JUDY HANDLER & MARK LEVESQUE: Two Guitars Live!

Judy Handler & Mark Levesque

Two Guitars Live!

© 2003 Judy Handler & Mark Levesque (829757424828)

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This live acoustic recording is a unique collage of passionate, energetic guitar music blending Brazilian, classical guitar, swing and gypsy influences.

notes

Audiences respond enthusiastically to the energy and lyricism of Judy and Mark's performances. Their music is passionate, beautiful and delightfully beyond category. These consummate artists skillfully blend many guitar influences including Brazilian, Latin, swing, gypsy, European and classical. Judy and Mark have been performing together for 9 years throughout New England for universities, arts centers, community groups and special events. Some of their recent performances include the International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven, Studio 450 in New York City, The Chateaugay Lakes Arts Association in upstate New York, The Autorino Great Hall at the Bushnell, The University of Connecticut, The American Mandolin & Guitar Summer Program at Roger Williams College in Rhode Island, The Greenwich Public Library and the Florence Griswold Museum.

Judy and Mark are supported by a number of established arts and educational organizations. The Greater Hartford Arts Council is using their CD Acoustic Blend as a premiere gift for donors to the United Arts Campaign of 2003. The Arts Council also selected their recording of Tico Tico for the soundtrack to a slide presentation on CDROM called Hartford's Hidden Treasures. In 2001 the Connecticut Commission on the Arts named Judy and Mark to their prestigious roster of artists. They are also on rosters for the New England Foundation for the Arts, and The Southern Connecticut Library Council.

In November 2003 Judy and Mark released a new CD Two Guitars Live! that is an exciting live performance of their quartet with bass and drums. In 2001 they produced their debut CD, Acoustic Blend to international acclaim and were included on a virtual CD of gypsy jazz guitar music. Judy and Mark have been featured on 5 CDs produced by the Connecticut Classical Guitar Society. For sound samples and booking information visit www.judyandmark.com or contact them at guitarduo@comcast.net.

Judy Handler, guitar
Judy has given concerts & workshops at numerous venues throughout the United States including the University of Arizona, Commons Theater in Chicago, the Boston Classical Guitar Society and the Guitar Salon in New York. Her solo playing features classical music as well as Latin American, Brazilian, and jazz arrangements. She has had the pleasure of performing with many talented guitarists such as Charlie Byrd and Oscar Ghiglia. Judy has received a variety of awards throughout her career, most recently an Individual Artist Fellowship from the Greater Hartford Arts Council.
Judy's studies began in her hometown, Chicago and she went on to earn a Bachelor of Music from the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and a Master of Music from the Hartt School of Music. She also studied and performed in programs at the Aspen Music Festival, the Vila-Seca i Salou Conservatory in Spain and the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Italy. She teaches guitar at the University of Connecticut and at a private studio in Vernon, Connecticut. Judy is co-founder of the Connecticut Classical Guitar Society. www.judyandmark.com

Mark Levesque, guitar & mandolin
Mark started playing guitar at age 13 and soon began working with rock and blues bands. He also became interested in other styles of guitar music including jazz, classical and international. Mark has composed songs and instrumental music, worked with synthesizer orchestration, and learned the art of studio recording.
Mark plays an array of guitars including a classical, a jazz archtop, a 12 string, an electric and a gypsy guitar. He also has several mandolins, a Brazilian mandolin (bandolim) and a Puerto Rican cuatro. His versatility has given him the opportunity to play in groups ranging from duos to big bands. Mark's passion for guitar and mandolin music has led him to research music from throughout the world and his creative ideas have been the stimulus for most of the arrangements performed by the group. www.judyandmark.com

Genevieve Rose, bass
Genevieve, a freelance performer based in New England, performs with jazz, big band, dixieland, vocal and Latin ensembles. She has concertized throughout the U.S. and in Greece, Turkey and Columbia. Genevieve performs regularly with the Tribute to Benny Goodman Big Band and has played with Billy Taylor, the Sammy Kaye Big Band, Claude Williamson, Byron Stripling and many other notable jazz artists. She has been on the faculty of the UMass Jazz in July Summer Workshop since 1997. Genevieve is the band director for Orchard Hill Elementary School, South Windsor, CT. www.jazzbassplayer.com

Gregory Caputo, drums & percussion
Gregory's professional credits include drumming for Gene Krupa, Benny Goodman, Les Brown, Count Basie and Harry James Big Bands; Jimmy Dorsey, Sammy Kaye, Artie Shaw and Nelson Riddle Orchestras; performances with Sheila Jordan, Sammy Davis Jr., Cab Calloway, Benny Watters, Charlie Ventura and Claude "Fiddler" Williams.
Gregory conducts frequent clinics and master classes and is an adjunct faculty member for the Jazz in July Summer Music Program at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. His endorsements include Remo Drumheads, Rhythm Tech Percussion and Regal Tip Drum Sticks. www.gregorycaputo.com

reviews

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  • 2 Guitars Live
    author: Courtney Morrow

    I really enjoyed it -- like seeing them in concert, only you can hear the songs over and over again. I will see them again. There's a 3rd CD coming out in August 2008.

  • A good follow up to the previous cd
    author: Alan

    I bought this cd because I'd got Acoustic Blend. Its a little better in the choice of tunes and having a live feel to it.

  • Extremely good guitar work
    author: dee

    I was browsing through the bargain basement, expectations on lull, when I stumbled across this cd. In Ireland we have a band with a sound like this, called Gabriela y Rodrigo, who have gone from indie/argentinian classicists to expensive ticket only eventeers. Mark and Judy have this sound, but not the extravangence that accompanies it. Their first song is determined to get you wiggly whether you are checking your bank balance on line or waiting for the shower to be free (it's christmas, the house is full, people go out alot) the other songs offer a refuge from your day, or top up your exurberance, a necessity at this time of year. I availed of the cheapo 3 for €5 each deal and this is my favourite. Obviously, being able to listen to them first helps but i have a feeling that I'll be a return client. The speedy delivery certainly vouched well but even if it had taken over the 2 or so days to arrive ( ridiculously fast in internet cross world times) the music is just so ambient, so powerful and skillfully executed that all would be forgotten. Good for rekindling relationships, I'd expect.

  • author: Ronald

    If you heard their 'Acoustic Blend' cd, this is just as good, but live. If you like guitars without fuzz boxes and electronic distortion don't miss this one.

  • Tuica!!!!
    author: AZJOHN

    This group is great. I have not heard renditions of the tunes they play in years. My fave is Track 9-Two Guitars. Tuica. The only other recording I have of this tune is a '78 rpm vinyl recorded by the Kelly H.S. Orchestra in the '40's. I recommend it!!!

  • author: Linda Binder

    Great CD! This is in a "frequent play" rotation in my CD player. There isn't a bad tune in the lot --a very appealing selection of music.. The playing is wonderful and it has that live performance energy to it. I plan to buy copies as gifts for friends.

  • Masterful renditions, such a pleasure to listen to!
    author: Fred Seet

    The mastery of each instrument involved in the production of each track in this album makes listening rewarding and pleasurable. The synergy and understanding between the musicians comes through, treating the listener to relaxing yet engaging music. Music that you can enjoy, both to brighten your day when you are alone or as easy-listening when entertaining friends.

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