The music on this recording is one of place. Each of these composers has found his voice in a combination of the grooves, lyricism, sensibilities, and techniques from the American and classical guitar traditions. Their unique and distinctive sounds have the ability to tap into emotional and personal memory, and at the same time, reflect the broader American experience. New York City-based guitarist/composer Benjamin Verdery is known for his ability to weave in and out of vernacular and classical idioms, evoking his own multi-stylistic musical roots. Bryan Johanson expresses the character of the Pacific Northwest in a voice that is clever, inventive, and honest. New Yorker David Leisner writes art music that expresses the dignity and joy of our country’s most cherished folk themes. The only non-guitarist represented, Robert Honstein explores the sounds of his adopted Austin, TX - “guitar town, USA”. Though based in LA, Andrew York’s music is the essence of the American sound - singable melodies and subtle harmonic shifts supported by a classical form and a rhythmic groove. My arrangement is influenced by collaborations with my favorite blues and folk guitarists. As an interpreter, I was drawn to each of these pieces both sonically and emotionally. In the time I’ve played them, each work has come to feel like an old or new friend. To varying degrees, I’ve had the privilege to know each composer and am grateful for the personal insight and artistic room they have contributed to my playing. It has been a joy to find within each work a common root, a common feeling - a common ground. Bio With performances that are deeply personal and express a breadth of tradition, guitarist Kim Perlak has been recognized as an inspired voice in new American music. Her playing was praised by The Austin-American Statesman as, “thoughtful, enchanting, vivid...a songwriter’s circle without the lyrics,” and by another Austin reviewer as, “moving...the most patriotic thing I’ve experienced in many months.” Kim’s versatile and inclusive approach to the instrument embraces new composition, scholarship, and public service. Her performances of new classical works and collaborations with jazz and traditional players have been featured on National Public Radio, at the Yale Guitar Extravaganza, on CBS Sunday Morning, and in concert halls across the nation. Her work combining performance, American music history, and outreach has been funded through grants from The Carolina Institute for Leadership and Engagement in Music, The Center for African American Southern Music, and the Yale Alumni Ventures program. The 2011 project in her series, “Music-History-Service” was honored by the PBS program “From the Top” as part of their Arts Leadership series and was officially recognized by the House of Representatives. Kim has served on the faculty, written curriculum, and directed programs for Concordia University-TX, The National Guitar Workshop, Austin Community College, and the Educational Outreach Program of the Austin Classical Guitar Society. She holds degrees from The University of Texas at Austin (DMA ’08), Yale University School of Music (MM ’01), Stetson University (BM ’98). Kim Perlak plays guitars by Thomas Humphrey and exclusively uses D’Addario Strings.