Guitars come Alive again, thanks to Sudbury Guitar Trio

Three bodies. Six hands. Eighteen strings.

The Sudbury Guitar Trio is 24 fingers of guitar greatness. Matthew Gould is director of guitar studies at Cambrian College, where both Allan Yzereef and Keenan Comartin teach part-time.

Together, they have a plethora of experience and a desire to share their love of the classic guitar. As they begin their collaborative musical journey, they are combining classic music with elements of modern sound.

“Play something that somebody likes,” Gould said. “It's smart programming classical musicians are starting to remember.”

Because while they appreciate the classics, musicians tend to come from more mainstream beginnings.

“We start off playing rock 'n' roll,” Gould said. “It's just one of the things we do as teenagers.”

And that can be part of what they do on the classic guitar. Yzereef said there is no limit to styles the instrument can play. It all adds up to better musicianship.

The trio formed in March 2012, and has already grown to tackle some impressive feats.

The musicians have played internationally, and are anxiously looking forward to playing a two-week music festival in Italy. On top of that, they have an album full of commissioned new music in the works.

Their biggest feat, however, is taking the production of Guitars Alive!, an annual celebration of the instrument.

This year, it's bigger and better than ever. The event is now a weekend-long festival, including a performance by original fest founder the Guitars Alive Trio, made up of Gary diSalle, Paul Dunn and Phil Candelaria on June 7, as well as Christine Tassan et les Imposteures on June 9.

The highlight, perhaps, will be the Saturday night bill. The Sudbury Guitar Trio will be playing alongside the Guitars Alive Orchestra — what is expected to include 50-some screaming guitars from a variety of styles and players.

Kids, adults, new musicians and experienced players will be able to share the stage and the spotlight as they perform with each other.

“Sudbury is really a guitar town,” Gould said.

For more information about the upcoming festival, visit guitarsalive.org.

The shows include:

June 7 – Guitars Alive Trio, CD release party, Sudbury Secondary School, 7 p.m., tickets $20/door, $15/advance.
June 8 – Sudbury Guitar Trio with the Guitars Alive Orchestra and community guitar ensembles, Sudbury Secondary School, 7 p.m., $20/door, $15/advance.
June 9 – Christine Tassan et les Imposteures, Grace Hartman Amphitheatre, 7 p.m., free.

Tickets are available from Black Cat, Cosmic Dave's, Jett Landry, Dupont's Guitar Shop, Guitar Clinic, Prom Music and Octave Music.