’s backyard.

Due to begin at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, at the Old Princeton Landing in Princeton, the under-18-friendly concert promises to be memorable for all fans of acoustic guitar. It will feature Marin County guitarists Matthew Montfort and Steve Baughman along with Kostrzewa, rotating through an afternoon of solo and ensemble sets.
Viewers “can expect to see some very interesting and avant-garde acoustic instrumental guitar playing in a concert-style setting,” said Kostrzewa.
Montfort, known for his avant-garde use of the scalloped fretboard guitar and progressive Indian and Balinese stylings, has been recognized as one of the world’s 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com. He shares that distinction with guitar luminaries representing a wide range of musical styles, including Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, John Fahey, Merle Travis, John Renbourn, Doc Watson and more. The December 2009 Les Paul issue of Guitar Player magazine includes a full-page feature on him with an accompanying GuitarPlayer.com video lesson on “The Music of Jimi Hendrix Applied to Indian Raga.”
The leader of the world music/fusion group Ancient Future, Montfort is a pioneer among guitarists who have had their guitar fretboards scalloped so that they can play forms of world music that require intricate, note-bending ornamentation while at the same time maintaing the ability to play chords. Montfort released a solo recording, “Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar,” in 2009.
He has performed concerts worldwide, including at guitar festivals on the coast of Spain and in Mumbai, India. He has also performed live on national radio and television, and has worked with world music legends. His book “Ancient Traditions — Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India” has been widely used by musicians to improve their rhythm skills.
Baughman is primarily known for specializing in Appalachian, Celtic and music that reflects American roots. He is also well known for his clawhammer-style guitar playing, about which he has written several books along with multiple instructional guitar publications.
Kostrzewa is acknowledged on the Coastside as an outstanding acoustic instrumentalist. His first CD, “55 Miles,” was released four years ago and his second, “From Ear to There,” was released in January.
Kostrzewa had played with Baughman in venues in San Francisco and with Montfort at the Wine Bar, a cafe and music venue that had been located in Harbor Village. He had also run an acoustic guitar series at Cameron’s Restaurant and Inn, and was eager to create an extension of that series with these musicians performing in round-robin style.
“This is a huge honor for me,” Kostrzewa said. “I’m totally excited to get these two guys to come down Half Moon Bay way and to share a music event with them.”
Admission to the “Meeting of Acoustic Minds” is $10 in advance and $12 at the door, and children 12 and under are admitted free. For information, visit markkostrzewa.org or call the Old Princeton Landing at 728-7096.

Posted: Wednesday July 10, 2013
By: Stacy Trevenon