Tres Cuentos: Niño Josele, Sandra Carrasco and "Robi" Svärd.
Discover the most influential guitar event in Scandinavia Uppsala International Guitar Festival is one the most popular and influential of its kind. This year’s edition is set to be amazing, with legendary guitarist Bill Frisell, Brazilian super virtuoso Yamandu Costa, internationally acclaimed flamenco stars Niño Josele, “Robi” Svärd and Sandra Carrasco, as well as the prodigy Indian bass player Mohini Dey, all featuring on the line-up. By Malin Norman | Photos: Press photos
Uppsala International Guitar Festival takes place in Uppsala, a university city with a lovely atmosphere of history and culture, where film director Ingmar Bergman was born and his famous film Fanny and Alexander was recorded. The city is also a gastronomic mecca, and foodies can experience some of the best restaurants in Sweden plus, of course, a good Swedish ‘fika’. The festival is a meeting place for music celebration and learning. Over the years, legendary artists such as John Williams, Paco De Lucia, Pat Metheny, Anoushka Shankar, Steve Vai, Tommy Emmanuel and Jennifer Batten have performed. 60 | Issue 127 | August 2019
This year, for the 16th time, visitors can listen to world-class musicians, explore the guitar exhibition, take part in workshops and meet other enthusiasts from around the world, who share the same passion. “Our vision is to create a music celebration and a meeting place, in the modern Uppsala Concert Hall,” says Klaus Pontvik, founder and festival director. “It’s a top-notch smörgåsbord with the world’s best musicians, where everyone can find their favourite artist or style.”
Opening with Brazilian genius According to Pontvik, this year’s programme is outstanding, with a fantastic
mix of musicians, and the opening show promises to be something quite special. “We’re kicking off with Brazil’s greatest guitarist: virtuoso, composer and 2018 Latin Grammy Nominee Yamandu Costa.” Costa is considered as one of the greatest geniuses of Brazilian music. The recognition he has earned over the years reveals precisely what he can offer the audience: the music he plays travels through his body and soul and is delivered beautifully. Duo Siqueira Lima. Photo: Luis Gaioto