UPPER LAKE — Tallman Hotel features Chapman Stick Master at its Sunday “Concert with Conversation.”
Tom Griesgraber, whose father is a long time Kelseyville resident, will appear at a special Concert with Conversation at the Tallman Hotel, 7:30 p.m. this Sunday.
Griesgraber is recognized as one of the world”s true masters of the magical but complicated instrument called the Chapman stick. He will be appearing along with classical guitarist Bert Lams.
“Thanks to Tom”s family connections here in Lake County, we were really lucky to fit into a West Coast tour he”s making with the exceptional guitarist Bert Lams,” Tallman owner Bernie Butcher said. “If people haven”t heard this truly amazing instrument ? the Chapman stick ? played to perfection, they”re in for a real treat.”
Invented by Emmett Chapman in 1974, the “stick” is a 12-stringed instrument built around the idea of tapping on a fretboard with the fingertips of both hands with the resulting amplified vibrations producing a full range of unique sounds.
With both hands as equal partners on the fretboard, each hand can play independent lines, or the two can work in concert to form interlaced arrangements.
An honors graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Griesgraber tours widely performing on the Chapman stick. Griesgraber is an active composer and arranger for the instrument and his shows include a mix of original material as well as arrangements ranging from Bach to the Beatles.
“I”m proud to see one of my instruments used in such a creative way,” Emmet Chapman said of Griesgraber”a mastery.
Bert Lams initially gained notice in 1980 as first laureate in a youth music contest in Brussels. He then went on to earn an honors degree in the study of classical guitar, eventually teaching at the Brussels Academy of Music. Since 1993, he has toured the world and released six albums with the California Guitar Trio.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the meeting house next to the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake. Coffee and cookies will be served at the performance. Tickets cost $25 plus tax and are available by calling the Tallman Hotel reservation desk at 275-2244. People interested in the show can get a preview at www.thossounds.com and www.bertlams.com.
