Charlie Ballantine

Named as one of the top 200 living guitarists by All About Jazz Magazine, Charlie Ballantine is acclaimed as one of the finest and most versatile guitarists on the scene today. JAZZ TIMES MAGAZINE hails his playing as "teeming with intricate grooves and maniacal precision, both beautiful and complex".

Following two very well received appearances in Charlottesville, Charlie this time brings a veteran band featuring his long-time bassist from Indiana days, Quinn Sternberg, and the great New York City drummer Dan Weiss. The group will be playing selections from their forthcoming release due out in April. The first single from that recording is a thrilling version of The Beatles' Strawberry Fields Forever.

After releasing several acclaimed solo albums, Ballantine attained global recognition with his award winning album "Life is Brief: The Music of Bob Dylan" which appeared on many best of the year lists. In addition to his impressive original compositions on such albums a Vonnegut and Cold Coffee, Ballantine also displays a great reverence for the jazz tradition through his unique treatment of standards and jazz classics, including an entire album dedicated to the music of Thelonious Monk. Jazziz Magazine says "He approaches the tonal and harmonic language of rock/roots with the groove, ambition and improvisational focus of a jazz musician."