“500 Years Of Music For Guitar”
A chronological tour of the guitarist's repertoire from the Renaissance to the Contemporary. The program features music by J.S. Bach, Gaspar Sanz, Ferdinando Carulli, Bartolome Calatuyud, Django Reinhardt, Thelonious Monk, Vernon Duke, Luiz Bonfa and others. Many different styles of music are included, such as Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, flamenco, jazz, blues and Brazilian music, as well as several original compositions.
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“After Hours”
A selection of original compositions for the classical guitar of the 21st century. While some of the pieces are “acoustic” in conception, others explore the resources of digital sound processing. In performance, the guitar is amplified and its sound is altered using digital delays, multi-tracking and tonal modifications. Various alternative guitar tunings are also sometimes used. Griggs' music reflects his interest in improvisation, post-minimalist structures, atonal harmonies, world-music rhythms and the possibilities of new music technology. His guitar technique derives from classical and Brazilian, and blends additional elements of flamenco, jazz, blues and world music styles as well.
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“The Guitar In America/Songs Of The Highway”
A selection of American music for guitar, including traditional country dance music, popular songs, ragtime, blues, jazz standards and originals. Several vocal numbers are included by musicians such as Robert Johnson, Jimmie Reed, Mississippi John Hurt, Duke Ellington, and others. Griggs accompanies himself on acoustic and electric guitar in a variety of styles, including flatpicking, finger-style jazz techniques, “Travis” fingerpicking, 3-finger blues style, altered tunings and slide guitar.
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“Cafe Brazil”
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A selection of Brazilian songs and instrumentals by composers such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Roberto “Baden Powell” de Aquino, Paulinho Nogueira, Luiz Bonfa and others. Mr. Griggs sings several Brazilian classics and accompanies himself on acoustic guitar in a variety of styles, including choro, samba and bossa nova.
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"Music For An Old English Christmas"
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A selection of traditional English folk music associated with the Christmas season, including wassailing songs, Morris dances, and ballads such as the New Year's version of "Greensleeves." Wassailing songs were originally sung to help ensure the fertility of fields and orchards, while Morris (originally "Moorish") dances were performed in rural England as a part of Twelfth Night celebrations. Mr. griggs accompanies himself on guitar and performs several pieces on the laud, a 12-string folk lute.
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During the course of his performances, Griggs shares so ame of his experiences traveling
and performing throughout Europe for more than ten years as a 21st Century minstrel.
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