Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop and Festival kicks into high gear

The sixth annual Crown Guitar Workshop and Festival begins this week, bringing a masterful lineup of guitarists, rhythm musicians and singers to perform from Aug. 30 to Sept. 5 at Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork.

The Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation has announced that two new artists will be added to the week’s music roster. The John Zoltek Jazz Quartet will open for the Grammy-winning LA Guitar Quartet on Sunday, Aug. 30. As maestro of the Glacier Symphony and Chorale, Zoltek is usually seen with his baton and not a jazz guitar, but he is a long-time jazz guitarist and the quartet will perform several of his original pieces.

Also added to the lineup is India Carney, a recent finalist on the popular NBC show “The Voice,” who will sing at the final Crown Guitar Summer Celebration Series show on Aug. 29 at the Flathead Lake Brewing Co. Pubhouse in Bigfork (see highlight on page 3). She will also present a free public clinic, “Stage Presence for Guitarists,” on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 4 to 5 p.m. Admission is limited and must be reserved by calling 855-855-5900 in advance.

Seven nights of incredible music are on tap for the Crown Guitar Festival, featuring a star-studded lineup of artists in residence who will be teaching during the Crown Guitar Workshop. From the classical opening concert on Sunday night with the LA Guitar Quartet, to the Saturday night “Amazing Finale Extravaganza” featuring a host of Festival artists in residence and the superb Crown Faculty All-Stars, the week will offer some of the best guitarists backed up by world-renowned rhythm musicians.

Each Festival concert will feature two of the artists in residence who will play distinctly different styles of music. Because the artists have spent the week relaxing in the ambiance of the lodge, getting acquainted and becoming comfortable with each other they often invite fellow musicians to join them on stage and many spontaneous collaborations are born.

The Festival concerts are held on the Crown Festival Stage under a big top tent on the grounds of Flathead Lake Lodge, situated in a pastoral setting near the shore of Flathead Lake. Large projection screens amplify the stage action and a professional sound system makes every seat in the house first rate. Gates open each night at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. concert, allowing time for patrons to partake of food and beverages and enjoy the evening light along the lake before the music begins.

2015 Crown Festival Concerts 

Sunday, Aug. 30 — “World Classical” with the LA Guitar Quartet

The Grammy-winning, multi-faceted LAGQ plays worldwide to sold-out houses, performing classical, contemporary, Latin, Irish and world music. Opening for LAGQ will be the John Zoltek Jazz Quartet. Kicking off the show will be “King” Solomon Hicks, a blues/jazz phenom with real showmanship, musicality and soul.

Monday, Aug. 31 — John Herington and Madeleine Peyroux

Jon Herington, who has been Steely Dan’s lead guitarist since 2000, is also a guitarist, singer and songwriter for his own band and plays lead in the supergroup the Dukes of September. Opening the show will be Madeleine Peyroux, a jazz singer-songwriter whose voice and songs seamlessly fuse musical genres together, creating an entirely new sound.

Tuesday, Sept. 1 — Jazz Legend Lee Ritenour and Friends

Ritenour returns for his sixth year with his high-octane team of Melvin Davis on bass and Sonny Emory on drums. After 40 albums, hundreds of tours and thousands of recording sessions, Grammy-winner Ritenour’s eclectic and storied career is the stuff of legend. Opening for and joining Ritenour will be Academy-Award and multi-Grammy-winning pianist and composer Dave Grusin. Look for some surprise guest artists to join Ritenour on stage.

Wednesday, Sept. 2 — Brett Dennen and David Grissom

Dennen is a singer/songwriter sensation whose soulful voice is often compared to Tom Petty, Tracy Chapman and James Taylor. Dennen’s show, with his shaggy red hair, barefoot dancing, and that one-of-a-kind voice, is sure to get everyone moving.

Texas blues virtuoso David Grissom has performed with a ‘who’s who’ of blues and rock stars ranging from Lucinda Williams to Buddy Guy to John Mayhall and many more. He was honored for one of Guitar Player Magazine’s Top 50 “Badass Blues Solos.”

Thursday, Sept. 3 — Zappa Plays Zappa and Romero Lubambo

Grammy-winner Dweezil Zappa brings his full five-member Zappa Plays Zappa band with new original songs and rock/fusion interpretations of his father’s, the iconic Frank Zappa.

Reviewers describe Brazilian jazz master guitarist Lubambo as an uncommonly gifted soloist and musical improviser. His music unites the styles and rhythms of his native Brazil with the American jazz tradition.

Friday, Sept. 4 — Students’ Night on Stage

Workshop students will take the big stage to perform with faculty artists and the Crown All-Stars. The student showcase performance is free and open to the public.

Saturday, Sept. 5 — Amazing Finale Extravaganza

This family-friendly concert features the Crown Faculty All-Stars joining more than 15 of the Crown Festival artists in residence on stage in a show directed by Shane Theriot, lead guitarist for Hall and Oates and music director of the popular TV show “Live at Daryl’s House.” Performers will include Zappa and his five-member ZPZ band, Jon Herington, Madeleine Peyroux, Brett Dennen, David Grissom, Romero Lubambo, Solomon Hicks, John Dearman of LAGQ and Berklee professor of guitar and performing jazz/fusion musician, and Tim Miller.

Gates for Saturday’s show open at 4 p.m. for food, wine, beer and outdoor music provided by selected scholarship students and the professional guitarists. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

Tickets for all events are now on sale at www.crownguitarfest.tix.com. Individual concert tickets are priced at $35 with the option of a 10-percent discount with the purchase of a Crown Pass or a $3 discount on a Pick 3+ pass. Tickets may also be purchased at these outlets in Bigfork: Nancy O Interiors, Electric Avenue Gifts and Donna Shanahan Interiors.

Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation celebrates the love of the guitar and the magical splendor of Montana. The Foundation provides scholarships and collaborates with other nonprofit organizations in the Flathead Valley. The workshop is a perfect opportunity for drawing inspiration, perfecting technique and deepening one’s passion for the guitar and music. For more information about all the Crown Guitar events, detailed biographies on this year’s performers, or to purchase tickets, call 855-855-5900 or visit www.crownguitarfest.org.