Ciara Moynihan
Jacques Stotzem, is one of the less-obvious gems on this year’s Westport Arts Festival line-up. An acoustic guitarist renowned for his diversified finger-style, he will perform on Friday night, September 30, in the Westport Town Hall Theatre.
You might not have heard of him, but this musician is so good he’s had his own guitar named after him. In 2006, famous US guitar manufacturer Martin Guitar began producing the OMC Jacques Stotzem Custom Signature Model. Hard to imagine a stronger affirmation of talent than that. “Jacques Stotzem’s finger-style work leaves audiences stunned. With just a single guitar, this Belgian musician performs the work of entire orchestras, jazz quartets, and rock groups,” the company explains.
Stotzem’s unique and highly refined playing style, his melodic sense and harmonic knowledge, and his dynamic approach to the instrument have won him enormous respect. Born in 1959 in Verviers, the prolific Belgian guitarist is a regular at European and US festivals, and is often invited to tour in Asia.
Among the most popular of his 14 CDs are the two volumes of ‘Catch the Spirit’, acoustic arrangements of songs by such artists as Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana and Neil Young. His new album, ‘To Rory’—an acoustic instrumental tribute to Rory Gallagher—is already getting rave reviews all over the world.
Stotzem’s Westport performance will include both his own compositions and arrangements of rock classics. For guitar lovers, this is a gig that should simply not be missed.
Jacques Stotzem will perform as part of Westport Arts Festival at 8.30pm in the Westport Town Hall Theatre. Shane Hingerton will provide the support. Admission €15. Bookings and more information at www.westportartsfestival.com, where the entire festival line-up of music, theatre, literary events, comedy, visual arts and family fun, can also be found.
