Just announced for a socially distant and seated show. All tickets must be purchased by the table in groups of 4,5 or 8 guests per table. Tickets on sale this Friday, March 26th 10am!
Tommy Emmanuel, CGP
“Songs are our teachers. They show us the depth of the human race
and its unrelenting desire to create.” — Tommy Emmanuel
Anytime you talk to any of Tommy Emmanuel’s fans, whether musicians or civilians, invariably
they will speak of not one but two qualities that define his greatness. The first, predictably, is his
extraordinary guitar playing. Considered by those in the know to be among this planet’s greatest
guitarists, his playing is simply miraculous, as it would take three musicians, or more, to do what
Tommy does solo. Who else, for example, when playing “Day Tripper,” can lay down the
rhythm part, dig into the riff and sing the melody all at once on just one acoustic guitar?
Which brings us to the other aspect of his music always mentioned, and without which the first
might not be as powerful or as infectiously appealing: the joy. Yes, joy. Because it’s one thing to
play these multi-dimensional arrangements flawlessly on an acoustic guitar. But to do it with that
smile of the ages, that evidence of authentic, unbridled delight, is an irresistible invitation to feel
his music as deeply as he does. “The joy, he says, “is there always because I’m chasing it through
music. Seeing the surprise in peoples’ eyes is worth living and working for… I can’t help but play
to the people with all my heart, which is overflowing with joy of being in that moment that I’ve
worked all my life for. And here it is!”
Although his expression is instrumental, he comes to the guitar much more like a vocalist,
positively singing melodies through the strings. He inhabits the tunes he performs, delivering
every nuance and turn of phrase. His own songs are also illuminated always with lyrical
melodies that go right to the heart, such as his beautiful ode to his daughter, “Angelina,” or his
great “story without words,” “Lewis & Clark.” That they resonate so deeply without words
makes sense, as words only go so far. But music, coming from a genuine and joyful source, can
go so much farther. Now with The Best of Tommy songs, he brings us a complete collection of his
own songs, all rich with ripe melodicism and rendered with joy in real-time.
“When I was a kid, I wanted to be in show business. Now, I just want to be in the happiness
business. I make music, and you get happy. That’s a good job.” –Tommy Emmanuel
