GUITARISTS PAIRED FOR JAZZ SERIES IN WATCHUNG

"Django to Jobim" Brings 
Frank Vignola and Gene Bertoncini Together

Django Reinhardt was the French guitarist who introduced the distinct and intriguing Gypsy sound to jazz, inspiring so many string players who followed. Antonio Carlos Jobim took jazz in a different direction, launching the Brazilian samba sound that eventually spawned the bossa nova craze.

Both will be remembered with "Django to Jobim," a Jazz Series offering at the Watchung Arts Center featuring acclaimed guitarists Frank Vignola and Gene Bertoncini. The April 7 concert will be in their intimate Gallery, with the music starting at 8 PM. Tickets are only $12, including light intermission refreshments.

Seats for this concert are best reserved in advance. This is easily accomplished by phone, calling (908) 753-0190 during office hours (1 to 4 PM), or leaving a message on the voice mail at other times. Tickets are held for pickup at the door.

Frank Vignola recently appeared at the Pee Wee Russell Memorial Stomp, a major event with a 30+ year tradition hosted by the New Jersey Jazz Society. His group was last, but the crowd lingered and rewarded them with ovations, even after just enjoying four larger groups. 

With spectacular fingering and a right hand that strums faster than the eye can follow, Frank Vignola has built a strong following among dedicated jazz fans throughout the country... and overseas. His Hot Club USA is the definitive group perpetuating the sound that Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli pioneered 
and took mainstream.

"Gene Bertoncini is the best living exponent of jazz on the classical guitar," writes one critic, and he's not alone. "Ber-
toncini is an affecting, highly original guitarist who moves easily back and forth between classical and jazz guitar." 

He's been called the "Segovia of jazz," no small compliment with so many talented guitarists on the jazz scene today. While all about him strive for more and more amplification, he often uses a simple acoustic classical guitar, achieving a rich, full sound "the old fashioned way." 

"His technique is so impeccable as to be almost invisible," writes one critic. "It takes a while even to notice all the 
things he's up to." His arrangements and improvisations are so intricate that he "eliminates the line between jazz and classical," leading one reviewer to gush, "Gene Bertoncini can do it all."

CONTACTS:

Watchung Arts Center (1 to 4 PM best) (908) 753-0190

Bruce M. Gast, Publicity (908) 755-2483
Frank Vignola, Guitar (914) 381-4807
Gene Bertoncini, Guitarist (NYC) (212) 421-3079