Thanks for coming to my homepage. It has been brought to my attention that my email contact form has not been working correctly for some time, even though it appeared to the sender that their message went through without any problems. Unfortunately, it seems I haven't been able to receive emails from my website for an undetermined period! If you have emailed me and I have not responded, it is not for lack of interest. PLEASE resend the email. I would love to hear from you! I have resolved this situation and things now work correctly. You can use my contact form and I will receive your emails. Sorry for any inconveniences this may have caused. I hope you enjoy your visit. Sincerely, Andrew
Canadian guitarist Andrew Mah is widely regarded for his virtuosity and fine musicality. He was born in Ottawa into a family of guitarists and from a very early age was exposed to the best of classical guitar music. His first instructor (outside the family) was Ottawa guitarist Garry Elliot, with whom he started in 1985.
He has performed professionally for the last 15 years,
touring France in 1990 with the ensemble Guitares Nouvelle France and premiering
some of the earliest work of Canadian guitarist/composer Patrick Roux. He
concertizes regularly in Canada and abroad and has been a prize winner in
competition at both the national and international level.
His formal studies took place at Canterbury High School for the Arts, University of Toronto with Norbert Kraft and the Conservatoire de Musique du Quebec in Hull with Patrick Roux. In addition, he has participated in numerous master classes with many other world-renowned musicians. (David Russell, Manuel Barrueco, David Tanenbaum, Sergio Assad etc.)
Andrew's debut CD was
released in 2001. " Presenting Andrew Mah" has received rave reviews
for its technical brilliance and unique style. It has received regular radio
play across Canada on CBC and reached #8 on the CUIT charts. This recording
has sold internationally via the internet and has resulted in exposure in
many different countries. His second CD of Brazilian choro guitar will be
released in fall 2005.
Along with his solo activities, Andrew is an avid arranger and ensemble musician who enjoys transcribing and arranging complex music by ear. His arrangements for string orchestra have been performed for the PM of Portugal, Premier of China, General Pervez Musharraf, South African President Thabo Mbeki , US President George Bush, and Kofi Annan. They have been performed in Spain as well as Canada. To hear midi renderings of some of his work, please click here.
As well as classical and modern erudite composers he enjoys world music from all cultures and is currently focusing on the study of Cape Verdean popular music, and Brazilian choro guitar. He takes special pleasure in collaborations with composers who blend erudite and world music genres.
He was recently invited by the Governor General of Canada as featured
soloist at her Performing Arts Award ceremony, and in *2005 was the first
musician from the Americas ever to tour the Republic of Cape Verde.
*Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts
To listen to Vasco Martins' Molto Continuum, click here. (dedicated to Andrew Mah)
For other clips of Andrew's solo performances, debut CD. and upcoming second CD click here
Presenting Andrew Mah !!SOLD OUT!!
La Catedral
-Preludio(saudade)
-Andante religioso
-Allegro Solemne
Music by Vasco Martins
Music by Patrick Roux
Music by Roddy Ellias
'Emptying' Sonata for Guitar (dedicated to Andrew Mah)
Calm
Shuffle Boogie
Chorale
Dancing
New Live excerpt:
Bonus track 1:
Maria by Francisco Tarrega
Bonus track 2:
Adelita by Francisco
Tarrega
Bonus track 3:
(with new guitar by J. Mah)
Andante
(from Violin Sonata 2)
J.S. Bach arr. A. Mah)
Live clips below :
Cantico (from 5 pieces from Venezuala)
Invierno
Porteno
Verano Porteno
(Astor Piazzolla arr. A. Mah)
PURCHASE:
Andrew's CD "Presenting Andrew Mah" features the music of Barrios, Paganini, and Aguado. It's currently available. If you would like to purchase from us directly, email us and we will contact you with details within 24 hours . You can pay by cash, cheque or money order. Otherwise it's available in stores or online as listed below. Check the 'shows' link for details on concerts and other appearances in your area. Also look for Andrew on TV and radio promoting this finely crafted recording.
RETAIL OUTLETS CARRYING 'Presenting Andrew Mah'
CD Warehouse
1383 Clyde Ave
Nepean, Ontario
PH: 613-225-9027
CD Warehouse
1717 St. Laurent Blvd.
Ottawa, Ontario
PH: 613-523-1010
CD Warehouse
499 Terry Fox Dr.
Kanata, Ontario
PH: 613-599-4700
Ottawa Folklore Center
1111 Bank St
Ottawa,Ontario
PH: 613-730-2887
Compact Music
785 and 1/2 Bank St. (Glebe area)
Ottawa, Ontario
PH:233-8922
The Madrigal
620 Richmond Street,
London,Ontario
PH: 519-438-3474.
(or order online from their website)
The Leading Note
70 Elgin st. Suite #2
Ottawa,Ontario
PH: 613-569-7888
Metro Music
695 Bank St.
Ottawa, Ontario
PH: 233-9688
You Tube Videos: Scroll down and click on the 'play' button
1. Jongo by Bellinati
2. Jorge do Fusa by Garoto
3. Valse sem nome by Baden Powell
4. Sons de Carrilhões by Joao de Pernambuco
Under construction
Friendly professional instruction of the highest quality tailored to the
needs and interests of each individual. Over 20 years of experience.
Specialties:
- classical guitar
- RCM exam preparation
- university audition preparation
Also teach:
- rock guitar
- Brazilian guitar
- beginner/intermediate jazz guitar
- fingerstyle technique
- reading standard notation / music theory
- improvisation
- ear training / musicianship
Rate: $30 per half hour, $50 full hour
Contact Andrew for more information.
For a printable PDF full version of the presskit click here. Includes one photo, long bio, short bio, , one sample program etc. (if you need the highest resolution photo please download below instead)
Bio: (doc format-includes reviews/quotes)
Bio (longer 377 words and comments/reviews)
Bio (short 247 words and comments/reviews)
Bio (short-french no comments/reviews)
Photos
5x7dt.tif |
8x10dt.tif |
8x10closed.tif |
Other photos
Tux
Headshot BWtif 8x10 (6.5mb)
Older photo (tif 6.9 mb)
Sample programs:
(many more programs and combinations are available all Bach, Barrios etc)
- please inquire)
Program
1(mixed/recital)
Program 2(Canadian-Brazilian-Cape Verdean) Program
3 (Brazilian)
Technical requirements:
Armless chair of normal height. (Stool not acceptable).
Microphone and PA may be necessary depending on the specific circumstance
of performance.
Please inquire. Small diaphraghm cardiod condenser mic preferred if possible.
(AKG 451 or ULS series are
my favorite for guitar)
Lighting must be of stage type adequate to highlight a solo performer, but need not be a full professional lighting rig. In church venues, the standard existing stage lights are usually fine.
News articles-press clippings:
Personal Facts:
-Andrew performs concerts on guitars built by his father.
Check out his latest new guitar here.
-Andrew executed all sound engineering, production and mastering on 'Presenting
Andrew Mah'.
Interesting music and instrument related links:
Toronto
Guitar Symposium (March 7-9/03) masterclasses and concerts
AMGUSS (June 2003) Study with Andrew Mah at the American Mandolin and Guitar
Summer School
CD Baby
Canadian Musician Online
Clavier Baroques
Quebec
City Summer Festival
Stew Mac Guitar parts
Ultrasound Acoustic Guitar Amplifiers
Guitar Solo Publications
Astor Piazzolla site
Sherry Brenner/Guitarra Magazine
Guitar Foundation of America
WorldGuitarist
brantford folk Club
Glenn Gould Studio
The Twelfth Fret
Stafford Guitar Centre
Toronto Guitar Society
New Guitar
Local Music Directory:A
directory of musician and music business website links organized by category
Guitar Strings by Smart Sounds
: A large and fantastic choice of strings for all instruments
You Can Play Guitar: Free daily
guitar and bass guitar lessons. Purchase video instructionals and tab books
online. Visit our music store today! Hosted by Billboard top rated instructor
Scott Morris.
Musicians:
Marilynn Mair-
world's finest classical mandolin player.
John Goulart
Karl Wohlwend
Jorge Morel/Cheska Music
Rico Stover and Querico Publications
Randall Avers
Victor Villadangos
Nick Goluses
Andrew York
Jeff Mcfadden
Ivan Rijos
Duo46
RemiBoucher
Norbert Kraft
Canadian Guitar Quartet
David Russell
Manuel Barrueco
Dale Kavanaugh
The Assad Family
Martha Masters
John Williams
Margarita Garcia Escarpa
The Astor Duo
The Eden Stell Duo
Non Classical:
Luthiers:
Oskar Graf
Paulino Bernabe
Greg Byers
Ottawa Music Links:
Tammy Raybould
Jan Jarvlepp
John Armstrong
Roddy Elias
Norteno
Sue Foley
Alain Morier
Ottawa Folklore Center
Patrick Cardy
Richard Todd's opus pocus
Colin Mills
Rasputins
Michael Murray
Tom McMahon
Website tools:
Sage-Queen
of buttons
Dynamic Drive -Scripts
Non-musical links:
The Ironworks RPG site
Boxing info
National Capital Freenet
Aquarium care
Changing LINKS fun site! Randomized
surfing.
datamusic A site dedicated to music
on the net.
This is the links page for Canadian guitarist Andrew Mah.
To go to his homepage click here.
This is the 'Bear' page for Canadian guitarist Andrew Mah. To go to his homepage click here.
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Hi everyone! I'd like to introduce you to my latest new guitar, 'Bear'.
(listen to 'Bear' here)----( See 'Bear in action here)
This guitar has a great story behind it:
My father (who happens to be 93 years old) has been building classical guitars for many, many years (since before I was born). His workmanship has always been high quality, and they were very good instruments, but they never quite did everything I needed them to. We had many long discussions (and disagreements:) about the nature of guitars and the sound they should make.
Dad looking over 'Bear' in his tiny workshop
I have always played his guitars but from 1993 had played a concert Bernabe (pb) as my main guitar. Our talks continued over the years. I had always wanted him to try redwood tops and as luck would have it he brought out (from his packrat menagerie:) several beautifully aged redwood boards that were of excellent quality. Kevin Hall (a very fine Ottawa Valley luthier) was kind enough to cut the boards into top blanks for us. I didn't think much about it at the time, but when the guitar was done, we were flabbergasted at what a good instrument he had made. It was very loud and produced a range of color far beyond anything he had ever done. Everything just fell into place. I had been playing some of the most challenging programs I had ever done and this guitar was so easy to play, and so responsive it just fit me like a glove. I used it for my first CD release concert on Dec. 16/01 and many people commented on what a fine instrument it was and how much character it had. Unfortunately, it later sprouted some odd buzzing in the top that we could not locate, even after weeks of searching. So we decided to retop it!!!
This operation tends to change a guitar completely. We were all very nervous. I participated in this as much as possible. Together we selected another piece of well aged redwood. and set to work. I removed the rosette and bridge from the first incarnation, and dad popped off the fingerboard. After a few weeks of work, it was ready, and just in time: I wanted to play it for a concert in Toronto on May 23. I couldn't wait and wanted to put strings on for a few minutes just before we finished it. We were disappointed. It just didn't have the clout of the first one (which blew us away immediately). It was quieter, and somewhat unrefined to say the least. This disappointment lasted for about 3 days and then suddenly on the 4th day it just came alive! It just seemed like a miracle! To make a long story short I played it for that concert, and am still playing it.
Here we are setting up the action
My dad loves to build and we are all very grateful that at 87 he still has the energy, motivation and health to do this activity. The fact that he's improving his instruments so much is just a super bonus. I cant wait to hear the next one and I'll put a feature up for that one too. So anyway, scroll down for pictures and videos of us working together, click here for video clips from the May 23 concert, and here for some other live audio recordings with my new guitar, 'Bear'.
PS. "Bear" was my family nickname when I was a kid. Most of the
guitars built for my use have a little handwritten label hidden inside that
says "BEAR". This guitar suited me so well I thought it was the
most appropriate name. I'm working now on making the first labels for my dads
guitars.
All photos by Jocelyn Umengan
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Under construction
