The merging of an ageless classical instrument and the twenty-first century has found life in the person of guitarist Benjamin Beirs. Trained as a classical guitarist at Peabody Conservatory by Julian Gray, he has among other things performed a concerto with the Buffalo Philharmonic and appeared at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - yet he is oh-so-much more. A singer, songwriter, teacher and composer, you can find him almost anywhere from the concert stage to an elementary school, playing to a most diverse and appreciative audience.
Renowned guitarist Martha Masters describes him as “a truly gifted musician who deserves to be heard, and one who has a great future in music.” Whether he is performing the Castelnuovo-Tedesco Concerto in D Major, the rags of Scott Joplin, a song by Nick Drake, or his own pop sensation, “Live to Love”, Benjamin Beirs is the quintessence of the modern musician, open to any great musical idea.
Mr. Beirs believes in music as a “great kindness” – one that has helped him immensely in his own life, but just as importantly, one which helps others. In addition to teaching and performing, he frequently performs outreach in various settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.
His Duo Transatlantique with the virtuosic French guitarist Maud Laforest has established his young career on two continents already with performances in England, and France as well as North America. Covering a concert by the Duo, the French newspaper, Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace said, “In pieces by Bach, Haendel or Manuel de Falla, their fingers moved with an almost magical agility. Never was an extraneous sound heard, such as strings left too soon or buzzed, and yet they played purely unamplified in a hall bathed by a religious silence.”
Living in different musical worlds is the big challenge for Mr. Beirs these days. "Lately, I've been asked if I'm quitting the classical guitar to do popular music. I think there's an attitude that it's one or the other in both popular and classical music worlds. Thankfully, I'm finding that each style informs the other and helps me to feel like I'm doing something fresh and authentic.” The difficulties of maintaining a classical career while writing songs and improvising seem manageable to this 25 year-old phenomenon. He is most definitely a musician to watch.
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Benjamin,thanks for the add and the great guitar playing. I really enjoyed listening to your tracks. Regards and stop by for a listen. All the best, Nick
