Acclaimed Scottish guitarist to hold workshop and concert

The master Scottish guitar player, Tony McManus, will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, and also hold a guitar workshop the same day, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., with both events taking place at Vashon Havurat.

The master Scottish guitar player, Tony McManus, will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, and also hold a guitar workshop the same day, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., with both events taking place at Vashon Havurat, at 15401 Westside Hwy SW.

Hailed by John Renbourn as “the best Celtic guitarist in the world,” McManus has also been listed as one of the 50 most transcendent guitarists of all time by Guitar Player Magazine.

His music draws on traditions from the entire Celtic world, along with further-ranging influences including jazz and eastern European music. McManus is increasingly being acknowledged as a pioneering figure in bridging the realms of Celtic music and other guitar genres.

Born in 1965 in Paisley, near Glasgow, McManus was introduced to traditional music via the family record collection. He took up the guitar at age 10. After making his name as an accompanist, he took the solo plunge with a main stage debut on the final night of the inaugural Celtic Connections Festival in 1994, in front of a 2,500-strong crowd.

Since that time, he has represented Celtic music at major festivals around the world. He also performed at the famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, in the “All-Star Guitar Night,” headlined by the legendary Les Paul.

Find out more about the artist at tonymcmanus.com. Get advance tickets to his show at the Havurah, $20 to $25, by emailing janstrolle@comcaset.net or calling 206-228-0730. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Masks are suggested.

Contact kat@kateggleston.com for details on McManus’ guitar workshop at the Havurah.