New Video! Sierra’s Sonata para Guitarra (1st mvmt)

Sometimes classical guitar just sounds too ‘pretty’. Life isn’t always peaches and cream and it feels good to hear some new sounds on the guitar. Roberto Sierra composed the 4-movement Sonata para Guitarra. Here is the first movement – a piece in a traditional ‘Sonata Form’ but the harmonies and rhythms are far from ‘traditional’ – or I should say they are part of the new tradition of the 2nd Viennese school perhaps (look it up)

Wishing you health and safety

For online music lessons, email me via the contact form

New Video! Klezmer Medley on Oud

Here is a collection of klezmer bulgar tunes played on the oud. Really and truly, most klezmer melodies are mashups of other melodies, but many of these mashed up melodies coalesce and crystallize under the authorship of a composer like Abe Schwartz or clarinet virtuoso Naftule Brandwein. Others have more generic titles like the first tune, Odessa Bulgar. It is followed by Naftule’s Bulgar, and then Abe Schwartz’ Bulgar.

Thanks to Jonno Lightstone for being a prolific chart-writer of klezmer tunes!

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New Video! Canto de Ossanha Live!

Brazil has been home to many incredible guitarists including Baden Powell, the writer of Canto de Ossanha. Would he have approved of our version? No one knows… Are we grateful for the music he brought into this world? Heck ya!

This was recorded live at Lula Lounge in Toronto, 2016 with Jon McMurray on Cajon and Ken McDonald on Bass. Thanks to everyone that made it out to that special night!

For online music lessons, email me via the contact form

New Video! Kicking Routine Remix

Stay fit!
No question about it, kicking feels good.

Music is “In the Beginning” (Guillotine Remix) by Piyari – check out his SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/realpyari

In the Beginning is off The Mighty Cedar (2011) available on bandcamp:
http://erezsussman.bandcamp.com

And for some real karate training, check out Ronin Kai Karate:
https://roninkai.com/

Be Healthy y’all!

New Video! Tarantelle by JK Mertz

Dance the pain away! That’s what the Italian Tarantelle (or commonly spelled Tarantella) is all about – though this composition by maestro JK Mertz is a virtuosic showpiece of the classical era. Lots of hope and love going out to those in Italy currently struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully you will all be out dancing together once more soon enough.

For online music lessons, reach me via the contact form.

New Video! Pueblo Nuevo as played by Buena Vista Social Club (original arrangement for guitar!)

I was such a fan of this song that I wrote a guitar arrangement. Made popular outside of Cuba largely by Buena Vista Social Club, you may have heard me perform Pueblo Nuevo live in the past. I also tried a new format for this clip after people told me they want to know more about the music – let me know what you think!


Have a great week!


For online music lessons, message me via the contact form

New Video! Lagrima by Francisco Tarrega

Is it cheesy that I’m posting this one??? Yes, this is a classic of the classical guitar – as it should be. A sweet little ditty by the great maestro Tarrega.

Have a great weekend and be healthy y’all!

For online music lessons, message me via the contact page