Author Archives: Marilynn

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AMGuSS under-30 Scholarship – Deadline extended!

Marilynn is extending the deadline to apply for the full and partial tuition scholarships for mandolinists and guitarists between the ages of 18 and 30. Applications are now due by March 1st. For details, see below: Read More »

Posted October 20th, 2018

Of Note

Playing Birdland

Marilynn had the opportunity to play on the famous stage of NYC’s Birdland jazz club in February as a special guest of Luiz Simas, Brazilian pianist and composer, her longtime musical collaborator. She played his lovely “Meu Bandolim,” that Luiz wrote for her early on in their partnership. The hall was packed and the program was amazing. Such a mid-winter  thrill!… Read More »

Posted March 19th, 2018

BrazilOf Note

Marilynn heading back to Rio!

Marilynn returns to Rio for the last half of April, to play and write choro, and join celebrations for the National Day of Choro (aka Pixinguinha’s birthday) and Jacob do Bandolim’s centenary. Birdland last month, Brazil next–transformation seems inevitable.… Read More »

Posted March 18th, 2018

Of Note

Jacob do Bandolim’ 100th birthday!

To celebrate Jacob do Bandolim’s 100th birthday and Valentine’s Day (USA)—February 14th, 2018— my love Paul and I played: Assanhado, Benzinho, Bola Preta, Bole Bole, Diabinho Maluco, Doce do Coco, Falta-me Voce, Feitico, Ginga do Mane, Gostosinho, Implicante, Migalhas de Amor, Noites Cariocas, Receita de Samba, Reminiscencias, Santa Morena, Simplicidade, Vibracoes, and Voo da Mosca on bandolim and 7-corde.

Happy Jacob Centenary to everyone I have ever played his music with!… Read More »

Posted February 14th, 2018

NewsPress

Marilynn joins 2018 Mandolin Mondays

Thanks to Scott Tichenor’s Mandolin Cafe, and David Benedict, creator of the “Mandolin Mondays” series, here’s my solo-mandolin arrangement and performance of Chiquinha Gonzaga’s “Gaucho.”… Read More »

Posted January 15th, 2018

Of Note

Wishing you a peaceful holiday!

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Posted December 20th, 2017

Of Note

Register for AMGuSS 2018 online

You can now register online for AMGuSS 2018 by clicking this link.

Or email Fran Rivkin, Registrar, at email hidden; JavaScript is required /* */ on how to pay by mail.… Read More »

Posted December 14th, 2017

News

Bossa magazine article & interview

The October 2017 issue of Bossa Brazilian Music online  focused on Choro music, and included an interview with Marilynn about her involvement with Choro, and an article she wrote, “The French Connection: From Chopin to Choro.” Click the links above to download the articles, or click on the magazine’s title to read the whole issue online.… Read More »

Posted November 30th, 2017

Of Note

Enigmatica’s Annual Blithewold Concert

Enigmatica gives its annual gift of music to the community on Saturday, December 9, at 3:00 PM, returning to Blithewold’s “Music in the Living Room” holiday series. Enigmatica donates its concert of Baroque, world and seasonal music to benefit Blithewold, so the music is free with admission to the mansion. This event is part of many folks’ holiday tradition, so we suggest you reserve a seat online for a couple of bucks extra, and arrive early.… Read More »

Posted November 28th, 2017

News

Need a unique gift for a music lover?

You can now buy all of Marilynn’s CDs and books on Amazon. They are listed by many sellers, including Marilynn’s own company, Uncommon Strings. Amazon ships worldwide so they are the convenient choice if you live outside the USA or Canada.

Click here for the CDs.

Click here for the books.Read More »

Posted November 28th, 2017
    • “Smudging the lines between folk and classical is an intrepid endeavor… Mair’s a superb mandolin player who has brought the instrument to unexpected places…” – Jim Macnie, The Providence Phoenix (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair has always had the keen ability to balance classical mandolin traditions and repertoire, while constantly breaking new musical ground…a superb and versatile mandolinist and composer.” – – Butch Baldassari, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Mair travels by mandolin to Brazil and brilliance… her commitment to the music shines through.” – Rick Massimo, The Providence Journal

    • “Stepping back to the 18th-century masterworks gave her the opportunity to highlight her technique with a fresh light… her playing is thoughtful, vibrant and a delight to listen to.” — Terence Pender, Mandolin Quarterly (USA)

    • “She’s a fabulous player with a wonderfully clear and lyrical sound.” – The Ottawa Citizen (Canada)

    • “Mair displays an exceptionally gifted approach to this music, using her formidable mandolin technique with grace and sensitivity… It’s the next best thing to a trip to Rio.” – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair performs Brazilian mandolin music… she plays the mandolin as an instrument for all occasions.” – Vaughn Watson, The Providence Journal (USA)

    • “Bring a talented ensemble of gifted musicians together playing some of the great concertos and chamber music pieces of the 1700s, present the extraordinary classical mandolinist Marilynn Mair front and center, and you have a rare combination of the right musicians performing the right music at the right time.” – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair é uma bandolinista americana de formação erudita” — Paulo Eduardo Neves, Agenda do Samba Choro (Brasil)

    • “Mair is unstoppable… capable of evoking any landscape, past or present, you’d care to conjure.” – Mike Caito, Providence Phoenix (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair on mandolin…touches the deepest and most engaging reaches of the ancient and passionate ‘Latin soul’.” – Carlos Agudelo, Billboard Magazine

    • “A lovely concert! We estimate your spell-bound and enthusiastic audience at close to 1800 people…” – Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors (USA)

    • “The final repeat of the melody transmitted a strong feeling of peace and tenderness that escaped no one in the audience. It is this sensitivity and subtleness that characterized the overall performance.” – Brian Hodel, Guitar Review (USA)

    • “A brilliant concert from beginning to end…The performance was extraordinary.” – La Rioja (Spain)

    • “A sparkling concert… absolutely brilliant!” – Guitar Magazine (England)

    • “Marilynn Mair acquits herself very well indeed, a most accomplished player, able to deal with the many intricacies the repertoire demands of her.” – Chris Kilvington, Classical Guitar (England)

    • “Marilynn Mair lives up to her reputation as an excellent mandolinist, with clear tone, a beautiful tremolo, and creative expressiveness.” – Zupfmusik Magazin (Germany)