The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra was started in 2009 by founding member/bass player John Wright. He added guitarist Dan Neale with many deep jazz influences in his advanced playing and composing style. Lisi Wright with her aggressive violin and engaging stage presence completes the trio's sound and look. Their musical creations have been compared to King Crimson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Dixie Dregs, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. The GCO's credits include 5 studio releases (and one live), two Downbeat Nominations, a Minnesota Arts Tour Grant, collaborations with symphony orchestras, and thousands of miles of touring.

Guitarist, composer, and singer John Penny brings decades of experience composing and producing music for film to work by crafting backing tracks that surround his guitars and voice. The arrangements that accompany Pennys’ lively guitar explorations bring to life the Latin, Afro-Cuban, and Classical flavors of his original songs. Pennys’ recent creations fuse the vibe of the modern cinematic soundtrack with excursions into World Jazz. Listen to his recent KBEM Jazz radio interview.

Papa John Kolstad has been performing for more than 50 years, blazing a musical trail across the United States and Europe. He performed regularly on The Prairie Home Companion radio show, has been a featured performer at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival and the Winnipeg Folk Festival. In 2022 Papa John was formally inducted into the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame. He is an accomplished musician, a fine blues singer and songwriter, as well as a stellar picker on both 6 and 12 string guitar. 

Dean Harrington earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the U of MN and was a first prize winner in the Schubert Club student scholarship competition. For the last two decades he has been performing music with his own band Mill City Hot Club and other local groups playing swing, gypsy jazz, tango, New Orleans jazz and more. He has been a guitar teacher for over 25 years at K & S Conservatory of Music and more recently The Music Lab and Mount Olivet School of Music in Minneapolis.

Dean Mikkelson has been performing around the twin cities area for over the last twenty years often leading his group Deano and the Dinosaurs. He has also performed with The Mill City Hot Club and recorded with Papa John Kolstad and the Hot Club of East Lake. As a footnote to another Dean guitar master, he was inspired to pursue the guitar after hearing Dean Granros in 1970.

Jeff Ray is an avant-garde resonator slide-guitarist and songwriter based in St Paul, MN. His music is rooted in the traditions of acoustic blues and American fingerstyle guitar, but Ray quickly departs from tradition. He left Minnesota for Memphis when he was just 17, developed his guitar skills and evolved into an innovator of alternate guitar tunings and slide-guitar. He returned to the Midwest and embarked on a 20+ year career as a solo performer, releasing six albums. His songs integrate flavors of Indian classical music and West-African guitar under the guise of cryptic alternate guitar tunings.

Mike Munson is an adept slide guitar player with a reverence for the history and evolution of American music. He deftly blends dark themes and heavy rhythms into songs that range from danceable to meditative. His sound marks the similarities between blues, American primitive guitar and early rock and roll. 

Scott Mateo Davies has a five decade career of guitar performance, embracing many genres, including flamenco, classical, tango, jazz, and pop. After 12 years leading the nationally recognized pop group, The Rogues, Davies relocated to Madrid, Spain, where he retrained as a flamenco guitarist with teachers Aquilino Jimenez "El Entri," David Serva, and Felipe Maya. He has performed with some of the great flamenco artists, including Manolete (Granada), and Cuca de Grana, Jose Barrios, and Chele de Cadiz. He has recorded three flamenco CDs.

Sophia Butler is a Twin Cities string player and educator. She performs with Rogue Tango, Mill City Caravan, and the Linden String Quartet and is in her seventh year teaching band, orchestra and jazz at South High School in Minneapolis. Having lived in Ireland, Malaysia, and Alaska, Butler loves being able to connect with others by learning different styles and traditions of music.

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Ben Gateno, a native of southern Minnesota, earned master’s and doctoral degrees in performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Following graduate school, he studied with renowned teacher and performer Antigoni Goni in Brussels, Belgium. Gateno enjoys presenting solo guitar programs with a special emphasis on classical, country blues, and ragtime. In 2020, he released "A Time When Things Were New," an album featuring solo guitar music from the 1920’s.

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Scott Keever is an award-winning fingerstyle guitarist from Minneapolis, MN who combines an American roots sound with styles as far ranging as Celtic, Balkan and jazz. He is a multifaceted performer who is as comfortable playing bottleneck slide on a resophonic guitar as he is playing classical or folk guitar. As well as being a solo performer, Scott plays guitar and Bulgarian tambura for Orkestar Bez Ime (OBI), an award-winning Twin Cities band that specializes in Balkan dance music.

Gabriela Sweet plays resonator guitars (dobros & Nationals) as her dearest collaborators; they open sound doors. As a bottleneck slide player, she loves these tremendously responsive instruments – especially while improvising. She plays jazz, blues, son montuno, festejo, zydeco, and American standards; singing in Spanish, English, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, and Ukrainian.

Adam Kiesling got his start playing bass back in high school and started playing guitar in his late teens. After moving to Minneapolis for college he fell under the sway of old-time stringband music and guitarists like Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson and Norman Blake, and took fingerpicking lessons from guitarist/songwriter Cam Waters. He plays in Corpse Reviver, a Twin Cities trio that primarily plays the songs found on Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music.

Steve Haskin Ensemble (6-7 and 8-9 pm)

Steve Haskin is a Minnesota Guitar Society founding member and former president, who created the MGS newsletter Guitarist and organized/named our first guitarathon in 1984. He taught guitar at Minneapolis Community and Technical College for 27 years and has produced four CDs of original material: Boundary Waters, Mississippi Goin’ By, Autumn Road, and Avenue B. He now lives in Austin, TX where he plays in the vocal jazz band, Austin Songbirds. His ensemble will include Jim Price (violin), Dick Daneher (percussion), and Liz Pauly (Brazilian vocals).  Liz has a DMA in Vocal Performance, serves on the music faculty at Minneapolis College, and sings with the Minnesota Chorale. 

Tony Hauser (7-8 pm)

Tony Hauser is the MGS founder and first president. Tony's career spans 50 years as a professional concert guitarist, ranging from performances at Inuit villages in Alaska to world-class halls like the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. He plays the entire range of classical guitar repertoire, including flamenco interpretations and covers, Brazilian music, and original compositions. His "Concerto for Flamenco Guitar and Chamber Orchestra" premiered in 2015 and he has created and published about 90 scores of arrangements and original compositions via MusicaNeo.

Dan Schwartz (lap steel/guitar), Nick Salisbury (bass) and Joe Savage (pedal steel) team-up to explore roots based, melody driven tunes that float between the prairie and the edge of town. These players are all in-demand sidemen in and beyond the Twin Cities, but tonight they are co-leaders of this trio – sharing their own compositions with a unique sound from their combined instruments.

Guitarist Joel Shapira and pianist Larry McDonough will perform music from the most influential jazz recordings of Bill Evans and Jim Hall.

Guitarist Joel Shapira is an internationally acclaimed musician residing in St. Paul / Minneapolis MN. He's a leader and/or member of multiple top Twin Cities' jazz ensembles, as well as a master of the demanding discipline of solo guitar. He performs regularly with world class musicians, has numerous recordings to his credit, and is an artist featured on the NYC record label Unseen Rain Records.

Larry McDonough has been playing piano, composing, and recording extensively for over 50 years.  He has performed around the world with legendary jazz artists. He regularly performs in the Twin Cities, including solo, duos and trios, plus his own group the Larry McDonough Quartet.

Pat Donohue and Mike Dowling have collaborated, composed and created prize-winning guitar performances since their early days of playing together.

Grammy-winning fingerpicker Pat Donohue’s devotion to acoustic guitar has made him an American standard. As the guitarist for the “Guys All-Star Shoe Band” of Minnesota Public Radio’s A Prairie Home Companion, for twenty years Pat got to show off his savvy licks and distinctive original songs to millions of listeners each week.

Grammy-winning Mike Dowling digs deep into the musical bag of American roots guitar, favoring the melodic Piedmont style of acoustic blues masters like Mississippi John Hurt and slide great Tampa Red. From bottleneck blues to vintage jazz and much more in between, Mike’s musicality, depth, and mastery of the instrument translates fluently to flattop, archtop, and resonator guitars alike.

Steve Lehto & John Wright are a MN-based Folk-Rock and Progressive Rock band whose first live performance was in 1999 and has continued, non-stop, to this day. Lehto & Wright have a sound that is a unique blend of traditional and modern styles. By taking cues from the British Isles and American folk traditions and interpreting them with contemporary guitar-based arrangements,  Lehto & Wright have taken a unique  approach to the world of Folk, Folk Rock and Progressive Rock.

Kyle Tennis brings a unique approach to solo guitar. His acoustic arrangements blend 20 years of performing in Pop, Classical, Rockabilly, Jazz, and Worship venues around the Midwest.

Forty years ago Phil Heywood moved to town on the heels of a tour with guitarist Leo Kottke, and he has been treating Twin Cities audiences ever since with his ear-bending clarity of tone and irresistible sense of rhythm. Over the years he has garnered a National Fingerpicking Championship, top prize at the American Fingerstyle Guitar Festival, and appearances on NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion. Known for his lyrical, soul-satisfying guitar instrumentals, he can draw listeners in with his voice as well, singing in a warm, plainspoken baritone that blends seamlessly with his rock-solid guitar work.

Dakota Dave Hull has been a part of the acoustic music scene for well over 50 years. With his dazzling array of acoustic guitars—flattops, resophonics, archtops, guitar-banjos, piccolos and baritones—he’s performed all over the United States, Canada and in  at least a dozen other countries, including Japan, where he typically spends a month every year. He’s released over 20 recordings (all of which are in print), a book of his Classic Ragtime compositions, and has lost count of how many recordings he’s worked on as a sideman.

Jackson Peters is an exciting young guitarist studying at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music. While also being a regular guitarist for country star Doug Allen Nash, he works primarily in jazz small-group settings having performed with many notable Twin cities figures including Joel Shapira, Omar AbdulKarim, Will Kjeer, and more. Jackson has also performed with many award winning pit orchestras, both in academic and professional settings, as well as the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra.

Tim Sparks has been redefining the acoustic guitar repertoire since he won the National Fingerpicking Championship in 1993 with a groundbreaking arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. Sparks continues to surprise, challenge, and thrill audiences with his diverse repertoire and stunning technique. Equally at home with Country Blues, Jazz or World Music, Sparks' extraordinary ability has earned him an international reputation as one of the most innovative guitarists working today.

Ben Abrahamson is a fresh, dynamic voice on the acoustic guitar. His music evokes the fearless flamenco of Paco de Lucia, as well as jazz masters Ralph Towner and John McLaughlin. Ben released his latest solo album Neolithic in January 2020.

Myra Burnette grew up on a hobby farm in the northwoods of Minnesota around a woodfire stove with a piano and guitar. She formed her first group Miss Myra and The Moonshiners in 2015. She takes self-study ever so seriously, immersing herself in the styles of early jazz guitarists such as Eddie Lang and Dick McDonough and George Barnes, as well as Hank Garland and Les Paul. She’s done promo for Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville and performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater playing guitar for the legendary Iris DeMent.

Robb Henry received his first electric guitar in1965 at the age of 12 and began performing with bands the following year. His experience playing with blues artist Mojo Buford from early 1969 through1970 had a lasting impact on his developing guitar style. In 2001 he formed the collective group Parisota Hot Club to explore the music of French guitarist Django Reinhardt. Recent Robb Henry trio dates feature an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, rock and pop instrumentals played finger-style on his Fender Stratocaster.

Dylan Salfer started playing guitar at 9 years old and by age 13 he was playing professionally. At age 14 he was playing with Legendary Chicago blues man James Cotton. Dylan has also played with Buddy Guy on several occasions, shared stages with Mavis Staples, Kingfish Ingram, Marcus King, and The Spin Doctors. He toured all over the world with Bernard Allison, and played with Bobby Whitlock (Derek & the Dominoes, Delaney & Bonnie, George Harrison). Now in his 20s, Dylan is writing original music as a solo artist. 

Cody Steinmann has been performing and teaching professionally for over 10 years. An outstanding improviser, Cody has become a fixture on the Twin Cities jazz scene since settling in Minneapolis, where he has performed with many groups as a leader and sideman. Cody has studied extensively with Steve Peplin, Russ Johnson, Solomon Parham, JD Allen, Jesse Catalino Montijo and James Crowley, DM.

Minneapolis String Project is a high-energy instrumental group that features violin, guitar, and bass performing original works and eclectic covers. Ernest Bisong, David Feily and Jeff Bailey have spent years performing and honing their musicianship in separate spheres of the Minnesota music scene and come together to form this unique musical partnership. MPLS String Project deviates from the standard repertoire for bowed instruments and draws from jazz, fusion, soul, and an array of world music influences. 

Scott Keever is an award-winning fingerstyle guitarist from Minneapolis, MN who combines an American roots sound with styles as far ranging as Celtic, Balkan and jazz. He is a multifaceted performer who is as comfortable playing slide on a resophonic guitar as he is playing classical or folk guitar. His original music represents his own fascination with the world around us and the different sounds that each musical style creates. His stylistic range can be heard on his 2018 solo album “Solo Guitar: Vol. 1” as well as his forthcoming album “Solo Guitar: Vol. 2”.

Guitarist Joel Shapira is an nationally acclaimed musician residing in St. Paul / Minneapolis MN. He's a leader and/or member of multiple top Twin Cities' jazz ensembles, as well as a master of the demanding discipline of solo guitar. He performs regularly with world class musicians, has numerous recordings to his credit, and is an artist featured on the NYC record label Unseen Rain Records.

Since moving to Minneapolis in 2005, Zacc Harris has gained a reputation as one of the upper Midwest's top guitarists, being named 2017 Twin Cities Best Jazz Artist by the City Pages. His 2021 album Small Wonders was named in Downbeat Magazine's Best Albums of the Year list, receiving a glowing four star review from critic Bill Milkowski. He has released three albums as leader and has toured throughout the US and UK, including a 2016 run with Zacc Harris Group at London's famed Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.

Pavel Jany's long musical journey encompasses many various styles. His classical guitar and compositional backgrounds were enriched by influences from East European Romani music of his native Czechoslovakia, to the works of jazz fusion guitarists and many Brazilian guitar masters. Pavel Jany has founded several international jazz projects on the Twin Cities' music scene, including Brazilian jazz ensemble "Ticket To Brazil," Gypsy jazz trio "Talking Strings," and jazz fusion group "World Jazz Collegium.”

Jacqueline Ultan is a singularly creative cellist and composer. Also a dedicated teacher, Ultan is on the faculty of MacPhail’s Center for Music and holds a Master's Degree in Performance from Yale University. In demand locally and nationally, Ultan has recorded and collaborated extensively with many theater, pop, jazz, rock and new music artists.

Briand Morrison performs and inspires by bringing his solo jazz guitar, looping technique, education of jazz music, art and Native American culture, to projects and audiences of all kinds. Having recorded many CD’s including Musical Impressions: The Art of George Morrison and most recently Shore of our World, a compilation of original jazz guitar pieces for two guitars, Briand continues to compose, record and produce music in his home studio in Grand Portage on the shore of Lake Superior. His recent recording aired on MPR can be viewed here.

Dean Harrington earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the U of MN and was a first prize winner in the Schubert Club student scholarship competition. For the last two decades he has been performing music with his own band Mill City Hot Club and other local groups playing swing, gypsy jazz, tango, New Orleans jazz and more. He has been a guitar teacher for over 25 years at K & S Conservatory of Music and more recently Music Lab in Minneapolis.

Dean Mikkelson has been performing around the area for over the last twenty years often leading his group Deano and the Dinosaurs. He has also performed with The Mill City Hot Club and recorded with Papa John Kolstad and the Hot Club of East Lake. As a footnote, he was inspired to pursue the guitar after hearing Dean Granros in 1970.

Dean Granros is a veteran of the Twin Cities jazz scene, with many bands and ensembles over several decades. His guitar compositions contain the Granrosian themes: authenticity, musicality, virtuosity, and creative freedom. “Dean’s music is raw, traditional, explorative, without being too showy.” –Jazz Police article 

Dean Magraw “His music transcends, transports and lifts the soul to a higher level as he weaves, cajoles and entices every note from his instrument… Just as important are the silences with which he knits the music… these can only come with being at one with one's art…”  –Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Altan)

PK Mayo (Paul K. Mayasich) holds his rightful place in both the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame and the Minnesota Rock & Country Hall of Fame. Born in the Minnesota mining town of Eveleth, PK got on the guitar train early and has stayed there, focusing on blues as the bedrock foundation while he puts his own muscular spin on it. He is a noted guitarist both on acoustic and electric slide, having been inspired at an early age from Duane Allman’s solo on “Statesboro Blues.” That inspiration has carried him to stages worldwide as he continues to gig (in non-pandemic times) at a rate of 200+ shows a year. 

Dan Schwartz is a Minnesota musician who plays roots based, melody driven tunes on harp guitar and lap steel. Dan earned a degree in American Finger-Style Guitar Performance from The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee where he dove deep into the works of Michael Hedges and Leo Kottke. His recordings have earned him a nomination for guitarists of the year (Minnesota Music Academy) and Folk/Roots album of the year (Mpls. St Paul Magazine).  Dan’s latest recording, High Plains Gospel, is a collection of finger-style guitar tunes played on harp guitar and acoustic lap steel.

Sam Miltich is a self-taught jazz guitarist born and raised in the woods of northern Minnesota. Sam burst on the scene in his teens as a young lion of gypsy jazz, joining Paul Mehling's Hot Club of San Francisco and touring internationally with the world-renowned Robin Nolan Trio.  Sam's fluid and instinctive sound has graced hundreds of stages, from small towns on the Iron Range to New York's Lincoln Center.

Chris Olson is a musician and educator in the Twin Cities who performs with a wide range of ensembles, adroitly navigating his way through multiple styles, including jazz, pop, and classical. His solo performances seek to reflect that diversity, utilizing steel string, nylon string, and electric guitars, enhanced by a loop pedal and occasional vocals.