The International Finger-Style Guitar Festival,a series of international fingerstyle guitar concerts, an annual Asia event since 2010, with participation of famous fingerstyle guitarists, from many different countries will come to the Youth Theatre, 11 Ngo Thi Nham, Hanoi on July 18 and HCMC Conservatory of Music, 112 Nguyen Du Street, Dist 1, HCM City on July 19.

The festival will bring artists from many countries to Vietnam. Among the artists who will perform in Vietnam this time are Justin King (USA), Jacques Stotzem (Belgium), Agustin Amigo (Germany), Akihiro Tanaka (Japan) and Duy Phong (Vietnam).

Recognized as a pioneering guitarist for his percussive “tapping” playing style which consists of a variety of influences ranging from Flamenco to Celtic music, Justin King is believed to bring the satisfaction to audience through his skillful performance. 

In the acoustic guitar world today, Jacques Stotzem is one of the “fingerstyle” guitarists with the most diverse style. 

His unique and highly refined playing style combines a well-developed melodic sense with a rare dynamic approach to the instrument that speaks directly to the listener. 

Jacques, unlike many guitar players today, possesses an in-depth sense of harmonic knowledge, which is evident throughout his compositions. 

“Soulful performance, touching and beautiful” (SMU Broadcast & Entertainment Singapore) is exactly what Agustin’s performance is about. 

“Amigo has a great clarity in the voicing of his music. He has his own distinct style that makes it enjoyable to listen to but also a tremendous quality of sound coming through his guitar and setup, as notes blend into certain notes and others fade creating a great flow and feel” (Amazon). 

As Yamaha Music’s Demo Artist, Akihiro Tanaka has been recognized through his hits “Silver Wings”, “Etude of the Sun” and other wonderful covers. 

His guitar arrangements are a combination of smooth chord changes, catchy grooves and prominent bass lines.

A young and talented Vietnamese guitarist who shared the same stage with guitar sensation Sungha Jung at his concert in Vietnam 2014, Duy Phong has a calm and soulful playing style with creative arrangements. He is part of the future for Vietnam’s fingerstyle guitar. 

PV