On Friday, March 7, Roaring Fork Valley residents will be treated to an unforgettable experience as International Guitar Night (IGN) comes to the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, part of the celebration for the 25th anniversary of its North American tour.
The brainchild of guitarist and poet Brian Gore, IGN emerged from his frustration with the limited variety of musicians typically booked by music presenters. Originally from the San Francisco Bay area (now based in Portland, OR), Gore recognized a lack of diversity in musical programming and envisioned a series of concerts that would bring together guitarists from different genres to create a more dynamic and engaging experience for audiences.
Inspired by instrumental artists like William Ackerman and Michael Hedges of Windham Hill Records, Gore sought to create concerts featuring a variety of acoustic guitarists with distinct styles. Although the early years presented challenges, the popularity of IGN has steadily grown, with audiences and venues continuing to embrace the unique concept. “Most dates on the tour are sold out or nearly so,” Gore said of the growing demand for the performances.
In addition to established artists like Alex De Grasse from Windham Hill, Gore has made a point of showcasing rising stars and lesser-known but highly respected musicians from across the globe. “We’re working with the most respected players in their subgenres,” he noted, while always introducing new talent to each tour.
For the 25th anniversary tour, three of the four artists are newcomers: classical guitarist Alexandra Whittingham from the United Kingdom, virtuoso guitarist and singer Niwel Tsumbu from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and guitarist/storyteller Sönke Meinen from Germany. The exception is tour leader Lulo Reinhardt, also from Germany, who is taking the reins for his eighth North American IGN. Reinhardt has been a prominent figure in the IGN tours and has also led over ten editions of the European “Nacht der Guitarren” (Night of the Guitars) tours. Gore noted that Reinhardt’s first tour in 2010 brought a fresh energy and vision to IGN, changing the direction of the event.
Reinhardt hails from the renowned Reinhardt musical family, with his great uncle being the legendary Django Reinhardt. The Reinhardt family, of Sinti origins, is deeply rooted in Roma (historically referred to as “Gypsy”) culture, which has influenced Reinhardt’s musical career. He continues to honor this heritage with his performances, using his platform to promote “freedom and peace” while highlighting Sinti and Roma traditions. He proudly displays a Gypsy flag onstage, aiming to provoke thought and awareness. Reinhardt’s personal story also carries the weight of history; his father survived five concentration camps during the Holocaust, including Auschwitz, where he narrowly escaped death when the Russians liberated the camp.
While Gore stepped away from performing in IGN several years ago, he continues to curate and oversee the tours, though booking is handled by a talent agency. This year’s milestone 25th anniversary tour, which runs from January 18 to March 23, spans 42 performances across North America, from Alaska to Massachusetts. Gore acknowledged that the agency “pulled out all the stops” to make this anniversary tour special.
The demanding pace of the tour is a challenge for the artists, who often drive themselves from one venue to the next. Reinhardt described the experience as “half human, half robot,” but Gore emphasized the strong sense of camaraderie within the group. “Everybody helps each other out,” he said, noting the “overall team spirit” that defines IGN.
Looking ahead, Gore expressed his hopes to continue IGN for the next 40 years, noting that there is no shortage of talented performers he’d like to bring to the stage. As for Aspen, Gore has always held the Wheeler Opera House in high regard, saying, “It’s a place the IGN should be going.”
Fans in Aspen will have the chance to witness this unique and dynamic performance on March 7 as the International Guitar Night continues to bring exceptional talent and diverse musical styles to audiences far and wide.
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