“Matt plays with energy, confidence and amazing virtuosity”
Lawrence Ferrara
Concert Guitarist
“I think Matthew Grasso is one of the most original, distinctive and accomplished guitarists that I have ever heard. His technique, intensity, tonal palette, and concentration make his performances unique and unforgettable experiences”
Marc Teicholz
Concert Guitarist
“Guitarist Matthew Grasso playing Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez” plunged into the difficult work, no holds barred, and with the musical sensitivity and skill that this three-part piece required. That is, exotic Spanish dance rhythms, liveliness, desperation, sorrow and reconciliation were all expressed. Grasso’s playing was astounding.”
Marilyn Mantay
Music Critic
"Guitarist Matthew Grasso plays with such extraordinary grace and beauty that his elegant music appears to be connected with a very deep, calm, meditative state of mind. Which is why I call him a magical musician and a musical magician!"
Brad Slocum
Program Director:
Music At Noon
Westminster Church
Sacramento, CA
New CD Coming Soon
Matthew Grasso
Extended Seven String Guitar
Past, Present, and Future
A Celebration of the 7-String Guitar!
The Day Of The 7-String (July 7th, or 07-07) has come and gone! Thanks for joining us at Watermelon Music for the fourth annual celebration of 7-string guitars and beyond. A full lineup of exotic instruments was on display through an evening that expanded musical horizons. We hope to see you again next year!
Raga Guitar on the mend...
On Friday February 26th 2010, I took my Raga Guitar to the Ali Akbar College Store to have a jawari bridge installed for my sympathetic strings to give the instrument an added accent. There is a noted Indian instrument repair artist who has also done some incredible add-ons to acoustic guitars to bring the sound closer to the music of India. After seeing some of his work, I became inspired to add the jawari bridge to my instrument. At first we took a jawari bridge from a sitar to put under my sympathetic strings, and lo and behold it sounded quite good. However, the bridge needed some fine tuning, so I chose to leave the store to return in a few hours to pick up the instrument.
When I returned, it turned out that the Raga guitar was left on a work bench and somehow fell off and hit the ground. Thus cracking the face completely open and destroying the instrument. The craftsman was completely in tears and even hyperventilating. I took one look at my instrument and thought, “spiritus sanctos”.
For the time being, I remained rather zen about the situation and thought Scott Richter could rebuild this. Coincidently enough Scott lived 10 minutes from the store and I took him the guitar to examine. Scott said: “it’s just a piece of wood and I can rebuild it.” Scott is very is busy with many projects this year and is not sure when he will finish rebuilding the instrument. The craftsman offered to pay for the damages. In the meantime, I am attempting to have a just fingerboard installed on an old 6-string guitar so I don’t go through withdrawls while awaiting the return of my Raga guitar. The equal temperment is killing my ears.
Buy Matt's Albums Online
Head over to ClassicalYou to purchase the following albums online:
You can listen to clips of each track off of all these albums, so be sure to stop by!
Videos!
Check out these videos of Matt:
... also in a higher quality version.
Papamagama, featuring the Raga Guitar
part 1 | part 2 | part 3
Adagio in G minor for organ and strings
Album Review
Learn more about "Music for the Extended 7-String Guitar" in this new album review.
Article on Mel Bay's Guitar Sessions!
Check out Matt's article, "Playing the Extended 7-String Classic Guitar" on Mel Bay's website. If you're unfamiliar with the 7-string and want to know more, this is a great place to start! Also, be sure to check out an article by luthier Gregory Byers on "Construction of an Extended 7-String Guitar" . Be sure not to miss out on these excellent resources!