Classical Guitar Around the World

Join classical guitarist Rene Izquierdo and Kevin Collins on a journey through the world of the classical guitar. At an early age, Rene escaped Cuba and went on to chair the guitar department at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Traveling the world, spreading the message of freedom, one note at a time. Rene recently released a new cd of the music of his homeland called Cuba en al Alma (Baros Records), or Cuba in the Soul. Rene says, I wanted to play pieces away from the beaten path, ones that showed a different and more intimate side of Cuban music. Join us as we sample the flavors and textures of the classical guitar as played by Rene Izquierdo and his wife guitarist Elina Chekan, with a guest appearance by Millet Padrón, on Classical Guitar Around the World with Kevin Collins.

Meet classical guitarist Michael Nix and discover the American Banjar, a re-invention of the classical guitar and the European banjo traditions of the 1800's. How does a classically trained musician go from violin and piano to the classical guitar and then make the leap to inventing a truly American classical tradition? And make a life for himself and his family in the process. Find out what it takes to become a truly unique person, while serving your community. Michael's new CD of new music composed for the American banjar will be released on the Naxos label.

Join Leonard Becker and Kevin Collins, talking about the great cleansing force of Democracy and music in our modern world. Hear about Leonard journey to making this fantastic new cd, full of happy playing and a completely new take on a guitar standard. Hear about Leonard's experience as a graduate of the Hochschule in Munich, Germany, located in the original office build of the Third Reich, and now being cleansed by music.

Classical Guitarist David Tanenbaum talks to host Kevin Collins about his life with the guitar and the experience of giving birth to new musical works for the guitar. Hear him talk about making his new CD, Double Echo, and the 40 years of work and fun that got him here. Find out more about David at http://davidtanenbaum.com/