New West Guitars: A Celebration of the Blue Guitars Project
New West Guitars
A Celebration of the Blue Guitars Project
New West Guitars (NWG) have developed a widespread reputation as one of the premier jazz guitar ensembles in the world. Featuring guitarists Perry Smith (NYC), John Storie (LA), and Will Brahm (LA), NWG performs exciting originals, jazz standards and popular covers. Their signature sound comes from an innovative style that highlights rhythm, beauty and virtuosity through using classic “archtop style” jazz guitars.
Their new project features instruments from The Blue Guitars Foundation, a legendary collection of vintage “archtop style” jazz guitars. NWG was chosen to represent the newly commissioned guitars through live performances and recordings.
The Blue Guitar Collection was displayed at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History from November 11, 1997 through October 1998. The Blue D’Aquisto Centura Deluxe was featured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the museum’s “Guitar Heroes” exhibit in 2011. After founder Scott Chinery’s passing in 2000, the guitars remained with the Chinery family until 2021, when they were acquired by the Archtop Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to share the collection with everyone – it is too good to keep hidden!
Details
April 21, 2027
7:30 p.m.
Price
$45 | $65
Pricing includes all fees.
Venue
Luth Concert Hall
The Prior Performing Arts Center
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About The Blue Guitars Collection
The Blue Guitar Collection was displayed at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History from November 11th 1997 through October 1998. It is also worth noting that the Blue D’Aquisto Centura Deluxe, the Benedetto La Cremona Azzurra and the Monteleone Rocket Convertible were featured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the museum’s “Guitar Heroes” exhibit in 2011. After Scott Chinery’s passing in 2000, the guitars have remained with the Chinery family and in 2021 were passed along to The Archtop Foundation.
The Foundation’s goal is to share the collection with everyone – it is too good to keep hidden. We look to: 1) exhibit the guitars at shows, museums, and schools; 2) build a virtual museum here so that you can experience the collection wherever you are, with information on every guitar and luthier involved, including highest quality video recordings; 3) offer access to the collection to luthiers and scientific researchers studying how to understand and improve the art of luthiery; and 4) make these available to professional musicians looking to record on–or just experience– these wonderful instruments.
About The Artists
“Beautiful acoustic rhythms, vibrant classically infused single note lines and jazzy arpeggios cover the magnificent musical landscape these three players create.”
— Metronome Magazine
New West Guitars have developed a widespread reputation as one of the premier jazz guitar ensembles in the world. Featuring guitarists Perry Smith (NYC) John Storie (LA) and Will Brahm (LA), they perform exciting originals, jazz standards and popular covers. Their signature sound comes from an innovative style that highlights rhythm, beauty and virtuosity through using classic “archtop style” jazz guitars.
Their new project features instruments from The Blue Guitars Foundation, a legendary collection of vintage “archtop style” jazz guitars. NWG was chosen to represent the newly commissioned guitars through live performances and recordings.
Starting in the Fall of 2020, John, Perry and Will started a podcast series called High Action. Interviewing a variety of legendary and influential guitar players, the trio has provided a space to build community, share experiences and learn from some of today’s leading voices on the Guitar.
Praised as “sharp and refined” by the Seattle Times, the New West Guitars have released 7 full length albums since 2005. Each project features their unique style of laid-back virtuosity and finely crafted arrangements. Their latest album “Live at Mauch Chunk Opera House” was filmed and recorded near Allentown, Pennsylvania at a legendary opera house built in the 1800s. The project features original compositions and popular covers captured in an exciting live setting for a sold out crowd.
In August of 2015, New West released a collaborative project “Send One Your Love” on Summit Records. The recording features renowned jazz vocalists: Gretchen Parlato, Sara Gazarek, Becca Stevens, Tierney Sutton and Peter Eldridge. Downbeat Magazine gave this CD the prestigious Editor’s Pick in their August 2015 issue.
Smith and Storie founded New West at USC’s Thornton School of Music. Today they continue to tour as a trio with Brahm and special guests throughout the United States and abroad. Their music is regularly featured on NPR and jazz radio stations, while their repertoire is performed throughout the country by college and high school guitar programs. New West Guitars versatility as players and composers have given them a reputation as pioneers in the realm of guitar ensemble.