Home-Grown Guitar
Guitarist Leon Atkinson will present a solo recital at The Met on Sunday. The program will feature music by Cuban composer Leo Brower and a centenary tribute to American tunesmith Hoagie Carmichael.
Atkinson is in his fifth year as host of the popular local radio show, “The Guitar Hour,” which airs on KPBX Thursdays at 11 a.m. A resident of Sandpoint, Atkinson has traveled the world studying classical and jazz guitar, including lessons with Andre Segovia. He currently teaches at Gonzaga University.
Atkinson is a very laid-back kind of guy, which means the program won’t be determined in its entirety until he sits down and starts playing. He promises audience favorites, as always. The program may also reflect who appears in the audience that day, and what Atkinson knows about their personal tastes.
Brower is a former Cuban guitarist — former because of a hand injury — who is now writing music for the guitar. More than for any other instrument, one almost needs to be an accomplished guitarist to write well for the instrument. Many guitarists spend a good deal of time trying to make music written for other instruments work on theirs.
Atkinson said that Brower does not get to the U.S. much for political reasons, but he has run into him in Canada. Sunday’s performance will include five of Brower’s “Studies for Guitar” and an Afro-Cuban lullaby.
Hoagy Carmichael penned a pile of wonderful, well-known songs, and Atkinson will do a set in honor of his 100th year. Promised for the program were “Stardust,” of course, as well as “Georgia On My Mind” and “Skylark.”
Atkinson has an obvious love for the guitar. In a conversation earlier this week, Atkinson said, “The guitar in its own way covers such a complete musical spectrum. It is a wonderful thing for me to be able to share the far-reaching potential of the guitar with so many people.”
This sidebar appeared with the story: Leon Atkinson When: 3 p.m. Sunday Where: The Met. Tickets: $12 in advance or $15 at the door, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets, by phone at (800) 325-SEAT or online at www.ticketswest.com.