Guitarmania to Beatlemania featuring Laurence Juber

Grammy guitarist Laurence Juber

The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) and C. F. Martin & Co. are proud to present in August “Guitarmania to Beatlemania: The Evolution of the Acoustic Guitar,” featuring renowned Grammy Award-winning guitarist Laurence Juber. 

The show begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012, at the MIM Music Theater, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. Tickets range from $22.50 to $27.50 and can be purchased by calling 480.478.6000, visiting online at theMIM.org or visiting the MIM Ticket Office.

Acoustic guitar aficionados are in for a rare treat during an evening that will showcase one of America’s favorite instruments and feature a concert performance by a true guitar virtuoso. Presented by Dick Boak, Martin’s museum director and archivist, Juber will discuss his work composing, recording, and performing as the lead guitarist with Paul McCartney in his band Wings and Juber’s own successful solo career. 

LJ plays the Beatles' "Drive My Car"

“The Beatles inspired me play guitar. Martin build the guitar that I am inspired to play and it’s an honor that this historic company make my signature instrument,” Juber said. “I’ll look forward to performing my concert set at MIM and accompanying Dick Boak as he explores the history of the C.F.Martin company and of the acoustic guitar in America.” 

Juber embarked on a career as a solo artist, composer, and arranger after years spent playing lead guitar with Paul McCartney and Wings. Juber’s solo albums include "LJ Plays the Beatles", one of Acoustic Guitar magazine’s all-time top recordings. Boak, author of Martin Guitar Masterpieces and Martin Guitars: A History, is also a woodworker, draftsman, guitar designer and builder, Martin’s public relations liaison, guitarist, and is responsible for some of the most unique collaborations with top celebrity guitarists to design and build the finest instruments made at C. F. Martin & Co. 

LJ interviewed by Jim Deeming

This past April Juber released “Soul of Light” (Solid Air Records), his 20^th solo project. He recently contributed to “Chimes of Freedom”, an Amnesty International benefit disc on which he joins Seal and Jeff Beck for a version of Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone.” Diablo 3, the latest version of the popular video game, features his music. An instructional app for the iPad is also in the works and he and his wife Hope, just inked a deal with a New York City producer bring “Gilligan’s Island: The Musical” to Broadway.