Beppe Gambetta

With America in his heart, Beppe Gambetta’s roots are in the sun and the olive trees of his home in Genoa, Italy. Gambetta bridges the two continents, creating a musical fusion where American roots music and Ligurian tradition, emigration songs and folk ballads, steel string guitars and vintage harp guitars not only co-exist but interact, without any rigid classification. 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. His study of intricate details of the commonalities and differences between American, Celtic and Italian folk style uses of flat picks is unparalleled.

Gambetta has played prominent festivals such as Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS, Merlefest in NC, Four Corners Festival in CO and Canadian Folk Festivals in Winnipeg and Edmonton, as well as NPR radio shows “All Things Considered” and “E-Town”. Gambetta also has performed in prestigious rooms like the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY. In his career he has performed with some great heroes of the folk scene like David Grisman, Gene Parsons, Doc Watson, Norman Blake and with the band Men Of Steel. This return to Valley Folk is a rare opportunity to see Gambetta in such an intimate setting. Last time he was here, he concentrated on his American bluegrass repertoire. This time, he brings new repertoire, including some of his beautiful native Italian folk music. His own flat pick style is as innovative as it is charming.

Visit his website at:
www.beppegambetta.com

On concert nights (unless otherwise noted) audience members are encouraged to bring acoustic instruments to play, and songs to sing together, in the gallery while the the concert hall is being set up. Beginning at 6 pm, this is a self-run jam session. The types of folk music played varies depending on who shows up and what they play, so come join in or just come to listen!