DEBUT CD IS NOW AVAILABLE!

For the first time since 1993, Jason’s debut recording of works by Morel, Brouwer, Regondi, Bach and Ponce will be available. This critically acclaimed CD can be purchased directly, by clicking on the cover of the album here.

CIM GUITAR WEEKEND 2007

This March, Jason participates in the Cleveland Institute of Music’s “Guitar Weekend” (sponsored by Galli Strings). He leads a master class at CIM on March 10 at 1pm.  The following afternoon, March 11th, Jason appears in recital at Kulas Hall at 4pm. The program includes Bach: BWV 998, Orbon: “Preludio Y Danza”, Brouwer: “El Decameron Negro” and Albeniz: “Cuba” and “Asturias”.

For further information,visit: http://www.guitarsint.com/schedule.cfm

UK DEBUT THIS MARCH!

On Sunday, March 18th, Jason flies out to Great Britain to make his long awaited UK debut at the Guildford International Music Festival in Guildford, Surrey. Repertoire includes works by Metheny, Albeniz, Ponce, Sor and Merlin.

TRIP TO GERMANY ON THE HORIZON
IN MAY 2007!

Jason is scheduled to participate in the IPS Koblenz Guitar Festival this spring. This renowned German festival offers a special focus on guitar music and presents concerts, master classes, workshops, lectures and the International Guitar Competition.   Jason has been invited to join a distingued roster of some 200 performing artists, guest lecturers, and students from 44 countries around the globe.  He is scheduled to appear in recital at the Rhein-Mosel Halle on May 28 at 11am.

For further about Jason’s masterclass and further details about the festival, please visit:  http://www.pfingstseminar.de/

TAKING KOREA BY STORM!

This past December, Jason ventured out to Korea for the first time to join the celebrated Korean cellist Young Song on stage.  Jason was a featured guest artist on a Christmas concert for a sold-out audience of 2,500 on Dec 23, which also served as a launch for Song’s STOMP/EMI CD release, “Tango”.  The concert was filmed for broadcast throughout South Korea by the SBS.  For the occasion, Jason arranged Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” for he and Mr. Song, and Jason opened the concert with a solo spot.  Other highlights of the evening included “Reflexoes No. 6” by Jaime Zenamon, a movement from Piazzolla’s “Tango Suite” and sat in with Mr. Song and jazz pianist Yoshiko Kishino’s Trio performing her composition “Siesta”.  Off the concert stage, Jason and Young had an opportunity to trade pool tips over several games of 9-ball and enjoy lots of Korean dining, including a traditional Korean feast in Jeonju.

[VERY fresh octopus – this poor fella
was alive just seconds before the photo.]

[Good food and wine, and new friends,
after the Seoul Arts Center concert.]

TALES FROM THE ROAD

I’m happy to be able to sit down and write about what’s been going on, after a long time without posting.

This last summer, in addition to getting together music for the Fall season, I was mostly practicing Bach. I’m getting my mind blown all over again over two lute works that I haven’t performed in public in about 8 years. I had to change most of my previous fingering movements; it was like I was re-learning it, but well worth it. We’re hoping to start recording some of this very soon, concert schedule allowing.

I am writing this in Boston-Logan Airport in the middle of a 6-week stretch of concertos, recitals and chamber music. There was a weekend in the middle where I got away for a mini-vacation. I’m getting used to the idea of taking a little vacation to NYC or somewhere warm (FL, CA, Mexico) on a free weekend, so that it doesn’t interfere with my duties at The Cleveland Institute of Music.

This year in general is a busy one; I’ll be traveling most of October through April, and getting my CIM teaching in on the weekdays. I have the opportunity to perform lots of music this year, including some all Spanish/Latin American solo recitals, concertos by Corigliano, Rodrigo, Jorge Morel; lots of chamber music with voice, cello, flute, violin, viola, string quartet. The “main” solo program (“main” is used very loosely here) will have music of Sor, Bach, Albeniz, Merlin, and some things from the new Images of Metheny CD.

Let’s see, some highlights the last year…traveling by train along the Rhine from Koblenz to Frankfurt, walking in the Berkshires in May, introducing my father to Pat Metheny in Buffalo in June, running a 4-mile race in July (never ran more than a mile before this), really good Guitar Foundation of America festival in Columbus GA (had some of the best fried chicken there), ice skating in Central Park, the concerts and audiences have been wonderful. Unfortunately, no water skiing trip this last summer in TX, next year though…

Went to the Cleveland Cavaliers home opener last week, very exciting. LeBron is the truth!…this should be a good year for them.

I’m looking forward to my first visit to Korea this December – I’ll be a guest on a Christmas concert put together by cellist Young-Hoon Song. By the time I get to Buffalo to visit family, it will be Christmas afternoon. I hope a strong egg nog will be waiting for me, right guys?

JV

RECENT MAGAZINE PROFILE

The world’s longest running classical music review magazine published an article about Jason by music critic Don Rosenberg in the 2004 Christmas Issue. Jason’s new recordings have also recently attracted rave reviews in Classical CD Review and Classical Guitar. "More ..."