MUSICIANS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY BRING AN INSPIRATIONAL SOUND TO KANSAS CITY
Ohio based musician Brian Henke believes that music and magic are one and the same. Performing on both acoustic six string and 28 string harp guitar, the award winning guitarist brings his music to Aquarius Books, 3936 Broadway Kansas City, MO Saturday, September 8th at 7PM. Joining him will be acclaimed singer/writer Helen Avakian and Chapman Stick virtuoso Trevor Stewart. Admission is $15.
Henke’s unique guitar style has been called everything from Folk to New Age to Neo-Classical to Pastoral or as Brian likes to call it “a big stewpot of everything, stirred up, simmered and served to taste.” Combining lyricism with virtuosity, He credits his spirituality that is the inspiration of his creative process.
Brian has received radio airplay all over the world on shows as varied as WKSU’s “Folk Alley” and John Dilberto’s “Echoes”. One of his albums, “A Crown of Stars” made it into the top 10 in June of 2007 on the International New Age Radio Charts. He has also shared the bill or performed with acts as diverse as Yes, Bill Frisell, Linda Ronstadt, Richie Havens, John Prine, Andy McKee, and many others. His music can be heard at http://www.brianhenkeguitarist.com.
Helen Avakian is a native of the Hudson Valley area of New York. She is a four time winner of the “Best Song” category at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. A prodigious fingerstyle and classical guitarist, she is also an acclaimed singer/songwriter.
The daughter of a physicist and an artist, she attended Hunter College in New York City and was awarded a full scholarship for a Masters degree in classical guitar performance. Along the way she began writing songs that listeners have compared to Joni Mitchell, Susanne Vega, Tori Amos and Jewel. Her music can be found at http://www.helenavakian.com/
From folk to far out- “Wow, what do you call that instrument?” is usually the first question Trevor Stewart will get when he performs in public. The oddly-shaped instrument called the Chapman Stick allows him to play the equivalent of two guitars simultaneously. It’s sound is produced when the strings are tapped against the frets with both hands as opposed to strumming or picking as with a regular guitar. It was invented by Emmett Chapman in 1969 in Woodland Hills, CA.
“For me, music is about playing from the heart and that always seems to connect with people in a positive way, like food for the soul.” says Stewart. Former faith columnist for the Kansas City Star Bill Tammeus attended one of his groups performances at the celebrated Walnut Valley Festival and likened the music to baptism water. Trevor’s music has been heard on the nationally syndicated N.P.R. programs ‘Hearts of Space’ and Night Tides’ 89.3 FM in Kansas City. To hear and see the Stick in action visit http://www.trevorstewartmusic.com.
If music and magic are connected, Henke, Stewart and Avakian hope to bring both to Kansas City on September 8th.
