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Guy Van Duser & Billy Novick Celebrating 50 Years Performing Together
Saturday, September 20 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
$38 (The total listed fee includes services charges)
“Guy…has practically invented a finger-picked guitar style, closer to jazz piano than guitar. Billy Novick, on clarinet, had he lived in the 30’s would be a legend….”Boston Globe
About this Show: This is our 25th anniversary show (A little bit late but we finally pulled it off). Guy Van Duser was the first artist we called to play Boulevard Music in 1998. Why, because his fingerstyle arrangements are inventive, beautiful, and like nobody else. This ultimately led to the album Guy Van Duser Live at Boulevard Music which is a classic recording with fabulous playing and amazing arrangements by Guy. This is the first time we are able to have his long time partner of 50 years, Billy Novick, make the journey from Boston with Guy to play at the Boulevard. Don’t miss these two masters of their instruments for the first time together on the West Coast.—Gary Mandell
About the Artists:
“Elegant.” “Riveting.” “Soulful.” “Classic mastery.” These are a few of the terms that have been used to describe the unique and stunning swing-jazz music of acoustic guitarist Guy Van Duser and clarinetist Billy Novick.
Together as a duo going strong into their 50th year together – longer than most marriages- Guy and Billy have performed in concerts, clubs and festivals all over North America and Europe.
And like a good marriage, their music has wed together two perfectly suited musical personalities. You may have heard them as frequent guests of the Prairie Home Companion show (6 times!!), providing theme songs for the PBS shows This Old House and Antiques Roadshow (that’s them playing the theme and more), NPR’s All Things Considered, or on one of the numerous film and television soundtracks they have been featured on. Their music is based around Guy’s innovative finger-style guitar wizardry, playing bass, chords and melodies all at the same time. His inspiring imagination and virtuosity are perfectly complemented by Novick’s soulful and lyrical clarinet playing. Deeply rooted in the rich legacy of the classic jazz age and buoyed by their entertaining and humorous stage manner, the “two-man big band” can play a Gershwin song or an old blues and immediately have it sound fresh and unique.
With his daring imagination, breathtaking technique, and his wonderful musicality, Guy has become an inspiration for guitarists all over the world. To some guitarists, Guy Van Duser is known only as “that guy who arranged Stars and Stripes Forever for Chet Atkins.” Chet thought Guy’s version was so great he paid him to fly to Nashville to it teach to him, which he did in Chet’s kitchen. Mr. modest Van Duser, is also head of fingerstyle guitar at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and boy are they lucky to have him as a professor.
Novick’s ever-inventive and soulful clarinet playing provides the ideal complement to Guy’s guitar. Their music sounds fresh and original, yet is also deeply rooted in the rich legacy of the classic jazz age. The duo can play any piece from their huge repertoire- an obscure Ellington tune, a Gershwin classic, or perhaps one of the their originals- and immediately have it sound their own.
The two of them together can create a pulse as driving as any big band, and they have a musical telepathy and understanding that has been honed by fifty years of playing together. Add to all of this their relaxed and engaging stage manner, and you will be treated to a musically enchanting and entertaining show that, indeed, has already stood the test of time.
“…a sound so full that it’s hard to believe only two people hold the stage.”
Calgary Herald
“They’ll stun you with the mastery of their playing…”
Birmingham (Ala.) News
Online tickets sales close at 6pm the night of the show. Any remaining tickets are for sale at Boulevard Music when doors open At 7:30pm unless noted otherwise. Tickets may also be purchased in person at Blvd Music or by phone (310) 398-2583 using a major credit card.
A $3 service charge per ticket is included in the price for online and phone orders. All ticket sales are final. They are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. For online ticket purchases, you will need to provide the ticket barcode for entry. Please print your ticket or display the barcode on your phone.
Please note all shows start at 8pm and doors open at 7:30pm unless indicated otherwise. People who already have their tickets (purchased them in advance) get in first when doors open at 7:30 pm. After the people who already have their tickets are admitted any remaining tickets will go on sale.
Please note that taking photos or any other type of recording is not allowed during performances at Boulevard Music.