Hopkinson Smith. Ralph Towner. Hamza el Din. Paco De Lucia. Eleftheria Kotzia. Eric Clapton. Muddy Waters. Jeff Beck. Bill Frisell. Trilok Gurtu. Steve Tibbetts. Marc Anderson. Dawn Upshaw. Jordi Savall. Natalie Merchant. Marta Almajano & Jose Moreno. Yo Yo Ma. David Leisner. Pat O'Brien. Joey Paksis & Giggy. Seab Meador. Helen Bates.
For the most part, my life revolves around two things: Nature & Music. Nature comes first, of course, because without it there would be no music; music, however, is what I live for. My two main instruments are classical guitar and vihuela (I don't mean the Venezuelan vihuela; I mean the six course vihuela of Renaissance Spain). I also perform on Baroque guitar, lute and fool around with recorders. Frame drums are a passion with me and I occasioally succeed in playing myself into a trance with them. It's part of that inward journey that I believe all music is a vehicle for; indeed, my most profound spiritual experiences have occured while playing music. I try to share this ecstacy in performance and feel that performing music is a powerful healing experience, for both the audience and performer--but enough on the metaphysics of music for now. Suffice to say that, if you were to go deep into a forest, alone, and play the alto recorder for a little while, you'd get some idea of what I mean. At the very least, it should send chills up your spine.................
I began playing the cello when I was ten years old. In 1965, at the age of fourteen, I bought a guitar and spent the next twenty years playing the blues. In 1985, I devoted myself exclusively to classical guitar. Baroque guitar, lute and vihuela quickly followed. I spent three semesters as a music major in the New York City college system, have taken performance workshops at Julliard, and studied privately with Helen Bates for fifteen years. I am currently involved in ongoing early music studies with Pat O'Brien. I am always learning, and plan to continue my studies until my dying day. I have given recitals and performed in museums, galleries, cafes and restaurants, weddings and corporate affairs, from the Great Lakes to Amsterdam.
Nature is my inspiration and I spend my life seeking out beautiful places where I can revel in the free play of melody, harmony and rhythm in my inner ear. I camp and hike when I can. I believe it is foolish to expect that all my questions will be answered in dialogue with my fellow men and women; consequently, I look to the wilderness to teach me and show me the way. I look to my animal brothers and sisters for wisdom. But this is getting way too deep for a quick bio.
The Buddha's teachings guide me in my daily life; the guitar, the drum and the Earth lead me along my spiritual path; and music--well, music is My Reason For Being.
A BIG thank you to my friend Joey Hernandez for putting together the video; he is a perfect mix of kindness, generosity and boundless talent. He is the most musical man I know. Thank you, Joey.
I think that the flip flops must be a genetic trait too. Even in the snow you can find my dad and I running around in them and it is getting worse with my kids, they hardly ever even wear shoes. How are you doing? I had my second son on mother's day so I'm really busy, but grandpa sure is smitten! Tell everyone hi for me!
Frank, Met a guy at 'bushbaby' said he know you. Small world! Hope you're doing well. Give Helen my best. At some point we should get together and jam.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! Buon Natale from Italy !Bella la musica! I have a beautiful "regalo" how do you say... gift... for you, visit my website http://www.classicalguitarvideo.com Ciao, Daniele Magli
Hello Frank, Good to hear from you. My guitar is "Angelita" build by Dake Traphagen, she is one year old this month. The song I was playing is one of my favorites and most requested "Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring" by J.S. Bach. Hope to see you on the 18th.
Thanks Frank. You play beautifully. I always admire a multi-talented musician. You certainly fill the bill. Thanks for the comments. My vihuela is a Luciano Faria model just recently finished. You can hear it in my 1st track by Luis Milan of my forthcoming album. Anyways best wishes and much success to you!
