Artist description Year after year Ivan Smirnov is named the best acoustic guitarist by the Russian music press. With bright technique an unique style of his own he speaks a new language with an old instrument. No listener could deny that Ivan Smirnov's music is full of mysterious Russian soul and Russian ways. And that is the base for different and sometimes distant modern guitar styles to collide, melt, fuse and go side by side. Smirnov's musicianship is marked with internal freedom. It is beyond time. But it does come from Russian heart. Ivan Smirnov - acoustic, electroacoustic guitar, compositions, arrangements, Mikhail Smirnov - keyboards, Alexander Chinenkov - percussion.

Music Style Russian Rennaisance of the acoustic guitar, World fusion.

Musical Influences Classical music, folklore traditions, jazz music.

Similar Artists Paco de Lucia, John Mclaughlin, Pat Metheny.

Artist History Ivan Smirnov is one of the most talented acoustic guitar players in Russia. Self-taught musician, Smirnov walked his own way - from the school ensemble to the loneliness of Master. During 70's he played in such different formations as rock group "Vtoroye Dykhaniye" (The Second Wind), avant-garde ensemble "Boomerang" (led by famous electronicist and composer Eduard Artemiyev) and official philarmonic band "Golubye Gitary" (The Blue Guitars). In 80's he played in well-known Moscow based jazz-rock band "Arsenal" (led by saxophone player Alexei Kozlov). Since leaving "Arsenal" Ivan works as a solo artist. He makes money as a session man, working for various kinds of musicians and singers - pop and rock stars. Now the only result of Smirnov's solo activity is his first album "Merry-go-round Man".

Group Members Ivan Smirnov, Michail Smirnov, Alexander Chinenkov.

Instruments Acoustic, electroacoustic guitar, keyboards, flute, percussion.

Albums Za Tridevyat Zemel (At the other end of the world)

Press Reviews After leaving jazz, rock and pop music Smirnov, on his own words, "tried to forget everything - all previous experience, and to teach guitar-playing from the beginning". He was searching for his own sound, own intonation, his own way of music. And he did it. His music is full of Russian melodic tradition. But this is not decorative and fake "matryoshka-style" (as most part of experiments with Russian folk music are).It's real connection between ancient folkloric forms and real life. Smirnov uses his guitar as a cross-cultural bridge: one can hear in his music Spanish flamenco, classical music, some Zeppelinesque chords and rock'n'roll moves, elegantly and heartily mixed with Russian music - its great symphonic feeling and folk roots.

Location Moscow, n/a - Russia

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