Loren and Mark in Aotearoa - national tour 15 Oct – 8 Nov

For immediate release

Loren and Mark in Aotearoa - AOTNZ national tour 15 Oct – 8 Nov

Loren Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb share a special musical chemistry seldom found among musicians. Their varied repertoire of original and arranged music has won them countless fans around the world and many awards, including Best Instrumental for their original track Onward at the International Acoustic Music Awards.

Influenced by guitar greats Merle Travis and Chet Atkins, their live performances of instrumental and vocal duets demonstrate a spectacular technical grasp of the guitar, as well as outstanding musicality and creative interaction. With a repertoire drawn from Americana, bluegrass, jazz, country and western and classical influences, a Loren and Mark concert is an exceptionally exhilarating experience.

'Fresh from their three week USA tour with Australian guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel', Loren and Mark take on a three week Arts On Tour NZ tour.

“…one of the most popular acts in Central New York….Loren and Mark ...have established themselves as a premier acoustic act….” - Kevin Corbett, Syracuse New Times

"They create a brilliant stereo sound of two fine guitarists. I listened to their CD from front to end... pretty amazing." - Lloyd Maines, multiple Grammy award winning producer

For more information, contact:
Diana Moir, AOTNZ publicist, 03 355 2691, 021 126 5738, dhmoir@xtra.co.nz
Steve Thomas, AOTNZ Trust, aotnz@xtra.co.nz or www.aotnz.co.nz
www.lorenandmark.com/

About the artists

Loren and Mark met in 2005 when they spent a few days working with Tommy Emmanuel at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp in Ohio. Mark was 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. They began playing together, setting the stage for the 2010 CAAS convention where, although not originally listed to play on the Saturday night finale, they were added to the show due to popular demand. They received a standing ovation, and were invited to perform concerts across the USA, and France.

Since then, the pair have toured extensively within the USA and Europe, and have been invited to headline festivals in both Europe and the USA. 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 began his formal musical training in Wellington where he completed his Bachelor of Music Degree, 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. He became 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 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. Mark is now based full time in the USA where he has a busy schedule touring with Loren Barrigar.

More about Loren Barrigar

Loren started playing guitar when he was four years old, and by the time he was six, had played 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 acclaimed for his song writing skills, is in constant demand as a studio musician and has performed with many of the world’s best acoustic players including Steven Bennett, Richard Smith, John Knowles and Muriel Anderson. His 2008 album “Dance with Me” received a Syracuse Area Music Award for Best Country Album of 2009.

Itinerary

Wednesday 15 October 7.30pm Thames
Kauaeranga Hall
$20
Book: 021788675 (Lisa)
Email: Kauaerangahallmusic@gmail.com
or Lotus Realm, Pollen St, Thames

Thursday 16 October 7.30pm Coromandel
Coromandel Bowling Club
$25/$20 concessions
Book: Coromandel Information Centre

Friday October 17 8pm Onewhero
OSPA Theatre
$20
Book: River Traders Tuakau 09 2368875

Saturday 18 October7.30pm Whangarei
Riverbank Centre, Reyburn House Lane
$25
Book: Whangarei Suit Hire, Rust Avenue
www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz

Sunday 19 October 7pm Waimamaku
Morrell’s Café
$15 Door Sales

Wednesday 22 October 7pm Opotiki
Heritage Arts Centre, 13 King St $20 Book: Travel Shop
Friday 24 October 8pm Picton
Le Café, 12-14 London Quay
dinner 6pm $18

Saturday 25 October 8.30pm Onekaka
The Mussel Inn
$10 Book: The Mussel Inn

Monday 27 October 7.30pm Hokitika
Old Lodge Theatre, 11 Revell St
$20 Book: Hokitika Regent Theatre

Tuesday 28 October 7.30pm Okarito
Donovan’s
$20 Book: Okarito Nature Tours 03 753 4014

Thursday 30 October 7.30pm Owaka
Owaka Memorial Community Centre
$20, Seniors $18, Students $10
Book: Catlins Café, Mary Sutherland 03 415 8613
mary@catlins-ecotours.co.nz

Friday 31 October 7.30pm Riverton
Riverton Union Church Hall, 126 Palmerston St
$20 Arts Centre members, $25 non-members

Saturday November 1 8pm Dunedin
The New Edinburgh Folk Club - Opoho Church, Signal Hill Road
Tickets $20 or $15 for Folk Club Members available at the door

Tuesday 4 November 7.30pm Tauranga
Baycourt X Space
$22-$25 +service fees
Book: Baycourt Box Office, www.ticketek.co.nz 0800 TICKETEK

Wednesday November 5 8pm Hamilton
The Meteor Theatre
$30 themeteor.co.nz Tickets available at door

Friday 7 November 8pm Auckland
The Vic Theater, Devonport
$35/$40 concessions
Book: www.thevic.co.nz

Saturday 8 November 8pm Auckland
The Vic Theater, Devonport
$35/$40 concessions Book: www.thevic.co.nz

Arts On Tour New Zealand
AOTNZ organises tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller centres in New Zealand. The trust receives funding from Creative New Zealand as well as support from Interislander and liaises with local arts councils, repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and other talent to country districts. The AOTNZ programme is environmentally sustainable – artists travel to audiences so that that small town and country dwellers can enjoy high quality entertainment on their home patch. www.aotnz.co.nz

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