Join the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College for the 25th Annual North American Tour of International Guitar Night, a celebration of the world’s most innovative and diverse guitar talents, on Wednesday, February 26, at 7:30 pm. A stellar lineup featuring Niwel Tsumbu (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Lulo Reinhardt (Germany), Alexandra Whittingham (Britain), and Sönke Meinen (Germany) promises a night of breathtaking performances that encompass the global spectrum of guitar artistry.
Niwel Tsumbu, a Congolese-born, Ireland-based guitarist, blends jazz, classical, rock, folk, and rhumba into a dynamic and deeply emotive style. Praised by ‘All About Jazz’ for his “exquisite and almost seamless” global fusion, he has collaborated with artists like Nigel Kennedy, Steve Cooney, and Sinead O’Connor. His international presence grew further in 2021 with his guitar work on ‘They’re Calling Me Home’ by Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi, which won a Grammy Award.
Lulo Reinhardt, a name synonymous with World Music and his signature Latin Swing, is a guitar virtuoso with unmistakable roots. He was born in Koblenz, Germany, on December 10, 1961, and hails from the renowned Reinhardt family. Lulo was nurtured in the Sinti tradition, where Django Reinhardt’s music played a significant role. Lulo performs Latin Swing music, blending Gypsy Swing with Latin rhythms.
Alexandra Whittingham studied classical guitar, piano, jazz guitar, and composition at Chetham’s School of Music for seven years before earning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London. Upon graduating with first-class honors in 2019, she received the Timothy Gilson Guitar Prize. She later completed her master’s degree with distinction, earning both the Diploma of the Royal Academy of Music and the Regency Award. In 2021, she released ‘My European Journey’, an album celebrating nineteenth-century guitar music, which reached the top of both the iTunes Classical Chart and The Presto Chart prior to its release.
Sönke Meinen blends folk, classical, pop, jazz, and film music into a captivating and uniquely virtuosic guitar style. Whether igniting the stage with fiery pieces like ‘Sparklemuffin’ and ‘Perpetuum Mobile’ or delivering soul-stirring ballads, he transforms six strings into a full band sound. His technically dazzling and deeply expressive performances are enriched by engaging storytelling, making his concerts an unforgettable experience for all audiences—not just guitar enthusiasts.
Tickets are $45, $40, and $35. Purchase tickets online at www.durangoconcerts.com – the official ticketing source for the Community Concert Hall – or by phone at 970-247-7657. Posted ticket prices include applicable service charges. All sales are final.
The Community Concert Hall is a not-for-profit, multi-use performance venue located on the campus of Fort Lewis College. Its ability to bring a diverse spectrum of shows to Southwest Colorado is made possible through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, and financial and in-kind contributions from generous community members.