MONROE - Although hailing from opposite ends of the world, guitar masters Loren Barrigar from Nashville, Tennessee, and Mark Mazengarb from New Zealand, share a unique musical chemistry and stage presence seldom found among musicians, according to a Monroe Arts Center news release.
Their diverse repertoire of original and arranged music consists of stunning guitar instrumentals as well as vocal duets can be experienced at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Monroe Arts Center's Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall, 1315 11th St.
Influenced by Americana, jazz, country western, and classical music, Barrigar and Mazengarb's unique style of guitar playing is largely built upon the thumb-picking techniques pioneered by guitar greats Merle Travis and Chet Atkins, and their songs feature Barrigar's vocals with harmonies from Mazengarb. Their live performances feature not only their technical grasp of the guitar but also their musicality and ability to be spontaneously creative. The interaction between the two musicians is as much a feature of their shows as is their world-class guitar playing.
They first met in 2005 when they spent a few days working with Australian guitarist and songwriter Tommy Emmanuel during a guitar camp in Ohio. Mazengarb was in college completing his degree in classical guitar at the University of North Carolina; Barrigar was already a seasoned performer, but it was his first serious look at acoustic guitar. After the workshop, Mazengarb visited Barrigar and they spent some time picking guitar - and picking each other's brains.
In 2009, they met again in Nashville at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention, an international gathering of hundreds of guitarists. That set the stage for the 2010 convention where they were on the scheduled list of performers. Though they were not originally listed to play during the big Saturday night finale, they were added to the show due to popular demand from those who heard them throughout the week.
Barrigar and Mazengarb have toured extensively in both the U.S. and in Europe, and their fan base is rapidly expanding. In the summer of 2011, they recorded their first album together, which won a Syracuse Area Music Award for Best Album at the Northeast Music Industry Conference. Their second album "Onward" also won a SAMMY. This album's title track won first place at the International Acoustic Music Awards for Best Instrumental. Their third and newest album as a duo titled "One-to-One" was recorded in Nashville.
Reserved seat tickets are $25 and $20 for adults and $10 for students 18 and under. Tickets may be purchased at the box office at 1315 11th St., by calling 608-325-5700 or online at monroeartscenter.com. For additional information, contact Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700.
This concert is supported by corporate underwriter Colony Brands Inc. and media underwriters Monroe Publishing LLC and Big Radio. Additional support is provided by David and Julie Buchanan; Chuck and Chris Wellington; Hans and Bobbie Bernet; Harvey and Patty Kubly; Jim and Judy Munro; Tom and Sue Nelson; and Wisconsin Bank & Trust.
Their diverse repertoire of original and arranged music consists of stunning guitar instrumentals as well as vocal duets can be experienced at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Monroe Arts Center's Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall, 1315 11th St.
Influenced by Americana, jazz, country western, and classical music, Barrigar and Mazengarb's unique style of guitar playing is largely built upon the thumb-picking techniques pioneered by guitar greats Merle Travis and Chet Atkins, and their songs feature Barrigar's vocals with harmonies from Mazengarb. Their live performances feature not only their technical grasp of the guitar but also their musicality and ability to be spontaneously creative. The interaction between the two musicians is as much a feature of their shows as is their world-class guitar playing.
They first met in 2005 when they spent a few days working with Australian guitarist and songwriter Tommy Emmanuel during a guitar camp in Ohio. Mazengarb was in college completing his degree in classical guitar at the University of North Carolina; Barrigar was already a seasoned performer, but it was his first serious look at acoustic guitar. After the workshop, Mazengarb visited Barrigar and they spent some time picking guitar - and picking each other's brains.
In 2009, they met again in Nashville at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention, an international gathering of hundreds of guitarists. That set the stage for the 2010 convention where they were on the scheduled list of performers. Though they were not originally listed to play during the big Saturday night finale, they were added to the show due to popular demand from those who heard them throughout the week.
Barrigar and Mazengarb have toured extensively in both the U.S. and in Europe, and their fan base is rapidly expanding. In the summer of 2011, they recorded their first album together, which won a Syracuse Area Music Award for Best Album at the Northeast Music Industry Conference. Their second album "Onward" also won a SAMMY. This album's title track won first place at the International Acoustic Music Awards for Best Instrumental. Their third and newest album as a duo titled "One-to-One" was recorded in Nashville.
Reserved seat tickets are $25 and $20 for adults and $10 for students 18 and under. Tickets may be purchased at the box office at 1315 11th St., by calling 608-325-5700 or online at monroeartscenter.com. For additional information, contact Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700.
This concert is supported by corporate underwriter Colony Brands Inc. and media underwriters Monroe Publishing LLC and Big Radio. Additional support is provided by David and Julie Buchanan; Chuck and Chris Wellington; Hans and Bobbie Bernet; Harvey and Patty Kubly; Jim and Judy Munro; Tom and Sue Nelson; and Wisconsin Bank & Trust.