From the west of Scotland, and now Canada-based, Tony McManus is recognised globally as one of the leading guitarists in Celtic Music. While Tony is a renowned soloist, his frequent collaborations with diverse musicians have always been a significant part of his work.
Julia Toaspern is a multi-talented musician from Berlin who combines a classical training on violin and voice with a wide interest in genres such as jazz, baroque and traditional music. Julia has released two albums of original songs and has performed in both classical and singer/songwriter modes on both sides of the Atlantic. Her skills as a guitarist are prodigious and make an exciting fit with Tony's work.
Their twin guitar treatment of traditional music is unique and each supports the other in exploring the harmonic possibilities of these old, and not so old, tunes. Each of the duo flat-pick and finger-pick at the highest level but always at the service of the tune rather than a display of technique. Julia's violin can effortlessly morph into a fiddle as she weaves from Italian madrigal to Scottish reel. Her songs go to the heart of love and loss, hope and survival, and are inflected with musical input from a wide and eclectic experience of musical life.
Together, Tony and Julia will perform powerful interwoven guitar duets, sing traditional, classical and self-penned songs, and treat you to some soaring fiddle sets, all delivered with passion and commitment.
PRESS
"Tony McManus is the best Celtic guitarist in the world" (John Renbourn).
"Tony McManus is the Jeff Beck of the acoustic guitar" (Paul Reed Smith, PRS Guitars).
"McManus's playing is rave-worthy. Loaded with flawless ornamentations, most of which should only be attempted on a very well
set-up fiddle, his playing is wild and delicate, passionate and tender" (Premier Guitar).
This music is beyond beautiful, its..PERFECT! (Tommy Emmanuel).
I have no superlatives to do this justice (Dick Gaughan).
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