Folks, it was a full house of gigs last week and I clocked a bunch of miles in the Element. Big fun!

One of the most unique moments happened after playing a fund-raising event for visual artist Jim Hubble and his Ilan-Lael Foundation. Just when you think the evening is winding down, Anne, Jim’s wife, organized a group of us to partake in some good ol’ fashioned folk dancing. We moved the tables out of the way and then she kick-started her ancient cassette boom box to cue up “Edelweiss.” From there she mapped out the steps and we proceeded to sway into the evening, dancing with Jim Hubbell. Hilarious and beautiful all at the same time!

For this week I’m thrilled to drive up the hill to Julian to play a show tonight with guitarist Fred Benedetti. We’ll be at the Julian Library and it’ll be great to share the sound with the good folks of Apple Town. Hope to see you there!

Up in the big lights! This is from a few years back when we took over Fallbrook with our 2003 World Tour. Next stop, Blythe!
photo by Fred Benedetti

For Thursday it’s solo guitar travels at the Roxy in Encinitas.  Always organic, always friendly.


A month or so back we played a concert in Encinitas highlighting the music of the Beatles from the vantage point of our jazz and Brazilian roots. It was a great show and we’re doing it again this week on Saturday night. Check out what a few folks had to say about the last concert:

I attend several concerts every month and have for the last 30 years. I have to say that this is one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. Peter Sprague knows how to pick stellar musicians – who make his brilliant arrangements come to life. I plan to go to his next Beatles concert and will happily play $25 to hear him. It just couldn’t have been better and several friends I invited said the same thing. One couple in their 70’s and music aficionados – said it was the best concert they’d ever been to.
- Sally

The music was fantastic. I think the theme of the concert also introduced some non-jazz fans to the music in a very accessible way - and that's always a good thing. The crowd was so enthusiastic and really seemed to enjoy your version of those very well-loved songs. It's a real talent to pull that off with such familiar tunes but you and your group did a fabulous job.
-  Ron

So if this sounds good we’d love to have you there. Look below for the details. Across the Universe along the Long and Winding Road!

Here is the band photo from the last Beatles gig. We're smiling (at least most of us are) so you know somethings going right!
photo by Rick Sokol

And peeking around the corner into next week I’ll join pianist Geoffrey Keezer and his all-star group at the Neurosciences Institute for a concert on Monday night. It’s billed as Geoffrey Keezer’s "40 -ish" Birthday Concert and he’s bringing together some great players and beautiful music to celebrate a moment in a fantastic sounding concert hall. Can’t wait! Look below for the fine print.

looping it back, Peter

 

Tuesday May 3, 2011   Peter Sprague
and Fred Benedetti
Julian Library
1850 Highway 78
Julian, CA 92036

details
Peter Sprague — guitar
Fred Benedetti — guitar
  6 PM   Fred and I will make the drive to share some of the cool moves we know on the guitar with the good people of Julian. Apple pie for the intermission I'm hoping! See ya there...

Thursday May 5, 2011   Peter Sprague
Plays Solo
 
The Roxy Restaurant
517 S. Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA
760-436-5001
Peter Sprague — guitar
  7 PM   The earth has spun another revolution around the sun and to follow in the spirit of change, I've changed my guitar strings. Solo sonic explorations at the world famous Roxy in Encinitas!

Saturday May 7, 2011   Peter Sprague
Plays the Beatles
 

Museum of Making Music
5790 Armada Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
details

Peter Sprague — guitar
Kevyn Lettau — vocals
Matt Falker — vocals
Tripp Sprague — sax and flute
John Opferkuch — keyboards
Gunnar Biggs — bass
Duncan Moore — drums
  7 PM   We had such a great time recently presenting this program! Take some of the best songs in the world and let 'em loose with some jazz musos and some interesting sounds surface. Can't wait!

Monday May 9, 2011   Geoffrey Keezer's
"40 -ish" Birthday Concert
The Neurosciences Institute
10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive
La Jolla, CA
Call 858.454.5872 to reserve tickets
details
Geoffrey Keezer — piano
Ran Blake — saxophone
Bob Hurst — bass
Terreon Gully — drums
Julia Dollison — voice
Peter Sprague — guitar
  8 PM   Keezer is an amazing pianist and can't wait to hear what he's dreaming up for this gig. I know I'm playing on a couple of tunes and it'll be a joy to hear all of it...

Friday, May 13, 2011   Peter Sprague
and Tripp Sprague
 
Ki's Restaurant
2591 South Highway 101
Cardiff, CA
760-436-5236
Peter Sprague — guitar
Tripp Sprague — sax and flute
  8:30 PM   Come and hang with us for some incredible food plus music overlooking the ocean. Big fun!

Saturday, May 14, 2011   Peter Sprague
and Blurring the Edges
239 South Kalmia Street
Escondido, CA
92025
760-839-4329
details
Peter Sprague — guitar
Fred Benedetti — guitar
Tripp Sprague — sax, flute and percussion
  3 PM   I'm thrilled to play an afternoon show at the Library in Escondido. It's free to the public and it'd be great to see you there.

Saturday, May 14, 2011   Peter Sprague
and Kevyn Lettau
 
Ki's Restaurant
2591 South Highway 101
Cardiff, CA
760-436-5236
Peter Sprague — guitar
Kevyn Lettau — vocals
  8:30 PM   Kevyn and I expressing sound in the duo format.

Sunday, May 15, 2011   Peter Sprague
String Consort and the
San Diego North Coast Singers
Peter and the Kids!
Sherwood Auditorium
San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art
700 Prospect Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
details
tickets
Peter Sprague — guitar
Bob Magnusson — bass
Duncan Moore — drums
Jeanne Skrocki — violin
Kate Hatmaker — violin
Pam Jacobson — viola
Carter Dewberry — cello
and around 40 teenage singers!
  4 PM   This is a big event for us. I was commissioned to compose a piece for the NC Singers plus my string group and I spent a month figuring out what would work. I love the piece and this will be the world premier of "Calling Me Home: Suite". It's a big piece and it takes us on a wonderful journey. You've got to hear it!

Thursday May 19, 2011   Peter Sprague
Plays Solo
 
The Roxy Restaurant
517 S. Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA
760-436-5001
Peter Sprague — guitar
  7 PM   The earth has spun another revolution around the sun and to follow in the spirit of change, I've changed my guitar strings. Solo sonic explorations at the world famous Roxy in Encinitas!

Saturday May 21, 2011   Peter Sprague and
Steph Johnson
 
San Diego Folk Heritage Society
San Dieguito United Methodist Church
170 Calle Magdalena
Encinitas, CA 92024
details
Peter Sprague — guitar
Steph Johnson — vocals and guitar
Tripp Sprague — sax, flute and percussion
  7:30 PM   Thrilled to be connected with soulful Steph Johnson on vocals and brother Tripp on sax. We're drumming up some new music and looking forward to a cool night of music.

Thursday May 26, 2011   Peter Sprague
Plays Solo
 
The Roxy Restaurant
517 S. Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA
760-436-5001
Peter Sprague — guitar
  7 PM   The earth has spun another revolution around the sun and to follow in the spirit of change, I've changed my guitar strings. Solo sonic explorations at the world famous Roxy in Encinitas!

Thursday June 2, 2011   Peter Sprague
Plays Solo
 
The Roxy Restaurant
517 S. Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA
760-436-5001
Peter Sprague — guitar
  7 PM   The earth has spun another revolution around the sun and to follow in the spirit of change, I've changed my guitar strings. Solo sonic explorations at the world famous Roxy in Encinitas!

 

For my complete performance schedule click here.

To view this email online click here.

Click here to visit my website. It's pretty cool complete with the whole story, recordings and books, and some new videos.

By continuing to receive these emails from me, you agree to receive future emails. You want to be on the "list". If you do not wish to receive future emails, please ask to be removed by replying to this message with "bail me out" in the subject line. I'll briskly take you off my list. No ill feelings instilled.


This is my most recent recording.
Click here for more info and to listen to the tracks.