Artist description Judy Handler & Mark Levesque, a popular Connecticut-based husband & wife guitar duo, have received international acclaim for their new CD, ACOUSTIC BLEND. This state of the art acoustic recording is a unique collage of passionate, lyrical guitar music blending Brazilian, classical guitar, swing and gypsy influences. Adding to the exceptionally expressive quality of their two nylon-string guitars are the captivating sounds of the mandolin, Brazilian bandolim, flute, acoustic bass and percussion

Music Style Brazilian, Jazz, Latin and International

Artist History Audiences respond enthusiastically to the energy and lyricism of Judy and Mark’s performances. Their music is passionate, beautiful and delightfully beyond category. These gifted artists skillfully blend many guitar influences including Brazilian, swing, gypsy, European and classical. Judy and Mark have been performing together for 8 years throughout New England for universities, arts centers, community groups and special events. Some of their recent performances include the International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven, The Bushnell String Break program, The Connecticut Classical Guitar Society at Saint Joseph College,the University of Connecticut, the University of Hartford and The American Mandolin & Guitar Summer Program at Roger Williams College in Rhode Island. Judy and Mark are supported by a number of established arts and educational organizations. The Greater Hartford Arts Council is using their CD Acoustic Blend as a premiere gift for donors to the United Arts Campaign of 2003. The Arts Council also selected their recording of Tico Tico for the soundtrack to a presentation on CDROM called Hartford’s Hidden Treasures. In 2001 the Connecticut Commission on the Arts named Judy and Mark to their prestigious roster of artists. They are also on rosters for the New England Foundation for the Arts, The Litchfield Performing Arts Center and The Southern Connecticut Library Council. In 2001 Judy and Mark released their debut CD, Acoustic Blend to international acclaim and were included on a virtual CD of gypsy jazz guitar music. Their music has been featured on 5 CDs produced by the Connecticut Classical Guitar Society.

Group Members Judy Handler - Nylon String Guitar Mark Levesque - Nylon String Guitar, Mandolin & Bandolim Genevieve Rose - Acoustic Bass Anne Lemke - Flute Gene Bozzi - Drums and Percussion Dan Hocott - Acoustic Bass

Instruments guitars, mandolin, bass, flute, drums and percussion

Albums Acoustic Blend

Press Reviews Review 1: This CD serves as a welcome introduction to a duo whose musical insight makes the world richer for us all. Source of review 1: Marilynn Mair, Mandolin Quarterly, March 2002 Review 2: A rich, zesty guitar gumbo with tasty elements of classical, swing, gypsy, Brazilian, a dizzying array of world-music flavorings. Source of review 2: Owen McNally, The Hartford Courant, June 2002 Review 3: Elegent string virtuosity that ranges from romantic to whimsical. It has become an essential part of my CD collection. Source of review 3: Michael Nowak, WGN Radio, Chicago, March 2002

Location Vernon, CT - USA

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