Tom Griesgraber To Perform Chapman Stick Concert

Feb. 27, 2013 - PRLog -- A Rare talent, rare instrument, and the perfect venue for an unforgettable
experience!

8:30 p.m. Sat, March 9th at Cellarz93 RestaurantWinehouse, 41577 Margarita Road, Temecula, CA 92591, (951) 296-9700.

Until you’ve seen it performed live, the music of Chapman Stick player Tom Griesgraber sounds too big to be real. There are acoustic guitar or piano-like moments, funk rock bass lines, ambient synth and soundscape textures, rock guitar leads, jazz solos and even small bits of percussion sometimes all happening simultaneously. To the uninitiated listener it sounds like an ensemble, but to those who have seem him live, it is the magic of a unique virtuoso.

"Tom's performances were truly amazing and touched everyone in attendance. His talent, professionalism and grace is in a class of its own." -Neil Portnow, President of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc. (The Grammy's)

A Chapman Stick is a rare instrument that resembles a Sitar or Japanese Koto, and has a distinctive sound.  Looking similar to a wide version of the fretboard of an electric guitar, but with 8, 10 or 12 strings, but considerably longer and wider than a guitar fretboard. Unlike the electric guitar, it is usually played by tapping or fretting the strings, rather than plucking them. Instead of one hand fretting and the other hand plucking, both hands sound notes by striking the strings against the fingerboard just behind the appropriate frets for the desired notes.

For this reason, it can sound many more notes at once than some other stringed instruments, making it more comparable to a keyboard instrument than to other stringed instruments. This arrangement lends itself to playing many lines at once and many Stick players have mastered performing bass, chords and melody lines simultaneously.

Tom Griesgraber is one of the world’s most respected and active performers on The Stick. He has toured as an opening act and guest for more than eighty US shows with the California Guitar Trio, toured the US and Europe with drummer Jerry Marotta as the duo Marotta/Griesgraber and opened numerous shows for artists like The Tony Levin Band, The League of Crafty Guitarists, The Dixie Dregs, Steve Hackett, Adrian Belew, Al Dimeola, Stanley Jordan, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather, Muriel Anderson, Tower of Power, Asia, Michael Manring, Tim Reynolds, Jazz Mandolin Project and The Bad Plus.

At the request of Recording Academy (Grammy’s) president Neil Portnow, he has also performed for the Academy’s Board of Trustees as well as the Academy’s Holiday Party and the 2004 Grammy Awards Show Post Party. In addition to his solo performances, Tom also performs regularly with his group Agent 22 and as a duo with Bert Lams of the California Guitar Trio.

To date, Griesgraber has released seven recordings; two solo albums, two with his group Agent 22, two with guitarist Bert Lams and one as a collaboration with drummer Jerry Marotta. All of them reflect both his live shows and his eclectic tastes in music, with pieces ranging in style from progressive or “art” rock to jazz, acoustic music and ambient electronic. “Sketchbook,” his most recent solo release is perhaps the most diverse of all and features stunning contributions from musicians Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Bert Lams (California Guitar Trio), Peter Sprague (Chick Corea) and Ryan Moran (Agent 22, Slightly Stoopid).

The chance to hear a Chapman stick played is rare, and the opportunity to experience a master of the art is extremely rare. On Saturday night you can have the opportunity to hear a bounty of inventive interactive sounds played by one of the world’s most respected and active performers on The Stick.

Once you listen you'll be hooked! Don't miss this one!

About Cellarz93

Cellarz93 RestaurantWinehouse offers affordable casually upscale dining with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients.  Located directly across from the Promenade Mall, this new chic gathering place featuring globally-influenced menu pairings is sure to please.  

At Cellarz93, food is an art form designed to stimulate all the senses through flavor, aroma, texture and  presentation. Whether you dine in the restaurant, al fresco on the patio, or in the Piano Bar and Music Lounge while enjoying live entertainment, you will always be assured that the entree you're savoring will entice your palate and delight your guests.

The Cellarz93 Music Lounge offers an intimate up close and personal musical experience unlike any other in the Inland Empire with its custom acoustics and living room like seating, and unlike many other venues, there’s never a cover charge at Cellarz93!

Cellarz93 RestaurantWinehouse
41577 Margarita Road, Suite 101
Temecula, CA 92591
PH:  951-296-9700
Website:  http://cellarz93.com
Facebook:   http://facebook.com/Cellarz93
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/cellarz93