Sixteen beautiful arrangements of Domenico Scarlatti's keyboard works. A project four years in the making, OGQ is proud to present this selection hand picked and arranged by resident composer and arranger, Bryan Johanson.
Spanish classics for solo guitar.
John Mery, the critically acclaimed guitarist and member of the Oregon Guitar Quartet, is featured performing Spanish classical guitar favorites on this third solo CD.
Solo classical guitar music from Argentine - featuring music from rural and urban areas. Includes tango favorites and other Argentine dances set for classical guitar. Album has received praise from numerous outlets including the magazine Soundboard
Review from the Guitar Foundation of America's Soundboard Magazine, Vol. 41, No. 3 2015 Works by
Solo classical guitar music from Argentine - featuring music from rural and urban areas. Includes tango favorites and other Argentine dances set for classical guitar. Album has received praise from numerous outlets including the magazine Soundboard
Review from the Guitar Foundation of America's Soundboard Magazine, Vol. 41, No. 3 2015 Works by Fleury, Gardel, Piana, Piazzolla and Guastavino. Cube Squared Records C2R-607, 2015 John Mery's Argentina is a beautiful traversal of music from that country. His selection cover styles from the most traditional - singer Carlos Gardel and bandeneonista Anibal Troilo - to more recent figures such as Piazzolla. Along the way we get fascinating sets of the works of Carlos Guastavino, undeservedly less well known than many other South American composers, and the fascinating Abel Fleury. Virtually every performance and every piece is a little gem. It certainly adds up to a first rate disc. Sound is very good but the liner notes are quite inadequate: more information on the pieces, composers, and sources would have been most welcome!
Solo guitar arrangement of Carlos Gardel's famous tango cancion "El dia que me quieras" arranged and performed by John C. Mery.
Solo guitar arrangement of Carlos Gardel's famous tango cancion "El dia que me quieras" arranged and performed by John C. Mery.
Portland-based quintet Tango Pacifico recreates the music of Argentine tango master Astor Piazzolla with their own stylistic flair. This CD is a fusion of jazz, classical, latin, tango, world, and avant garde influences.
All the group’s members, including San Francisco bandoneón player Adrian Jost, veteran multifaceted guitarist John Mery and
Portland-based quintet Tango Pacifico recreates the music of Argentine tango master Astor Piazzolla with their own stylistic flair. This CD is a fusion of jazz, classical, latin, tango, world, and avant garde influences.
All the group’s members, including San Francisco bandoneón player Adrian Jost, veteran multifaceted guitarist John Mery and pianist Mika Sunago, have studied this music at the source. (These CD release performances will also feature soprano Janice Johnson and dancers Rebecca Rorick Smith and Mike Naus.) The quintet expertly handles the tricky rhythms and shifting imagery of “Escualo” (which mimics the darting moves of its namesake, the shark) and the title track (which means “unruly, rebellious or irreverent”). It ably captures the fervor of “Concierto Para Quinteto” and the cafe lilt of “Decarissimo” and “Fracanapa.”
Beautiful acoustic version of Piazzolla's Ave Maria. Guitars, Mandolin and Bass arranged and performed by John C. Mery
Beautiful acoustic version of Piazzolla's Ave Maria. Guitars, Mandolin and Bass arranged and performed by John C. Mery
Electric version of Piazzolla's Ave Maria. Guitars, Mandolin and Bass arranged and performed by John C. Mery
Electric version of Piazzolla's Ave Maria. Guitars, Mandolin and Bass arranged and performed by John C. Mery
A collection of beautiful classical guitar solos from the Americas and Europe
some recent praise for John's playing:
“…exquisite work…” Catherine Thomas, The Oregonian, March 14, 2007
“...expressive live playing …” Willamette Week, March 14, 2007
“…excellent video of performance…” PBS From the Top at Carnegie Hall – season 2 episode 2
“…estimable…
A collection of beautiful classical guitar solos from the Americas and Europe
some recent praise for John's playing:
“…exquisite work…” Catherine Thomas, The Oregonian, March 14, 2007
“...expressive live playing …” Willamette Week, March 14, 2007
“…excellent video of performance…” PBS From the Top at Carnegie Hall – season 2 episode 2
“…estimable…” Willamette Week, October 22, 2008
John Mery's background is quite intriguing: he was born in Santiago, Chile, grew up in the US and has lived and studied music in Europe. John began playing the guitar at an early age and, like most guitar players, was originally interested in rock and other popular styles. He discovered the classical guitar after his family moved to Spain when he was eleven; it greatly inspired him. Upon returning to the U.S. he dedicated himself to the study of classical guitar; he became completely absorbed in pushing the boundaries of music. His skills earned him a scholarship to the guitar program at the University of Arizona where he went on to receive a master’s degree in guitar performance. During his time as a student, John was invited to perform in master classes held by some of the world’s top guitarists, including David Russell, Abel Carlevaro, Oscar Ghilia and Christopher Parkening.
John has performed as a soloist and in ensembles across the U.S., in Europe, and in South America. He moved to Portland, OR in 1999, where he became head of the music program at PCC. Since then, he has become a regular member of the Northwest music scene as he continues to perform in a wide variety of genres and styles. In 2006 John founded the Oregon Guitar Quartet along with David Franzen, Peter Zisa and Ian Luxton. John's other passions include gourmet cooking and traveling (he speaks a number of languages fluently). He also shares his time and talent with his wife and two children.