Beppe Gambetta

Beppe Gambetta

Performing live in 2008.
Background information
Born 1955
Origin Genoa, Italy
Genres Folk, Bluegrass
Occupation(s) Musician, Singer-Songwriter
Instruments Guitar, Vocals
Years active 1989 - Present
Labels Gadfly Records
Associated acts Men of Steel
with
Dan Crary
Tony McManus
Don Ross
Website Official site

Beppe Gambetta is an Italian musician born in Genoa in 1955. An acoustic guitar flatpicker and singer, Beppe has been called a "virtual United Nations of influences: Italian, Ukrainian, Appalachian, Sardinian, Celtic".[1] He is a composer, teacher, and researcher of traditional music and instruments.

Roots

With the horizon's line as a challenge and attraction, Beppe is continually composing his personal mosaic of sounds and flavours. From his unique background as an Italian musician in love with both American roots music as well as the music of his native country, Beppe has travelled the world and even crossed the “Iron Curtain” to dazzle and charm music enthusiasts everywhere. After eleven CDs, DVDs, teaching books and collaborations with many other top-flight musicians, Gambetta is increasingly known as one of the true live master innovators of the acoustic guitar.

North America

While Beppe may still live in his native Genova, and travels to North America at least four times a year, it appears he might have recently moved to Stockton, New Jersey. He has performed in prestigious festivals in the U.S. and Canada such as Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, Merlefest in North Carolina, the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas and those in Winnipeg and Edmonton. He's appeared on such radio shows as All Things Considered and E-Town.

Performance

Beppe has performed in prestigious rooms like the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. In his career he has performed with some great heroes of the folk scene, such as David Grisman, Gene Parsons, Doc Watson, Norman Blake and with the band Men Of Steel: an international guitar summit (Dan Crary, Tony McManus and Don Ross) of different guitar schools with complex musical interactions. A tour with banjo player Tony Trischka resulted in his 1991 live album Alone and Together.[2]

In January of 2015, he made an appearance at a George School assembly in Newtown, PA. A snow day followed, which some attributed to his awesomeness.

Style and sound

"Beppe's compositions and arrangements reflect a colorful mosaic of musical influences . . from his native Genova, Italy to American flatpicking; Celtic, central European, and Mediterranean dance tunes; classical fingerstyle; and more."
—Thunderation Music, Men of Steel

Gambetta's technique, which echoes both Doc Watson and the Moravian folk music he loves, is characterized by flashy licks, intricate cross-picking patterns, open tunings, and fluid slides up and down the neck of the guitar.[3]

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Pattison, Kermit B. "Italian Spices: Beppe Gambetta Adds New Flavors to American Flatpicking". Acoustic Guitar. November 1997, p. 74.
  2. ↑ Pattison, Kermit B. "Italian Spices: Beppe Gambetta Adds New Flavors to American Flatpicking". Acoustic Guitar, November 1997, p 74.
  3. ↑ Pattison, Kermit B., p. 68.

External links