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Published on September 8th, 2014

Monnette Sudler & The Guitar Summit

Feb 3, 2017

Phila Guitar Summit #1

Monnette Sudler's Philadelphia Guitar Summit

March 4th, 2017 at 8:00PM

Montgomery County Community College's Science Center Theater

340 DeKalb Pike,

Blue Bell, PA 19422

To Purchase Tickets: Click Here, or call 215-641-6518

Grammy nominated composer/jazz guitarist/vocalist/bandleader Monnette Sudler is known as the “First Lady of Jazz Guitar.” Ms Sudler began in the tradition of avant-garde Jazz, playing with artists like, Sunny Murray, David Murray, Khan Jamal/ Sound of Liberation and Byard Lancaster. Sudler has also played with Hugh Masekela, Grover Washington Jr., Sonia Sanchez, Odean Pope, Steve Turre and Kirk Whalum among others. Monnette is a graduate of Temple University College of Music. She is featured on dozens of CD’s including her highly acclaimed Other Side of the Gemini featuring, Grover Washington and Reggie Workman.

Monnette 3

Monnette Sudler served as music director and composer for the music/theater performance, RetroLove. This project was an evening-length performance of poetry, songs and jazz that capture relationships before the Internet. Conceived and written by poet and performer Beth Feldman Brandt and featuring actress/singer, Joilet Harris, RetroLove was developed by Philadelphia Jazz Project and originally ran in June of 2016 at Philadelphia’s Drake Theatre. RetroLove will be coming to World Cafe LIve for another performance on February 12th, with Sudler as music director.

Monnette Sudler is the recipient of the Leeway Transformation Award, Art and Change, awards from American Composers Forum, and the 2012 and 2013 Clef Club Guitarist of the year awards. She is also founder of the Monnette Sudler’s Philadelphia Guitar Summit, through which she brings national and international master guitarists to Philadelphia / Montgomery County stages “Fusing guitars one string at a time.”

Monnette Sudler's Philadelphia Guitar Summit

March 4th, 2017 at 8:00PM

Montgomery County Community College's Science Center Theater

340 DeKalb Pike,

Blue Bell, PA 19422

To Purchase Tickets: Click Here, or call 215-641-6518

PJP recently spoke with Philadelphia-area, guitarist and composer, Monnette Sudler about her work and the upcoming project, Guitar Summit.

PJP: What have you been up to these days?

The past few months have been devoted to revisiting collaborations with fellow artists Venissa Santi, Gerald Veasley, Diane Monroe, Trapeta Mayson, and Beth Feldman Brandt. Primarily I have been concentrating on my Philadelphia Guitar Summit coming up March 4, 2017.

PJP: What is The Guitar Summit and how long have you been up to it?

The Philadelphia Guitar Summit [PGS] is a program dedicated to the introduction of diversity, beauty and education of stringed instruments the guitar in particular. This is my 8th year. Each year in addition to entertaining I incorporate a teaching moment for the audience and performers as well during the show or prior to the show with a workshop.

PJP: Can you briefly describe your direction, your goals, as the creator/producer of the Guitar Summit? Why is it important?

Larry Coryell My goal is to introduce listeners to varied styles of guitar music, though my focus is jazz I am all inclusive presenting, flamenco, classical, heavy metal, Japanese inspired songs, steel guitar, blues, slide guitar, bass, 8 string guitar and traditional jazz. As a child my mother never wanted me to play the guitar and admittedly blocked me from my desire to learn. She loved music but she did not want me to become a rock and roll guitarist. As I grew older I was able to show her the varied styles and diversity of guitar music which changed her thinking.

PJP: What and whom inspired you to take on this immense task?

I am inspired by my love for guitar with all its complexities and beauty. I am inspired by the desire to teach presenting workshops and opening up new worlds for listeners and musicians.

I would like to offer more opportunities to female guitarists. I have presented "Women Behind the Guitar" featuring the younger generation, as well as featuring Veteran bassist/guitarist Carol Kaye in a video interview. The Philadelphia Guitar Summit to date is only a fraction of my original vision. Monetarily I have not been able to fulfill my vision in its totality so far.

PJP: Tell us about the upcoming Guitar Summit and the people working with you.

Monnette Sudler's Philadelphia Guitar Summit Presents "Chord-Nation" as part of Montgomery County Community College's 2016-2017 Lively Arts Series; Featuring: M'Oud Swing Moroccan Oriental Jazz, Paul Bollenbeck; Portraits of Space and Time with Orrin Evans, Mike Boone and Byron Landham, Gloria Galanta Harp Ensemble featuring Monnette Sudler; introducing Nasir Dickerson, soloist on the African Harp Kora, all on Saturday March 4th, 2017 at 8PM at Montgomery County Community College's Science Center Theater.

The Science Center Theater is located at, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA19422

For information and tickets call 215-641-6518, or go to www.mc3.edu/livelyarts

The Rubios PJP: You created this by yourself, correct? You are not an institution. We at PJP know how difficult taking on this important work can be. There's always something else to do. What kinds of support can the community give to help with the effort and its ongoing success?

Yes. I am the creator of Philadelphia Guitar Summit. I am not an institution, nor am I a non-profit. Raising funds, asking people for money when I can't offer a tax write off is difficult. I am fortunate to have received support from The Leeway Foundation several years in the past. They are limited in that the foundation cannot continually support the same project. Montgomery County Community College has been as supportive as possible. My friends and colleagues continue to be supportive. Food prep for the artists when needed, photography (except last year), video documentation, helping with fliers, the college is great with advertising, and advice.

The Clef Club and (Lorene Cary) Art Sanctuary were my first partners; Denise Spaulding of Spaulding Entertainment, Trapeta Mayson, Germaine Ingram, photographers Larry Hilton of the Bellevue Art Gallery, and Michael Donnella, Videographers, Diane Thompson and Oscar Payne all have given their time at some point, advice, talent and or resources to help support my vision. I am very blessed and grateful. I can also appreciatively add Philadelphia Jazz Project to the list along with journalist Fern Brodkin from The Ticket.

I need financial support to continue to grow. Recording, documentation, photography, printed material brochures, ideas for presentations, venues for workshops and artist fees. These expenses are constant and fund raising is a necessity.

People interested in contributing can contact me at:

My email: mosu@monnettesudlermusic.com
Website: www.Philadelphiaguitarsummit.com
Toll Free: 1-877-542-9491

To Contribute to The Philadelphia Guitar Summit, Click Here:

Monnette & Trapeta

PJP: What advice would you give to your audiences coming to the Guitar Summit to assist with greater understanding and enjoyment of this project?

People coming to PGS for the first time should have an open mind and ear. The idea is to sample a taste of musical diversity. Most people are very happy and excited for the new musical experience in addition to the familiar. I must proudly say, many people return, and look forward to coming each year. Traditional Jazz guitarists Pat Martino, Larry Coryell, Jimmy Bruno, and Sheryl Bailey have performed. Eight string guitarist Toson Abasi, classical guitarist Nickolay Gavlishin, Flamenco Guitarist Carlos Rubio, Mulebone, and many more have performed for PGS. Each year gets better and better.