Tony McManus

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To find a unique voice on so ubiquitous an instrument as the acoustic guitar is quite an achievement. To do so within a centuries old idiom where the instrument has no real history is truly remarkable. Scots born and now Canada based, Tony McManus has come to be recognized throughout the world as the leading guitarist in Celtic music. From early childhood his twin obsessions of traditional music and acoustic guitar have worked together to produce a startlingly original approach to this ancient art.

Through Tony's hands, the emotions of Celtic music are transferred to the guitar and the listener is drawn into the driving energy of a reel or the timeless atmosphere of a lament - each finding an authentic voice through his interpretation.That emotional connection lifts McManus's playing beyond mere virtuosity to a place where new listeners worldwide - from the Hebrides to Connemara and from Bogota to Tokyo - are won over to this music.

In addition to his five solo albums there have been groundbreaking recordings with musicians as diverse as Scots fiddler Alasdair Fraser, bluegrass legend Dan Crary, Italian guiitarist Beppe Gambetta and French bassist Alain Genty, among many other collaborations.

Whatever the context, Tony's presence is unique and driven by a passion for the music. His engaging personality on stage has taken him to five continents and his contribution was recently recognized with a Gold Medal voted by the readers of Acoustic Guitar magazine - fellow recipients were John Williams, Paco de Lucia and Tommy Emmanuel.

Tony's recording The Makers Mark (Compass, 2008) features solos on a roomful of the finest instruments currently being made. It has won universal acclaim even in the rock guitar press where jigs and reels would have been unheard of prior to its release. On this album, alongside his lifelong love of Scottish and Irish music, he explores harmonies from South Africa, the strange scales and rhythms of Eastern Europe and an achingly beautiful baroque madrigal from Claudio Monteverdi.

Since then, he has released an album of classical guitar pieces called Mysterious Boundaries (Compass, 2013) which forced him to look at his instrument in a new light and think in a completely different style. His most recent release is the duo recording Round Trip with Beppe Gambetta (Borealis, 2015). These two amazing musicians create a series of duets that not only demonstrate their individual virtuosity, but their innate ability to blend numerous musical traditions and styles producing stunning new music.

Whatever the source, the listener is engaged by a creative integrity. Tony truly is one of the most original musicians to emerge in recent years.

ACCOLADES

"Tony McManus is the best Celtic guitarist in the world" — John Renbourn

"Tony is the Jeff Beck of the acoustic guitar" — Paul Reed Smith, PRS Guitars

"McManus' playing is rave-worthy. Loaded with flawless ornamentations, most of which should only be attempted on a very well set-up fiddle, his playing is wild and delicate, passionate and tender" — Premier Guitar

"One of the 50 most transcendent acoustic guitarists." — Guitar Player Magazine

The Rogue Folk Club is pleased to provide great Sponsorship Opportunities for all our shows. For a nominal cost, individuals or businesses can sponsor any of our shows and reap a number of benefits - free tickets, reserved table, recognition on literature, our web site and at the concerts. For more information simply contact our Sponsorship Director Morris Biddle at mobiddley@me.com

Please note that the admission price for this concert includes a $1 Venue Improvement Fee that we are required by the St. James Square to collect from every patron. Starting in September 2016, the proceeds from this temporary fee will be used for construction projects such as air conditioning that will make the hall a nicer place for you to visit in the future. If you wish, you can make a secure donation of any amount over $5 (NOT $100 as it says) by clicking on the big blue button at the bottom of the page at www.sjcommunitysquare.org. For information on donating by phone or post, please contact the St. James Square office at 604-739-9373.