I’ve been excited to read an advanced copy of Colson Whitehead’s Cool Machine (Doubleday, July 2026), the final volume of his Harlem Trilogy. If you’d like to wrestle yourself away from doomscrolling by diving into … Read more…
On a sweltering July 24, 2025 evening, English singer-songwriter Tom Odell delivered an intimate showcase performance at Cherry Lane Theatre, offering a rare preview of songs from his forthcoming seventh studio album, A Wonderful Life … Read more…
Granada and the Traditional Guitar Luthier John Ray has just released a 2nd edition publication of his landmark book on guitar-makers of Granada, Spain, which should be available from DK Classical Guitars in Glasgow, Strings … Read more…
I cannot think of the last time I had a chance to read a book for fun, which is saying a lot. I was fortunate enough to land a galley for this one with the … Read more…
If you are interested in a little “nose music,” Julia’s Air & Weather Perfume is collaborating with Kiehl’s, Spaciously and Hudson Yards on Thursday, June 8th, 2023 from 4 PM to 6 PM. Come join … Read more…
The infinite scroll feature does not seem to be working on the pages, at the moment, for whatever reason. This page carries articles dating back to 2014 so if you’d like to peruse those, I … Read more…
Julia was asked recently by Book Shepherd, a new website devoted to “Discovering the Best Books,” to offer her selection of recommendations for the category of “The Best Books on What Drives an Artist.” Thank … Read more…
Julia Crowe will be performing a return engagement at Port Jeff’s Wintertide Festival March 18, 2022 at the Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson, New York, 7 PM. She will be performing an evening … Read more…
I caught this sad news today of an obituary for University of Chicago Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who devoted his life to studying the idea of happiness, which he put forth in his book Flow. Go … Read more…
This past Saturday, September 11th, Gary Lucas and Gods & Monsters performed a memorable 40th Anniversary Concert to at Poisson Rouge (in the former Village Gate location) with a variety of guest artists, which included … Read more…
In memory of My First Guitar interviewee, the spectacular guitarist, arranger and composer, Jorge Morel, who died this past week at age 89 and is survived by his beloved daughter, Francesca. Morel was a funny … Read more…
A video excerpt from Zaira Meneses‘ recent virtual concert via U.S. Classic Guitar…
Tis the season to address cuticle care. I’ve covered humidifiers for guitars but not much in the way of how winter dryness also affects the hands and fingers, particularly for guitarists whose hands require care … Read more…
Last Minute Guitarist Gifts It’s been a lot this year…an understatement, especially for musicians and live performances. My writing here is work that I’m proud of, in terms of being able to support other musicians. … Read more…
Guitarist René Izquierdo’s Stellar Cuba in His Soul René Izquierdo’s album release, Cuba en al Alma (Baros Records), “Cuba in the Soul,” is an hour-long disc featuring his favorite, selected guitar works written by 19th … Read more…
I’m sorry to convey the news that Don Witter, Jr. died this month after just making it to his 70th birthday. He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Heiderose Witter, in addition … Read more…
The Design Genius of Luthier Mark Nicol Not long ago, I’d spotted an Alessandro Michele-designed leather Gucci guitar case in the back pages of a fashion magazine with a design that reminded me of the … Read more…
When I spotted this video title, it made me laugh so I had to watch… Mark Adams, who runs the Moonrunner Music channel on Youtube, is the perfect example of someone who runs both a … Read more…
Julia Crowe is making a return engagement to the Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council Concert Series on Friday, March 13, 2020, at 7:30 PM. The concert will be held at the Port Jefferson … Read more…
If you attended The Met’s blockbuster Rock ‘n Roll guitar event in New York this year, you might be interested to know that My First Guitar: Tales of True Love and Lost Chords, features interviews … Read more…
The goal of new music is to bring something new to the table and step past conventions, which doesn’t automatically mean that listeners are going to like it. The important thing to be aware of … Read more…
I was trying to think of a freebie to offer on this page with the idea of providing readers a chance to relax and enjoy learning something new without all the holiday prompts to buy. … Read more…
Once upon a time, a prominent international concert hall performing guitarist experienced a significant nail breakage onstage, which sent a little piece of nail flying into the air like a projectile that pinged off me … Read more…
Anyone who is a fan of guitarist/composer Jorge Morel will be interested in reading his independently published biography, Jorge Morel: The Remarkable Journey of a Legendary Guitarist/Composer, written by J. Vincent Moran. The book, which … Read more…
The Americas Society presented the opening concert for the 19th New York Guitar Seminar at Mannes in celebration of composer and conductor Leo Brouwer’s 80th Birthday. The evening featured a program of music written entirely … Read more…
Julia is featured in a 5-page long interview in Issue No. 3 of 44:16, a zine written and created by David Wallens, who is also the editor of Classic Car and Motorsports. 44:16 is “an … Read more…
Guitar Maestro – The Juan Martín Collection London-based flamenco guitarist Juan Martín has released a joyful 4-CD compilation, Guitar Maestro: The Juan Martín Collection (Flamencovision), with each disc featuring a generous set of 70 minutes … Read more…
Play it Loudly: The Met Museum’s Rock Guitar Exhibit The Metropolitan Museum of Art is offering its first major exhibition of iconic rock n’ roll instruments from April 8, 2019 through October 1st. The show, … Read more…
My condolences go to Tony Acosta’s friends and family. He was the proprietor of one of the last great storefronts for classical and flamenco guitar in New York City, who managed his longtime storefront on … Read more…
Announcement of the 2019 Leo Brouwer International Composition Competition for Solo Guitar. Submission Deadline: February 20, 2019 Length of Composition: <13 minutes in length max. Format of Composition:.PDF or legibly handwritten and comprehensible. Must include … Read more…
What a way to close out the year: Dan’s Chelsea Guitar Store will remain happily ensconced within its current location at The Chelsea Hotel, continuing what will be nearly thirty years in business. Of course, … Read more…
A year or so ago, backstage at the New York Guitar Seminar at Mannes, Sharon Isbin suggested that I write about the inventor of a guitar support device. “His name is Tim Johnson, and a … Read more…
Nothing to do with guitar…but it’s a glimpse of life in the city as today closes the 92nd Annual San Gennaro Festival in New York City.
A few years ago, one of the first stories on this page featured an intrepid band of strummers and crooners who played at Conté’s Market in Yorktown on the far Upper East Side of Manhattan. … Read more…
Guitarist João Luiz Rezende, one of the founders of the acclaimed Brasil Guitar Duo, presented a lecture at the 2018 New York Guitar Seminar at Mannes this past July on Brazilian rhythms. I’d missed the … Read more…