FVAGF
ARTIST BIOS
2007
Michael Chapdelaine
Michael Chapdelaine is the only guitarist ever to win First Prize in the world's top competitions in both the Classical and Fingerstyle genres; the Guitar Foundation of America International Classical Guitar Competition and the National Fingerstyle Championships at the Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival in Winfield, Kansas. From New York's Lincoln Center to the Cactus Cafe in Austin, from Milano to Bangkok, Michael continues to enchant, dazzle and surprise audiences and critics alike as he redefines the modern acoustic guitar with his amazing technique, "soulful" expressiveness, and versatility as a performer, composer and arranger/producer. His performances, played on both steel string and classical guitars, include musical styles ranging from blues to Bach to country to rhythm n' blues as he wins his audiences hearts with breath taking technique and the poetic magic of his original musical portraits and landscapes.
In the 80's and 90's Michael proved himself to be one of the world's finest classical guitarists; twice winning the coveted National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Grant, and taking First Prize in both the Guitar Foundation of America's and the Music Teachers National Association's Guitar Competitions. He also won the Silver Medal in Venezuela's VIII Concurso International de Guitarra "Alirio Diaz". He has toured four continents while giving hundreds of performances for Affiliate Artists Inc., and various arts promotion organizations
In 1992 he recorded the Sonata Romantica CD, (now re-released as "Mexico"), which many critics and connoisseurs of classical guitar consider to be one of the definitive recordings for the instrument. Acoustic Guitar magazine wrote "... if I were marooned on a desert island with a limited selection of recordings, this one would be among my choices...I have seldom heard a more beautiful album. Other young guitarists have excellent technique, but few have such style and musicality, and Chapdelaine's beautiful tone is the nearest to Segovia's that I can recall." In 1994 Michael turned his attention to pop music, in arranging, producing and recording Time-Life Music's beautiful Guitar by Moonlight collection (also released as "with love"), which sold 250,000 copies in its first two years in the stores. In 1998, he once again, expanded his musical range and gained instant notoriety and credibility in the "acoustic music" world as a "fingerstyle" guitarist and composer, by winning the National Fingerpicking Championships at Winfield.
Michael is Professor of Music and head of guitar studies at the University of New Mexico, and has previously been on the faculties of the University of Colorado at Denver and Metropolitan State University. He has given masterclasses throughout the world including, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Peru, Venezuela, Taiwan, Indonesia and at institutions such as, University of Miami, Mannes School of Music, University of Texas, and California State University. His teachers included the great Spanish maestro Andres Segovia.
For more information, please visit: http://www.michaelchapdelaine.com
Don Alder
Don Alder plays acoustic fingerstyle guitar with a passion that has quickly earned him a reputation as Vancouver's "best kept little secret" his inimitable style carries on the acoustic tradition of greats like Tommy Emmanuel, Don Ross, Michael Hedges and Pierre Bensusan. Don is a world class fingerstyle guitarist with a "wow factor" that has led to endorsement deals with 5 world class manufacturers and collaboration with Greenfield guitars to produce a signature acoustic guitar "Don Alder G4" model. www.greenfieldguitars.com. In 2007 Ayers Guitars from Asia will be in production creating a Don Alder model for the international marketplace.
In 1985, he put his music career on hold to assist his lifelong friend, Rick Hansen, with his quest to create awareness for the potential of people with disabilities and to generate funds for spinal cord research. The World Tour (www.RickHansen.com), inspired millions of people throughout the 34 countries visited and raised 24 million dollars. Today, Don still works with Rick in a vital role at the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation, which has had an impact of over 187 million dollars in the field of spinal cord injury. Don says he got involved with the Foundation to "help make a difference" in improving the quality of life of others and now continues to do so with his music.
Don's live performances are awe-inspiring. He took 2nd place at the prestigious 2006 Winfield, Kansas International Fingerstyle championships making him the first acoustic guitarist from B.C. to ever place. He also has won "Best Instrumental" at the Winfield Song Showcase for the last 3 years. You can find a variety of videos of Don's music on youtube.com. His recent Harpguitar piece has seen around 39,000 views to date.
He continues to play to Canadian, American, European, and Asian audiences, sharing stages with Grand Master Acousticians such as Peter Finger, Jacques Stotzem, Andy Mckee and Masa Sumide. He has also performed at festivals as a headliner which included artists such as Don Ross, Pierre Bensusan, Del Vazeau, Ric Emmet, and Dave Martone.
For more information, please visit: http://www.donalder.com
Cantango
Saxophonist Mike Spindloe arrived in Vancouver from Saskatoon in mid-2003 and since then has steadily established himself as part of the Vancouver scene. He is currently a member of the six-piece retro-swing group Cheap Suit Big Tie, the Brazilian/Cuban ensemble Mistura Fina and the 4Ground Saxophone Quartet, and even does the occasional coffee-house performance as a solo singer/guitarist. While in Saskatoon, Mike was alto saxophonist for the Saskatoon Saxophone Quartet for nine years and performed with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra as well as many other ensembles. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Saxophone Performance in 1991 from the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
Guitarist Martin Nemcovsky moved to Vancouver from his native Rosario, Argentina in 2003, where he recorded two CDs of jazz with his partner Carlos Gantus under the name Jazz Friends, performed at the 2000 International Tango Summit with Cacho Tirao (Astor Piazzolla’s guitarist) and worked as a session guitarist and arranger, and teacher of guitar. Since moving to Vancouver, he has focused primarily on private teaching, with Cantango marking a return to regular performance and recording. His extensive musical education includes private guitar studies with Armando Alonso in Buenos Aires, a Degree in Music Pedagogy from the Municipal Conservatory of Music in Rosario and a Diploma in Orchestration and Composition from the Superior Institute of Art in Havana, Cuba, where he studied in 1992-93.
Kent Hillman
Kent Hillman has studied, performed and taught fingerstyle guitar for over 35 years. The influences of Lenny Breau and Chet Atkins along with many jazz pianists can be heard in his performances and arrangements. His debut CD “Bijoux – Moving Pictures for Guitar” was released in May 2005 to critical acclaim.
“… rich harmonic ideas and jazzy digressions that inform Hillman’s arrangements…. this eclectic program of material is bound together by Hillman’s consistently masterful and expressive guitar work.” Acoustic Guitar Magazine
Kent is a frequent teacher and performer at music camps in the Pacific Northwest and plays casual engagements around Vancouver British Columbia.
Andre Thibault
Andre Thibault is a brilliant guitarist, whose fiery rhythms and stunning technique are drawn from a unique blend of Flamenco and Moorish traditions coloured with jazz, classical, and world music. Andre is equally at home on a wide variety of stringed instruments, flutes and percussive instruments collected from around the world.
Montreal-born and raised, Andre has been a key player on the West Coast world-music scene for more than 20 years. He has participated in many award-winning projects. In addition to numerous individual projects and collaborations, Andre currently performs with the innovative Jou Tou and Silk Road Music, where his many instruments add new sounds and colour to their repertoire.
Andre has performed extensively throughout the world; he creates an instant rapport with his audiences through his love of music, his virtuosity and his sense of humour.
For more information, please visit: http://silkroadmusic.ca