 The Smithsonian’s Blue Guitars continue to wow audiences By Cindy Benedetto and Greg Skavhaug The continuing success of the "Blue Guitar" exhibition was extolled once again at yet another sold-out concert featuring jazz virtuoso Martin Taylor and well-known rock guitarist Steve Howe at the Smithsonian’s Carmichael Auditorium on January 28th. The concert was the second in an ongoing series being performed in honor of the 22 stunning blue archtop guitars from the Chinery Collection currently on display at the Smithsonian’s Museum of American History. Preceding the concert was an interview with foremost archtop guitarmaker Robert Benedetto and Canadian maker Linda Manzer. Both luthiers were asked a variety of questions regarding their painstaking and beautiful art by popular National Public Radio personality Tom Cole, whose G-Strings show has aired in the D.C. area for over 20 years. All three enjoyed a comfortable banter to the delight of the audience who were further satisfied when the two makers fielded questions from the crowd. Benedetto praised Scott Chinery, owner of the Collection: "Scott was perceptive enough to give a few guidelines to the makers of the blue guitars, giving us the chance to be innovative." Linda Manzer thanked Chinery; "whose vision and concept made this celebration of the art of lutherie possible." Martin Taylor opened the concert performance by playing the Benedetto La Cremona Azzurra with a series of intriguing fingerstyle arrangements of jazz and pop standards, including "Mona Lisa", "My Funny Valentine" and "I Got Rhythm". Masterfully played, "[Taylor’s] remarkably fluid tough imbued several pieces with a seamless beauty", said noted Washington Post music critic Mike Joyce. Steve Howe played his rare Martin flattop on tunes including "Masquerade" and "I Stole Along The Way", rousing the audience to tap their toes along at one point, and then joined Martin for the final set on several of the other blue guitars. Check out some photos from the event. The "Blue Guitar" exhibition and concert series have been supported by a gift from The Chinery Collection.
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