Javier Jara
Javier Jara is an Ecuadorian singer-songwriter who predominately sings in Spanish. He’s celebrated for his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. His music draws deeply from the folk traditions of Central and South America, blending styles and storytelling. For the performance at the Rosette, he performed songs written as odes to various Central and South American underdogs: men and women who have suffered and lived to tell their tales (all but one who died with his daughter while crossing the Rio Bravo) orally through interviews with Jara.
While I am unfamiliar with the various styles of music that dot the South American landscape, I admire bossa nova and samba. When he performed the poem for the Brazilian person, I was swaying in my seat—the rest of the music, from Fado-like compositions to Mexican ranchera, were simple folk songs.
Christabel Lin
Christabel Lin is talented and versatile, with a classical and contemporary music background. She brought a vibrant young energy to the stage. Her ability to blend different musical styles allowed her to collaborate seamlessly with Javier Jara, enhancing the overall sound with her melodic lines and technical skills.
Kayla Green
Kayla Green is another accomplished violinist with a diverse musical background, like Lin. This allows her to adapt to different genres and collaborate with various musicians. Her vibrant stage presence and skilled playing add a rich layer to any ensemble she joins.
Stephen Krishnan
Stephen Krishnan was up second and is a Grammy-nominated artist known for his exceptional guitar skills and rich musical contributions. He’s a private music teacher who taught Allen the first act for seven years.
As a long-time collaborator with the Austin Classical Guitar (ACG) community, Krishnan blends classical guitar techniques with various styles, including abstract. His artistry showcases his technical proficiency and deep connection to music as a means of expression.
His original composition for Beat poet Alan Ginsberg was a free-flowing guitar speech and rhythm of guitar, while the second part of the accompaniment was dedicated to the 1980s artist Jean Michel Basquiat. Krishnan’s colorful, textural palette of notes and repetitive brushstrokes embodied the art he admires.
Allen Liu
The young, still-in-high-school super talent Allen Liu graced us with his presence first onstage, but he deserves to be the main attraction; I hope he is soon. Taught and mentored by Stephen Krishnan, this virtuoso played a sweeping romantic composition (not sure who it is attributed to) that set me back a few hundred years. I was transported to a grassy knoll in the British Isles, weeping willows swaying in a gentle breeze in springtime. I felt young love flourishing, tender, and shy. Two young loves sat under a massive oak, embracing the wind while watching the dancing clouds composed of minor chords so sweet.
His timing and execution were masterful. Bravo! See Allen on YouTube
For more information on upcoming events, visit https://austinclassicalguitar.org/
Austin Classical Guitar’s performances are held at The Rosette, 3908 Avenue B Ste 116 Austin, 78751
Image: Javier Jara with Kayla Green (l) and Christabel Lin (R)
Photo Credit: Elise Krentzel