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PIERRE BENSUSAN’S 3-CD RETROSPECTIVE
COLLECTION ‘ENCORE’ RECEIVES ‘BEST
LIVE PERFORMANCE’ NOMINATION IN THE 13^TH
ANNUAL INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS

The Renowned Contemporary World Music Guitarist
Launched His Three And a Half Month, 55-Date North American
And European Tour Saturday, March 15 at McCabe’s in Santa Monica

World renowned as the “Mozart of Guitar” for his 40-plus years of live performances and critically-acclaimed recordings, Pierre Bensusan (www.pierrebensusan.com) has received yet another accolade for Encore- an ambitious and expansive retrospective collection celebrating his 40 years as a globetrotting concert performer.

The 3-CD set is nominated for best Live Performance Album in the 13^th Annual Independent Music Awards in the U.S.

The Independent Music Awards (IMAs) is an international program that honors top ranked independent artists and releases in more than 80 Album, Song, EP, Producer, Music Video and Design categories. The IMAs were created in 1999 by Music Resource Group (MRG). The program receives submissions from previous major-label artists as well as self-released and indie label talent from more than 70 countries on six continents.

There are two parts to The Independent Music Awards: The general voting process determined by the industry and artist judging panel. Second is the Vox Populi “voice of the people” process where fans and visitors determine the winners by rating the nominees at The Vox Populi Jukebox. Voting is open to the public via the following link: http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/13th/Album/Live-Performances

Joining Bensusan in his category are Giancarlo Mazzu & Luciano Troja (Live at the Metropolitan Room NYC), Taj Weekes & Adowa (Pariah in Transit), Volodja Balzalorsky (Romantic Violin Sonatas: Live Selection, Vol. 1, Franck, Brahms, Grieg) and Wertico Cain and Gray (Sound Portraits).

Bensusan just kicked off his 55-date North American and European 40^th Anniversary tour on Saturday, March 15 at McCabe’s in Santa Monica. The tour’s North American leg (which includes numerous U.S. dates and an April 27 stop at Church of Saint Stephens in the Field in Toronto) runs through early May. Bensusan is then scheduled to perform six dates in Germany and two in Austria before returning to Canada May 26 to play the Festival des Guitars du Monde, Rouyn-Noranda (QC). After a June 9 date at the Jersey Arts Center, he launches 11 dates in the UK (England and Scotland) before wrapping the tour with two shows June 26 and 28 in Ireland.

The tour will also be a celebration of a dynamic 35-year association with his longtime guitar maker Lowden Guitars (www.georgelowden.com).

In Acoustic Guitar magazine’s (www.acousticguitar.com) recent feature article on Bensusan and Encore, Doug Young writes: “Bensusan has become known as one of the world’s premier fingerstyle guitarists, combining dazzling technique with complex and adventurous compositions that incorporate elements of jazz, folk and Celtic music as well as more exotic elements from his French-Algerian heritage…His eclectic, distinctive style has greatly influenced several generations of fingerstyle guitarists, but at the same time, his tone, phrasing and melodic approach remain unmistakably unique.”

In Premier Guitar Magazine (www.premierguitar.com), Teja Gerken called Encore a “stunning overview of Bensusan’s career…an amazing 40 year retrospective that sounds great (thanks to Grammy-winning engineer Rich Breen) and serves as an excellent introduction to Bensusan’s work.”

Music Morsels Reviews (musicmorsels.wordpress.com) wrote: “One of the most highly respected acoustic guitarists around, Pierre Bensusan rooted through his collection of live recordings over a span of several years to come up with this thirty five song career introspective that will no doubt be highly coveted by loyal fans as well as a great entry level collection for those who are curious. This is Pierre at his simple best, picking and plucking his classics in brilliant fashion…For those who don’t know him but are fans of instrumental acoustic guitar music, dive right in. If this does not make you an instant fan, nothing will.”

Last month, Bensusan was featured on the cover of Akustik Gitarre magazine in Germany. A feature on Bensusan also appeared in the February 2014 issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine (USA) and Chitarra Magazine (Italy).     

For the latest news and tour dates, please visit www.pierrebensusan.com
U.S. Tour Dates:

MARCH 15 – McCabe’s – Santa Monica, CA

MARCH 16 – Club Fox – Redwood City, CA

MARCH 17 – Paschal Winery – Talent, OR

MARCH 18 – Alberta Rose – Portland, OR

MARCH 19 – The Royal Room, Seattle

MARCH 20 – Chateau Rive At The Flour Mill – Spokane, WA

MARCH 23 – Stargazers Theatre – Colorado Springs,CO

APRIL 3 – Barking Legs Theater – Chattanooga, TN

APRIL 4 – Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA