Loren Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb share a unique musical chemistry seldom found among musicians. Their live performances feature not only their spectacular technical grasp of the guitar, but also their outstanding musicality and spontaneous creativity. The interaction between the two musicians is as much a feature of their shows as is the world-class guitar playing that they both display.
Loren and Mark first met in 2005 when they spent a few days working with the great Tommy Emmanuel at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp in Ohio. Mark was just completing his degree in classical guitar on exchange at the University of North Carolina; Loren was already a seasoned performer, but it was his first serious look at acoustic guitar.
In 2009 they met again in Nashville at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society (CAAS) convention, an international gathering of hundreds of guitarists. That was the first time they started playing together, and it set the stage for the 2010 CAAS convention where they were on the schedule of performers. Though they were not originally listed to play on the big Saturday night finale, they were added to the show due to popular demand from those who heard them throughout the week. At that show, Loren and Mark received a standing ovation, and were subsequently invited to perform concerts across the USA, and in France.
Mazengarb has now been based full time in the USA since 2012, and since then the pair have toured extensively in the USA, Canada, Europe, Russia and New Zealand, and have experienced a rapidly growing fan base. Loren and Mark have performed in many small theaters across the country, and have also appeared on notable radio programs such as NPR’s Says You, Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour, and the Nashville based TV show Inside Music Row. They have performed and toured with the Australian guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel.
Loren and Mark’s varied repertoire of original and arranged music consists of stunning guitar instrumentals as well as vocal duets, giving them a wide appeal. Their music is influenced by Americana, Jazz, Popular and Classical; their style of guitar playing is largely built upon the thumb-picking techniques pioneered by guitar greats Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed, and their songs feature Loren’s superb vocals with some beautiful harmonies from Mark.
All three of their duo albums have won SAMMY awards (Syracuse Area Music Awards) for Best Album, and the title track of their second studio album ‘Onward’ won best instrumental at the International Acoustic Music Awards in 2013.
More about Mark Mazengarb:
Mark Mazengarb (from New Zealand) began his formal musical training in Wellington New Zealand where he completed his Bachelor of Music Degree through the Conservatorium of Music, majoring in classical guitar (performance). In his final year, Mark undertook an exchange to the University of North Carolina where he discovered the world of Bluegrass and the music of guitar greats Chet Atkins, Merle Travis and Jerry Reed. Since then he has become hooked on finger-style guitar playing, and has also become a highly accomplished jazz, folk and bluegrass musician.
After graduating from University in 2006, Mark visited the USA several times where he learned from a variety of esteemed guitarists including Tommy Emmanuel. At the Auckland Folk Festival in 2008, he was the recipient of the Frank-Winter memorial Award, given to aspiring young musicians with clear musical goals. In 2010 Mark was invited with Loren Barrigar to perform as a guest artist at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society’s annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee.
Mark is now based full time in the USA where he has a busy schedule touring with his duo partner Loren Barrigar.
More about Loren Barrigar:
Loren started playing guitar when he was only four years old, and by the time he was six, he played the Chet Atkins hit “Yackety Axe” in front of thousands of country music fans at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. He went on to study with Jimmy Atkins (Chet’s brother), which led to a touring career with his family band from Nashville to Las Vegas.
Since settling in Central New York, he has been in constant demand as a studio musician and recently produced and played on the #1 rated CD in Syracuse, Dusty Pas’cal’s “Home” (2007). His finely-honed songwriting skills have launched his melodies on NBC’s hit show “ER”, The Young and the Restless, and on a Christmas CD with BB King and Patti Labelle. He has recently performed with some of the best acoustic players in the world including Steven Bennett, Richard Smith, John Knowles, Muriel Anderson, and Loren’s friend and mentor Tommy Emmanuel, the Australian guitar sensation. He has also recorded with Multiple Grammy winner and legendary producer Lloyd Maines.
For the last few years, Loren has been working on finger style guitar. His 2008 album “Dance with Me” is a result of that work, and it received a Syracuse Area Music Award for Best Country Album of 2009. He has been touring in support of his latest CD “Chillaxin” {2009] His solo concerts include favorite songs from 7 decades as well as his own original songs, all featuring exciting guitar work and memorable vocal stylings.
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