Local contact number: 03 548 7646
$15 at door
Friday bar from 5pm
Friday evening cafe 5:00-8:00pm
Ear-boggling The Washington Post
American fingerstyle wizard Richard Gilewitz has become a regular sighting for a number of years in New Zealand, lively entertaining audiences with his 6 and 12-string finger gymnastics while spinning enchanting yarns and short quips too unbelievable not to be true. This years tour has expanded to include Australia and Tasmania - Richards first visit.
As a youngster, Richard embraced such diverse artists as The Beatles, Andres Segovia, Kraftwerk, Leo Kottke, J.S. Bach, Arlo Guthrie, John Fahey and Flatt & Scruggs. Soaking up the wealth of inspiration supplied by the assorted acts featured at the Renfro Valley festivals, The Dr. Demento Radio Show and The Midnight Special, Richard welcomed the challenge of mastering and adapting many styles of music for the acoustic guitar -- a trait that continually places him among a multitude of genres.
Richard began honing his skills both as a performer and composer during the late 1970’s at the University of Alabama, playing the local coffeehouse circuit while pursing degrees in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Music. Following graduation, Richard placed his musical calling in the background and joined the world of flight simulation design, telemetry and satellite systems.
The 1980’s brought Richard to Florida where he released his first LP recording, Somewhere In Between. As the pull of his passion for performing and recording became so compelling, Richard left corporate life to teach and perform full time in a career that has propelled him across countless countries worldwide for over 3 decades. He has released six more recordings, Voluntary Solitary, Synapse Collapse, The Music of David Walbert, Thumbsing, Live at 2nd Street Theater, and Strings for a Season, plus instructional guitar videos, interactive CDRoms and self produced solo instrumental collections. Collaborating with Mel Bay Publications, Richard has released Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop, a book based on his guitar workshops, along with a DVD of “All Time Favorite Fingerstyle Guitar Tunes”. His interactive CDRoms, “Fingerscapes” and Guitar Foundations are available through TrueFire. He is a contributing writer for Mel Bay Guitar Sessions, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine, Premier Guitar, and the L2P Network.
Preserving the legacy of the acoustic guitar, his performances are laced with sounds from folk and traditional, to the blues and the classical. With Richards signature playing style delivering a technical diversity of banjo style picking patterns, classical arpeggios, tapping and harmonics, along with a rhythmic and percussive approach, he brings a fresh impression of sound to the listener.
According to 20th Century Guitar Magazine, A powerhouse of eclectic guitar styles and genres, Gilewitz wears his influences well.
“He seems to embody the traditional values of the guitar and shows what can be accomplished when you do.” Option Magazine
His complex, energetic originals have made Gilewitz popular on the festival and club circuits as a solo performer. Guitar Player Magazine
”His performance style is very crisp and precise, allowing the personality of the music to shine through.” Dirty Linen Magazine
His quick wit and twisted sense of humor has made him an entertainer as well as a fine guitarist. Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine
