Herschel Freeman Agency

California Fingerstyle Guitar


San Francisco guitar poet Brian Gore is gaining a reputation as one of the most interesting and influential performers of "the next generation" in fingerstyle guitar. A musical romantic, his compositions draw inspiration from myth and modern literature. Hailed as having "...one of the most unique new acoustic guitar styles on the scene today (News and Review)," his lyrical, understated compositions integrate classical and percussive techniques that display what the Los Angeles Times calls "a characterful bounce and spaciousness all his own."

Brian's new project is called "Santa Cruz In Song And Image," a multi-media show that will be available as an enhanced iBook plus a CD and DVD. Inspired by a year living in the mountains outside Santa Cruz CA, Brian wrote a series of songs on an acoustic guitar made by local luthier Carter-Poulsen, and enlisted renowned illustrator Bill Russell to convey the songs in impressionistic images.

Gore’s style of playing offers strikingly beautiful tone and dynamics-- qualities that are often hard to find in steel string players. His melodic, evocative songs rely heavily on the use of open tunings, extending the “stream of consciousness” style of guitar composing he grew up with in Northern California. “Music started out as a kind of therapy for me,” says Gore. “Consequently, I am a very emotional player. Now, my style of playing has also become a well honed craft. I am very grateful I can share this with people.”

Brian GoreHis buoyant personality and odd sense of humor help add lightness to his shows. “By the time I’m done with a performance,” explains Gore, “people really know the meaning of the term ‘extroverted introvert’.” While Gore integrates some of the flashier percussive techniques into his pieces, the poetic quality of his music is preserved. “Because my music is simple and somewhat rootsy, it’s easy to relate to, which is something I’m thankful for. Also, it helps keep me grounded.”

Gore's first CD, produced by Peppino D’Agostino, is called The Path of Least Resistance. His second CD, Legacy: Solo Guitar and Duets, is available on Germany’s Acoustic Music Records Label. His music has been featured on NPR’s nationally syndicated Echoes Radio, and many other local public radio programs.

Brian founded The International Guitar Night in 1995 as a forum for the world's finest guitarists/composers to play their latest original songs and share musical ideas with their peers in public concert. This has evolved into critically acclaimed annual tours in the US (starting in 2000), Canada (starting in 2006) and the UK (starting in 2007), a CD on Favored Nations Records released in 2004, a guitar instruction book published in 2005, and IGN releases on Warner Music Canada.

"Brian Gore's strong, well developed melodies and intriguing chord sequences set him apart from the myriad of steel-string fingerstylists who compose in open tunings. His finely crafted poetic "songs without words" take the listener on a spellbinding emotional ride.”
--Ron Forbes Roberts, Acoustic Guitar Magazine

“An artist of the highest caliber.”
--Ray Toumey, the Boulder Chautauqua

 

Press Photos

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Tour Schedule


With "Santa Cruz In Song And Image"


2012

September 6  Kuumbwa Jazz Club, Santa Cruz CA

With International Guitar Night

2012

November 1 Evergreen Cutlural Centre, Coquitlam BC
November 2 Port Theatre, Nanaimo BC
November 3 Capilano College, N. Vancouver BC
November 4 Farquahr Hall, Victoria BC
November 8 Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff AB
November 9 Bert Church Auditorium, Airdrie AB
November 10 Empress Theatre, Ft. MacLeod AB
November 12 Hugh's Room, Toronto ON
November 15 Salle Alec et Gerard Pelletier, Sutton QC
November 16 Shenkman Hall, Ottawa ON
November 17 Palais Montcalm, Quebec City QC
November 21 St. Elias Centre, Haines Junction YT
November 23 Yukon Arts Centre, Whitehorse YT

2013

January 12 Natick Arts Center, Natick MA
January 13 Infinity Hall, Norfolk CT
January 16 Highline Ballroom, New York NY
January 17 Wolf Trap Barns, Vienna VA
January 19 Gordon Center, Owings Mills MD
January 20 Calvary Center, Philadelphia PA
January 22 Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad CA
January 23 Livermore Performing Arts Center, Livermore CA
January 24 Napa Valley Opera House, Napa CA
January 25 3 Stages at Folsom Lakes College, Folsom CA
January 26 Brava Theater, San Francisco CA
January 27 Musical Instrument Museum, Phoeniz AZ
February 3 Lincoln Theater, Mt. Vernon WA
February 6 Edmonds Performing Arts Center, Edmonds WA
February 7 Panida Tehatre, Sandpoint ID
February 8 Whitefish Theatre, Whitefish MT
February 9 Hamilton Performing Arts Center, Hamilton MT
February 10 Ellen Theater, Bozeman MT
February 13 The Ark, Ann Arbor MI
February 15 Manchester Craftsmen Guild, Pittsburgh PA
February 20 Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis MN
February 22 Dana Center, Saint Anselm College, Manchester NH

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