Strong performs in blues, jazz guitar fest

by Courtney Bullard, co-associate editor

 

Aspiring guitar musicians from South Plains College and the community gathered to improve their playing skills and to watch a performance by renowned musician Clint Strong at the first Jazz and Blues Guitar Festival.

Strong amazed the audience with his technical and accurate playing skills. He made incredible difficult songs seem effortless.

Strong said he got his start when he was a little boy around 9 years old. His dad played guitar as a hobby and allowed Strong to receive lessons. He mostly played jazz and didn’t attempt to play rock music until he was 15.

 Even then, he said he sounded like a jazz musician trying to play rock music.  A bassist and a drums musician who were equally impressive accompanied him.

Although the trio had never played together before, they sounded like they had been playing for years. The band proved their diversity when an audience member requested a song and Strong wrote out the music on stage for the rhythm section.

Strong is from Fort Worth and has been a professional musician for about 30 years. He said he tours with his act all around and you can often find his band putting on a show in Fort Worth most nights. Strong added that he really enjoys playing for students.

“I feel like it’s one of the most rewarding and satisfying things that I get to do, because nothing is greater than young students that are interested in learning,” said Strong. “It’s great and unbelievable to have a college here, and I tell you what, it sure is a blessing. More people should know about this place. I’m certainly impressed.”

Michael Christiansen was another guest musician who attended the festival. He presented a clinic called “The History of Bossa Nova” where those who attended the festival were able to learn Bossa Nova and Samba playing techniques, both styles of Brazilian music.

Christiansen is from Utah State University, which is located in Logan, Utah. He has written 30 books on guitar and studied Bossa Nova in Rio, Brazil. His clinic, as well as the others, allowed guitar students of all skill levels to learn and be exposed to music they otherwise would not be exposed to.

“These kids come in and learn about blues or improve from these people who have done it,” Christiansen said. I mean, it’s not things they’ve read in articles. They actually do it. They’re professionals, and they’re doing an amazing job. Like the stuff I talked about today, you either go to Rio or you come to this workshop.”

Brent Wheeler and his wife Emily organized the event. It included SPC staff members Steve Williams, Mike Carraway, Joe Carr, and Mark Wallney.

“It was a success,” said Wheeler. “ We’re very happy with participants, and we’re very happy with everyone who contributed to the event.”