Loren Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb with French Nights Opening

Amazing Things Arts Center, 160 Hollis St, Framingham, MA | Get Directions »
$20.00

Central New York acoustic guitar standout Loren Barrigar and New Zealand star Mark Mazengarb were instantly aware of the musical magic that was created the first time they played guitar together. Loren and Mark first met in 2005 when they spent a few days working with the great Tommy Emmanuel at Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp. Mark was a college kid, just completing his degree in classical guitar at the University of North Carolina; Loren was already a seasoned performer, but it was his first serious look at acoustic guitar. After the workshop, Mark visited Loren and they spent some time picking guitar - and picking each other's brains. 

In 2008 they met again in Nashville at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society (CAAS) convention, an international gathering of hundreds of guitarists. That set the stage for the 2010 CAAS convention where they were on the schedule of performers. Though they were not originally listed to play on 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 share a unique musical chemistry seldom found among musicians. Their live performances feature not only their spectacular technical grasp of the guitar, but also their outstanding musicality and ability to be spontaneously creative. 

The interaction between the two musicians is as much a feature of their shows as is the world-class guitar playing that they both display. It is difficult to classify the genre of music Barrigar and Mazengarb perform; they simply describe it as 'fingerstyle guitar'. Their varied repertoire consists of stunning guitar duets as well as songs (they both sing) which gives them a wide appeal. The music is influenced by Bluegrass, Jazz, and Country, and their style of guitar playing is largely built upon the thumb-picking techniques pioneered by guitar greats Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed. 

Barrigar and Mazengarb recorded their first album together this year in the summer of 2011, and were invited to perform as headline guests at the CAAS convention in July of 2011 in Nashville. The duo recently won a SAMMY (Syracuse Area Music Award) Award at the Northeast Music Industry Convention in November 2011.

Ticket price:$20 (Stu/Sen $19, Mem $17 Child U12 $10)