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The Transatlantic Trio, LOTSC | Mission Viejo | Sep 12

Eric Bergstrom Editor

Richard Smith is one of the greatest guitar players on the planet.

Incredible fingerstyle player (2001 National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion) and, also, one of the hottest Bebop/Django/Flatpicking players in the world.

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Richard Smith performs everything from fingerpicking classics, originals, Joplin rags, jazz standards, classical and everything from pop to Sousa marches. The playing ranges from amazing to flashy and beautiful. Here are a couple of quotes regarding Richard from Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed. “The most amazing guy I know on the guitar. He can play anything I know, only better.” Chet Atkins, CGP

Joscho Stephan shapes modern gypsy swing with his playing like no other: With his authentic tone, his harmonic finesse and his sense of rhythm, but above all with his breathtaking solo technique, Stephan has earned himself an outstanding reputation on the international guitar scene. Like no other, he knows how to stand out from the multitude of current Gypsy Swing adaptations by combining Gypsy Swing with Latin, Classical and Rock, in addition to numerous interpretations of the well-known classics of the genre. His debut album ‘Swinging Strings’ was voted CD of the month in 1999 by Guitar Player magazine. In 2004, Acoustic Guitar Magazine celebrated Joscho Stephan as the future of gypsy jazz guitar. For the CD “Guitar Heroes” in 2015, Joscho Stephan invited guitar greats like Bireli Lagrène, Stochelo Rosenberg and Tommy Emmanuel.

Rory Hoffman started teaching himself to play guitar and piano at age 3. By age 5 he was the drummer in the family band. He currently plays over a dozen stringed, keyboard and wind instruments. Rory has played the Grand Ole Opry numerous times, as a soloist and as a sideman with Ricky Skaggs, Kathy Mattea and John Cowan. Working with these stars and others has enabled him to play several notable festivals, including Telluride with John Cowan, and Djangofest as part of the John Jorgenson quintet. “Just Jazz Guitar” and “Guitar Player” magazines have written feature articles about Hoffman’s unique guitar style. Rory is 2-time winner of Musician of the Year from Nashville’s ICMA, and is a 2012 inductee into the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame. Tour de Fourth is Rory’s latest album. Rather than focus on a certain style of music, this album features music that demonstrates Rory’s skill and diverse interests in country, western swing, jazz, polka, latin, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and gospel music. It is a mix of original songs, and fresh arrangements of standards.