FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Amherst, New York--Following a live concert tonight, WINNER emerged as the best rock guitarist on the continent during the North American Rock Guitar Competition. Featuring finalists from different countries including Canada, Brazil and Russia, the event took place at the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts as part of the 7th annual Buffalo Niagara Guitar Festival.
Jamie Robinson, from Pickering Ontario, was awarded a cash prize of $1,500 and a Les Paul Supreme valued at $4,718. He also received the Tommy Tedesco Award, named in honor of the Niagara Falls, New York native billed as “the most recorded guitarist in history” by Guitar Player magazine. Second place was awarded to Anton Tsyganov of Moscow and third place to Dan Peters of Illinois.
"This has been an absolutely amazing experience and the best part was meeting the other finalists," Robinson said. "These were all incredible players and because of that, it felt more like a huge celebration of the guitar rather than a competition."
Robinson, a devoted, 17-year-old Canadian rocker, works daily on songwriting, performing, recording and building a portfolio, and has been known to practice 8 to 11 hours a day for months at a time. His distinctive, original flavor shines in infectious tunes inspired by a pure passion for music. He describes his style as a “hot hybrid crafted from the finest rock, jazz and electronic elements.”
“The caliber of musicianship of all of these individuals blew me away,” said Competition judge Terry Lickona, Executive Producer of the acclaimed PBS music series Austin City Limits. “It was tough at times not to feel like you were choosing the best among equals.” Lickona is also the Chairman of the Board of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the organization that bestows the annual Grammy Awards, music's highest honor.
Along with Terry Lickona, final performances were judged by renowned celebrity shredder John 5, guitarist for Rob Zombie and formerly with Marilyn Manson, Jude Gold, associate editor of Guitar Player magazine; Beth Marlis, the director of the Guitar Institute of Technology, and Gibson Guitars executive Frank Johns.
Entries were solicited through Guitar Player magazine and via the internet. Submissions were rated on the following criteria: technique/accuracy; range and variety; choice of material; melodic and rhythmic creativity; and overall artistry/musical expression.
This year's event was once again hosted by Queen V, lead singer and front woman for her band Queen V from New York City. The North American Rock Guitar Competition was sponsored by Cricket, Gibson, Fichte-Endl Eye Associates, Guitar Player magazine, West Seneca Music Center, and Long & McQuade Musical Instruments. Media support was provided by 97 Rock and 103.3 The Edge.
In addition to the competition, the week-long festival featured renowned rock, blues, and classical guitarists.
WNED, the public broadcasting station serving Western New York and Southern Ontario, began the Buffalo Niagara Guitar Festival in 2001 as part of its ongoing community mission “to enlighten, inspire, entertain and educate.”
