Martin Taylor is a Grammy nominated fingerstyle guitarist, solo jazz guitar virtuoso and online guitar teacher. Pat Metheny says Martin Taylor is "one of the most awesome solo guitar players in the history of the instrument" while Jeff Beck thinks Taylor "out-shreds all of us put together….I’ve never seen anything like it". As one of the world's most popular online guitar teachers and providers of guitar lessons online, Taylor now helps people in over 58 countries learn how to play guitar and become better guitarists.
He has collaborated with the biggest names in guitar music including Tommy Emmanuel, Jeff Beck, Chet Atkins, Frank Vignola, Barney Kessell, Earl Klugh, Herb Ellis, Scotty Moore, Julian Lage, Andreas Oberg, Albert Lee, Ulf Wakenius, Tony McManus, Martin Simpson and Laurence Juber. In addition to this he has been awarded two honorary doctorates, a BBC lifetime achievement award, an IAJE Jazz Educators award, Top 10 albums in both the USA and UK, a record 14 British Jazz Awards and in 2002 he was appointed MBE 'For Services to Jazz Music' by the Queen of Great Britain. Today his online jazz guitar lessons and fingerstyle guitar videos have been watched by over 1 million guitarists worldwide.
D'Agostino, a native of Italy, has been hailed as “a guitarist's guitarist” by Acoustic Guitar magazine as well as “a giant of the acoustic guitar” (San Diego Reader), and holds many top guitar awards - even his Peppino D'Agostino Seagull Signature Guitar model was ranked in June 2014 as one of the 10 best signature guitars by Guitar Player Magazine.
D’Agostino has performed in more than 31 countries; been featured at prestigious international music festivals, and frequently plays with prominent artists around the world, including Tommy Emmanuel, Leo Kottke, Martin Taylor, and Eric Johnson. His 18 recordings include releases on Favored Nations, Mesa/Bluemoon, Acoustic Music Records, and other labels.
When not performing D’Agostino also enjoys teaching. He has made various teaching videos, has individual students, and through the years has been a guest instructor at various guitar programs such as Creative Vacances in La Moreau, France, Acoustic Alaska Guitar Camp, Swannanoa Gathering, and Guitar Workshop Plus. Truefire, an online instruction company, has released two courses in which D’Agostino explains his influential guitar techniques and approach to composition. One thing is true – Peppino is always thinking guitar.
Friday 24th January 2020
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Students Arrive
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Opening Session: Welcome & Introductions
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Workshop I
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Dinner
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm Open Mic
Saturday 25th January 2020
9:30 am – 10:30 am Workshop II
11:00 am - 12:30 pm Workshop III
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm Lunch
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Workshop IV
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Coffee Break
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Workshop V
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Dinner
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm Open Mic
Sunday 26th January 2020
9:30 am – 11:00 am Workshop VI
11:30 am - 1:00 pm Workshop VII
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm Lunch
2:15 pm – 3:30 pm Workshop VIII
3:30pm - 4:00 pm Coffee Break
4:00 pm - 5:30 Workshop IX
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Performance at Local Venue (optional)
Q. When does the retreat take place?
A. The retreat classes run from the Friday afternoon until Sunday evening.
Q. Where does the retreat take place?
A. The retreat classes will take place at Upstairs at First Street Cafe in downtown Benicia and a nearby venue. Upon registration you will receive a Fact Sheet with location information. Six weeks before the retreat you will receive the final retreat schedule.
Q. What is the cost?
A. The cost per participant is $1499 and $199 for non-participating partners.
Q. Can my partner attend even though they won't participate in the classes.
A. Absolutely, non-participating partners are very welcome and the price per non-participating partner is $199 which can be purchased at the link below. Partners may also sit in on a workshop session or two as long as there is adequate space in the room. See the button on this page to register your partner when registration opens.
Q. What is your cancellation policy?
A. You can receive a full refund minus any credit card fees within the first 30 days of booking. Please consider getting travel insurance to cover unexpected occurrences.
Q. What about accommodation?
A. Accommodations are not included in the price of your retreat ticket. Upon registration you will receive a Fact Sheet with links to nearby hotels/inns. These include the Shorelight Inn , Inn at Benicia Bay, Union Hotel (all in the center of the small downtown area of Benicia and a five minute walk from each other) and the Heritage Inn and Holiday Inn Express which is a little further away. Call or go online to make your reservations for accommodations as soon as possible - there is limited availability at each location. It is your responsibility to make and attend to your lodging reservation. If you make a reservation with the front desk person, they will let you know if they provide a discount because you are attending the Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat. You can also check out AirBnB.
Q. Who can I contact if I have other questions related to the retreat?
A. Please email dwapner@sbcglobal.net
Q. Can you accommodate those with dietary issues?
A. We are happy to cater for people with diet issues. Vegetarian, vegans and basic diet requirements are included in the price - just let us know by emailing Donna Wapner here.
Q. Are the retreat venues suitable for those with mobility issues?
A. We are not able to accommodate anyone with severe mobility problems. Please get in touch with dwapner@sbcglobal.net to discuss your particular needs.
Q. How do I get there?
A. You can travel to Benicia either by air or road.
By air: Benicia is usually 45minutes from Oakland International Airport and an hour from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Public transportation to Benicia from the airports include: BART (to Pleasant Hill) - www.bart.gov - and Evans Airporter to Vallejo - www.evanstransportation.com. From BART taxi or Rideshare to Benicia.