Tony McManus & Paul Asbell at Caffe Lena

Tony McManus has come to be recognized throughout the world as the leading guitarist in Celtic Music. From early childhood his twin obsessions of traditional music and acoustic guitar have worked together to produce a startlingly original approach to this ancient art. In Tonys hands the complex ornamentation normally associated with fiddles and pipes are accurately transferred to guitar in a way that preserves the integrity and emotional impact of the music.

On Chicagos south side, Paul Asbell recorded and played with Howlin Wolf, Lightning Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, and other legendary greats, including holding down the rhythm guitar chair for the studio side of Muddy Waters Fathers and Sons LP. Moving east, he expanded his scope to work with Big Mama Thornton and folk, soul, and jazz luminaries including Rosalie Sorrels, Curtis Mayeld, Sun Ra, Sonny Stitt, and David Bromberg. Paul is also a teacher and has given private lessons and taught at a number of universities. Past students have included recognized professionals in jazz, rock, and folk, including Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio....

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Tony McManus has come to be recognized throughout the world as the leading guitarist in Celtic Music. From early childhood his twin obsessions of traditional music and acoustic guitar have worked together to produce a startlingly original approach to this ancient art. In Tonys hands the complex ornamentation normally associated with fiddles and pipes are accurately transferred to guitar in a way that preserves the integrity and emotional impact of the music.

On Chicagos south side, Paul Asbell recorded and played with Howlin Wolf, Lightning Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, and other legendary greats, including holding down the rhythm guitar chair for the studio side of Muddy Waters Fathers and Sons LP. Moving east, he expanded his scope to work with Big Mama Thornton and folk, soul, and jazz luminaries including Rosalie Sorrels, Curtis Mayeld, Sun Ra, Sonny Stitt, and David Bromberg. Paul is also a teacher and has given private lessons and taught at a number of universities. Past students have included recognized professionals in jazz, rock, and folk, including Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio.

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