Stephen Bennett's Courses - Watch Now:
STEPHEN
BENNETT was born in Oregon , grew up in New York and has lived in Virginia
for the last three decades. Since his 1987 first-place win at the National
Flatpicking Championship in Winfield, Kansas (The Walnut Valley Festival), he
has become known as a versatile guitarist who consistently garners critical
praise and audience enthusiasm for his compositions and live performances.
With his stellar musicianship, a relaxed stage presence, and quick wit, Stephen
has performed throughout the United States and Europe, as well as in Canada,
Australia and Japan .
And with a big pile of cds (as well as a few dvds) already released into the
world, a new SB recording is probably in the works at any given moment.
Aside from his work on the six-string guitar, Stephen is also one of the world's
premiere performers on the Harp Guitar, an instrument he indirectly inherited
from his great-grandfather. As a composer and arranger, he has created an
enduring repertoire and a significant body of recorded work for this instrument.
Additionally, he is the Founder of the Harp Guitar Gathering, an event that has
occurred for five consecutive years (as of October 2007). The HGG seeks to
celebrate all things harp guitar as it brings players, luthiers, scholars and
fans together for a weekend of performances, workshops and camaraderie.
Slide guitar work on his 1930 National resophonic steel guitar is also an
important part of Stephen's instrumental diversity.
However, the image of Stephen Bennett embracing his harp guitar is the one that
tends to linger. The fact that Stephen is only too happy to champion the cause
of the harp guitar may inadvertently obscure his abilities on the six-string
instrument. In what is becoming known as the Golden Age of Guitar Luthiery, it's
easy to overlook the fact that this is also the Golden Age of Guitar Playing.
With six strings or more, as one of the most original and prolific composers and
arrangers for the guitar on the current scene, Stephen Bennett is clearly a part
of the latter heritage.
Stephen Rekas
Mel Bay Publications
Practice smart. Play hard.
