Guitar Player Presents originated in November of 2004 with wizardry of Eric McFadden at John Lee Hooker’s Boom Boom Room in San Francisco, and we’re thrilled to celebrate two decades of guitar greatness with McFadden once again, this time at the Ivy Room in the East Bay. We’ve promoted shows all around GP’s ancestral home turf at venues big and small with artists from Joe Satriani to Buddy Guy on the electric side and Kaki King to Leo Kottke on acoustic.
For this glorious occasion it feels right to have McFadden in the headliner spot with Sgt. Splendor featuring smoldering vocalist Kate Vargas, bass hero Angeline Saris (Celebrating David Bowie w/Adrian Belew & Todd Rundgren, Zepparella), and drummer Paulo Baldi (Cake, Claypool Lennon Delirium).
The evening will kick off with Spirit Hustler Guitar Brigade featuring Frets Editor/GP Presents Coordinator Jimmy Leslie and slide ace Jules Leyhe with percussionist Jeremy Hoenig (Melvin Seals & JGB) plus special guests Bryan Kehoe (Les Claypool, Dunlop), Benjamin Andrews (Con Brio, Guitarmageddon) and more to be announced.
McFadden’s resume includes stints with P-Funk, Eric Burdon & the Animals, Jackson Browne, Anders Osborne, and many more, yet his name remains somewhat under the radar for being one of the most accomplished string-slingers you’ll ever witness, be it on electric or acoustic. McFadden is a perineal favorite amongst savvy players in any project, but there’s something extra special about his current situation as Sgt. Splendor with partner Kate Vargas on vocals and guitar. Her gritty vocals match his gypsy rock guitar heroics, and they share carnival hearts with a passion for the mysterious. Sgt. Splendor is supporting its second album, Death of the Hoochie Koo (Buena Vista West). Their set at Bayou Rendezvous 2024 during Jazz Fest in New Orleans was pure fire, and we expect they’ve only taken it higher since being on tour for a gang of dates with Samantha Fish. They’ve been holing up at Lucky Recording Company cutting fresh tracks we’re hoping to hear first.
Check out “All Dead to Me” with McFadden shredding a custom Trussart resonator on Purple Bee Live 90.
McFadden detailed how he landed a gig with P-Funk playing mandolin, his fascination with flamenco, and how he made an acoustic AC/DC tribute album in this 2021 GP Frets feature.
Spirit Hustler released its self-titled debut album of modern classic rock in 2022 with McFadden making a cameo on “The Spirit of ’69.” Jules Leyhe’s liquid slide licks are like a second voice complimenting Leslie’s tenor soaring over open-tuned acoustics. James Nash of the Waybacks brings marvelous mandolin, adding an Americana element to the mix. Spirit Hustler received high praise from respected ears:
“Wow, this is a masterpiece! Perfect, honest, unaffected psychedelic folk-rock vocals and the lyrics to match. A real modern San Francisco album.” —Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars, Black Crowes)
“Totally dig it! Epic and trippy and tons of cool sounds that make the stories speak. Love the slide work, very lyrical. I liked the power in sections too.” —Sonny Landreth
In the Frets Learn column lesson from August 2022, Leslie explains the unique fingerstyle slap technique that underscores much of his Spirit Hustler material. Find text along with a video demonstration here.
Watch a climax clip of the Spirit Hustler instrumental “StarBearer” live at the Chapel in 2023.
Special guest guns joining this guitar brigade include bona fide Bay Area guitar heroes Bryan Kehoe and Benjamin Andrews. Kehoe is best known for his various work with Les Claypool and his industry gig at Dunlop. The bearded one is like a Tasmanian Devil with a Tele in hand! Andrews is smooth as silk on the same instrument, which he wields most prominently with Con Brio playing everything from R&B to hard rock. Andrews is also a primary force in Guitarmageddon, which gathers gonzo guitarists together over a different theme on special occasions and annually at the High Sierra Music Festival.
EVENT DETAILS
This historic evening celebrating 20 years of Guitar Player Presents promotions is happening at a club that makes everyone feel involved and at home, the Ivy Room, where just about anybody that’s made any bones in the Bay Area has played at one point or another.
Don’t miss this night of revelry celebrating all things Guitar Player. We’ll have copies of the last few print magazines on hand as well as free strings from Martin.
This intimate special event is likely to sell out soon. Show your support and ensure your spot by snagging advance tickets.
“I would highly recommend it,” McFadden says. “And I’m honored to be sharing this night with Guitar Player Presents once again after all these years. It’s a blessing to still being doing this, and indeed cause for celebration!”
WIN TICKETS!
For a chance to win a pair of tickets to GP Presents 20th Anniversary Bash in Albany, California, (near Oakland) send an email to gp@jimmyleslie.com with “20th Bash” in the subject and simply include a sentence about yourself and why you want to go.
Phone contact is greatly appreciated for confirmation.
Winner must provide their own transportation to the Ivy Room in Albany, California, and have their own accommodations in the Bay Area. Best of luck!
GP Presents 20th Anniversary Bash
Sgt. Splendor feat. Eric McFadden & Kate Vargas with Angeline Saris and Paulo Baldi
Spirit Hustler Guitar Brigade feat. Jimmy Leslie & Jules Leyhe with Bryan Kehoe, Benjamin Andrews & More
Thursday, December 5
The Ivy Room
7pm doors: 8pm show
Free GP magazines, Martin strings
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