Photo via Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts
Leo Kottke and Julian Lage
Leo Kottke and Julian Lage
Leo Kottke helped define fingerstyle guitar playing. His album 6- And 12-String Guitar aka “the armadillo record” was released at the dawn of the ‘70s and became hugely influential.
Kottke’s connection to Milwaukee was recently highlighted by founder-director of UWM’s finger-style guitar program John Stropes’ recently published 6- and 12-String Guitar: A Companion, a handsomely designed, two-volume set of Kottke transcriptions plus commentary and interviews with the guitarist. “Frankly, I was overwhelmed by a musician doing something so interesting,” Stropes said, recalling the 1969 album’s impact.
Julian Lage, who recently has been playing as part of Bob Dylan’s touring band, is at Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Aug. 19-23.
Lage’s Master Class is a multi-day event for guitarists of all levels seeking to deepen their personal practice and integrate foundational skills in a regenerative way. Teachings will take the form of large and small group classes, lectures and performances, all led by Lage and a faculty of his closest collaborators and fellow practitioners. All players from all traditions are welcomed.
Singular artistry and collaboration
For this performance Kottke and Lage each bring their singular artistry to the stage before joining forces for a special collaboration that celebrates the limitless possibilities of the acoustic guitar. Spanning folk, blues, jazz and American roots music, this performance showcases two of the instrument's most inventive and influential voices.
This rare opportunity to hear a pair of master guitarists in collaboration connects the foundation and future of guitar music.
Leo Kottke and Julian Lage, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20
At Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts
3270 Mitchell Park Dr., Brookfield
More info here https://www.wilson-center.com/calendar/2026/8/20/leo-kottke-and-julian-lage
