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A strum in the right direction
Prominent classical guitarist James Hunley to play at Sultana Theater Aug. 4

James Hunley plays his classical guitar at the edge of Grand Canyon. Submitted photo

James Hunley plays his classical guitar at the edge of Grand Canyon. Submitted photo

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Tunes from the 1950s and '60s might represent what Route 66 is all about, but on Aug. 4 experience a different kind of sound when renowned classical guitarist James Hunley takes the Sultana Theatre stage.

With a studio based in Los Angeles and concert tours that take the 48-year-old all over the world, life can get a little hectic. To return to a more spiritual balance, Hunley and his students retreat annually to the Grand Canyon. This year however, the group has decided to base themselves in Williams.

"We are bringing up about 22 people to Williams this summer," Hunley said, who considers the small mountain town the most beautiful in the world. "We've stayed at the El Tovar a couple times and we actually like staying in Williams better, it's just a lot more fun. The restaurants and the people are so nice."

American Flyer Coffee Shop owner Donya Hadder met Hunley back in February and, after seeing the stage inside, asked if he could set up some kind of informal recital. Hadder, excited about the possibility of bringing classical guitar to Williams, helped him book the Sultana Theatre.

"He was just walking around downtown, stuck his head in and said 'this place is awesome,' she said. "He liked what the Flyer was doing in trying to bring in local artists and just at the time there were a whole lot of high school students in here playing the guitar, and he thought that was really cool and liked the community feel."

During the recital at the Sultana Theatre, Hunley will play top 40 classical guitar pieces. In other words, contemporary compositions that have made the instrument famous.

"The whole program will be filled with those types of pieces," Hunley said. "Also, I have almost a running dialogue with the audience so it's very fun. I spend a lot of time just chatting about pieces or sharing antecdotes. It's like classical guitar with humor."

The next day at 11 a.m., Hunley's students will play an informal recital at American Flyer Coffee Shop. If you go, you'll hear similar pieces to what Hunley played the night before, along with some classics.

"When I say students, there are no young people really, but most are actors, business people, computer programmers," he said. "They'll be playing pieces that they've been working on, all pretty accessible pieces of music."

At 13-years-old, Hunley became passionate about the guitar. He said he would begin practice at 4 a.m. and pick it up again after school, playing late into the evening.

While his family was living in San Angelo, Texas, the young Hunley performed in local restaurants where several patrons took note of his performance. One patron, the Hal Noelke family was so taken by his playing that they offered to sponsor his future studies.

At the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he gained a foundation in music technique, an aspect he would continue to explore and develop the historic techniques of the classical guitar masters. Over the years, he has woven those techniques into an individual style and interpretation.

According to Hunley's website, a strong affirmation of Hunley's technical prowess on the guitar came years ago from Luthier John Gilbert, whose guitars are among the most sought after in the world. The waiting list for a Gilbert guitar is over 23 years away, but Hunley's impressive playing skill secured a guitar after just one.

Presently, Hunley divides his time between performing and television/recording production.

Hunley has hosted three seasons of the U.S. television shows that both instructs and communicates the internal dialogue of acoustic music. His second solo CD is now in its second pressing.

Tickets are available for the Aug. 4 concert at American Flyer Coffee Shop. For more information, call (928) 464-3766.


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