Presented by Henriksen Amplifiers
6:30 PM Friday, April 11, 2025
Friday Night Jazz at the Artisan Guitar Show has become a tradition. This evening of diverse jazz is presented by Peter Henriksen of Henriksen Amplifiers. Noted guitarist Sean McGowan will be our host for this evening of masterful performances. Sean will perform something special to kick off the evening as well.
The Steve Rudolph Trio will accompany talented guitarists Walt Bibinger, Grant Gordy, Ricardo Grilli, Sean McGowan, and Larry Tamanini. These musicians are all accomplished jazz guitarists who will curate set lists that include original compositions, jazz standards, music from the cool jazz to the fusion eras, and the latest in the evolution of modern jazz.
- Walt Bibinger: The International Association of Jazz Record Collectors describes jazz guitarist Walt Bibinger’s playing as ” … rooted in the traditions of Tal Farlow, Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery, Johnny Smith, and Joe Pass, but with a sound and style all his own … “
- Grant Gordy: For many guitarists, landing a gig with bluegrass mandolinist David Grisman’s groundbreaking bluegrass/jazz quintet would be the culmination of a career in music. For Grant Gordy, it was more of a beginning, an apprenticeship in combining bluegrass and jazz that served as a launchpad for his own music.
- Ricardo Grilli: Ricardo is a Brazilian-born jazz guitarist celebrated for his virtuosic technique, intricate compositions, and dynamic performances. His career has spanned more than two decades. Grilli blends his Brazilian roots with bebop and modern jazz influences, creating a sound marked by smooth phrasing, complex harmonies, and rhythmic ingenuity.
- Sean McGowan: Sean is a fingerstyle jazz and acoustic guitarist who combines many diverse musical influences with unconventional techniques to create a broad palette of textures within his compositions and arrangements for solo guitar.
- Steve Rudolph has enjoyed an inspiring career of more than 50 years as a noted jazz pianist. He is joined by Tony Marino on bass and Larry Marshall on drums — this trio provides the perfect complement to the accomplished guitarists who grace the Artisan Guitar Show stage.
- Larry Tamanini: Larry is jazz guitarist who has been a stalwart of the Philadelphia Jazz scene since the late 1990s. He has developed both unique tone and voice on the guitar and that has made him a respected and popular guitarist on the Philadelphia jazz scene.
We have added something very special to our 2025 celebration of jazz on Friday night. Jazz violinist, mandolinist, arranger, and bow-tie rights activist Aaron Weinstein will perform with the trio. Aaron has been called “a perfect musician” by jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli.
As a featured soloist, Aaron has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, Blue Note, and abroad at jazz festivals in England, France, Switzerland, Iceland, and Israel.
Aaron has performed and recorded with an array of jazz icons including Les Paul, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, Dick Hyman, Dave Frishberg, Jon Hendricks, and Annie Ross as well as musicians as varied as New York Pops conductor Skitch Henderson, and rock guitarist Jay Geils.
Aaron is the recipient of a New York City Nightlife Award and New York City Bistro Award. He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music where he was awarded a full four-year talent-based scholarship. He is also lactose intolerant but can find at least one agreeable item on any restaurant menu, a feat he has called “my greatest talent.”
Henriksen Amplifiers has a philosophy rooted in passion, entrepreneurship, and love for the artistic communities. This passion began in the 1980s when visionary founder Bud Henriksen embarked on a journey to fill the void in the marketplace for a jazz guitar amplifier that had high-quality sound in a portable package.
Today, Peter Henriksen carries on his father’s legacy and has extended his vision beyond the jazz genre. All types of musicians, from flat-top acoustic guitar players to harmonica players, can sound their best thanks to the superior sound quality, tone, versatility, features, and power of Henriksen portable amplifiers.
Henriksen’s globally respected amplifiers can be seen in two locations this year. As always, they will be displayed on our main show floor. You can also experience these world-class amplifiers in the Henriksen amplifier break-out area located in the Cameron Room off the Atrium.
These performances provide a showcase of the finest jazz guitars being crafted today — all presented through the now legendary sound produced by Henriksen Amplifiers. If you close your eyes while listening to the music presented at Friday Night Jazz, you can imagine yourself in a jazz club anywhere in the world.
The Artisan Guitar Show will once again earn its reputation as a premier live performance venue featuring finely handcrafted instruments and extraordinary musicians.
We look forward to you joining us for this exciting night!