The String Sampler Concert Series, promoting musical diversity and stringed-instrumental artistry, is an annual event presented by the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase, an international acoustic guitar and stringed-instrument makers’ festival. This year’s Ninth Annual Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase takes place October 27, 28 & 29, 2017 at the Bearsville Theater, Utopia Soundstage and environs in Woodstock, New York. www.woodstockinvitational.com
JULIAN LAGE & CHRIS ELDRIDGE On Mount Royal, their 2017 release on Free Dirt Records, Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge craft songs that sound familiar but are never easily classified. The Grammy-nominated Lage has been highly regarded in jazz and new music circles for his own work as well as for his collaborations with such artists as Nels Cline, Fred Hersch, Gary Burton, and Jim Hall, to name a few. Fellow Grammy-nominee Eldridge, an Oberlin Conservatory grad who studied with bluegrass guitar legend Tony Rice, is equally noted in the progressive bluegrass world for his stints with The Seldom Scene and The Infamous Stringdusters, which led to his joining Chris Thile’s adventurous quintet, Punch Brothers. www.lageeldridge.com
SIMON SHAHEEN TRIO Simon Shaheen dazzles his listeners as he deftly leaps from traditional Arabic sounds to jazz, Flamenco and Western classical styles. His soaring technique, melodic ingenuity and unparalleled grace have earned him international acclaim as a virtuoso on the 'oud and violin. Shaheen is one of the most significant Arab musicians, performers and composers of his generation. He will be accompanied by Firas Zreik on the Arabic qanun, an 80-string plucked lap zither, and Tareq Rantisi, a world-renowned percussionist. www.simonshaheen.com
WOODY MANN Among guitarists and critics, Woody Mann is considered a modern master with his own contemporary improvisational style. While the blues are his touchstone, he seems to draw inspiration from every direction with ease and grace. Mann has pursued a rich and diverse career, performing everywhere from the orchestra pits of Broadway to stages worldwide, recorded extensively and schooled countless guitarists through his many books and DVDs. www.woodymann.com
