-By Kate Bartlett-
The Banq will again host renown guitar virtuoso and composer Mir Ali next Friday, October 21. Mir has been described by Acoustic Guitar magazine as “an exceptional nylon string guitarist,” as “mesmerizing and hypnotic” by National Public Radio and as “Innovative and eclectic” by Soundboard magazine. The village is honored to welcome this musical talent and invites all to come experience his gift. The show is free to attend and starts at 7pm at 9 Washington Street.
Mir was born and raised in Pakistan until he was 9 years old, when he moved to the US to live with his aunt. His passion for music came about when he became very homesick and missing his parents. “My Aunt, who was my guardian and an amateur classical guitarist, persuaded me to start taking lessons. This was a significant moment in my life as my entire world became consumed by music and the guitar. While the other kids were playing in the streets, my late afternoons and evenings were devoted to guitar practice; the music and the guitar took over and I feel lucky and blessed.”
His first teachers were Oswald Rantucci in Buffalo NY, one of the leading classical guitar teachers in the US at the time. After high school, he studied at DePaul University with Richard Pick and with Aaron Shearer at Winston Salem, School of the Arts during the summer. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree, he traveled to Spain on a special program to study Flamenco. After returning to the US, he did his graduate studies at the University of Akron.
Mir is a published composer and has five CDs commercially available with many of his original compositions. He has also won the Hollywood Award of Excellence for his movie score for the short film “Roots & Branches.” His repertoire is vast and ranges from classical, Flamenco, Latin and world music. “I connect with all those cultures; I have also lived in many of those parts of the world. I find the music is very rich and captivating as well as connecting me to my roots.”
Mir has performed on tours, concerts, masterclasses, and a variety of competitions spanning five continents. He has won several international competitions and taught at various Universities in the US, Canada and Europe. He established Amherst School of Guitar/ASG Music Studios in Williamsville in 1982, where he still directs the music and guitar program. Visit www.ASGMusicStudios.com for more information.
Mir has been awarded many accolades, but finds pleasure in the simple things, many of them not having to do with music. “I love teaching all ages and my passion has really become horses. I have two and they are at the center of my life. They grew up with me since they were five months old and I spend many hours with them out in the open, sleep in the stall with them and train them, ride them but in a very organic and natural way.”
Mir grew up listening to all kinds of music from The Beatles and Johnny Cash to Johann Sebastian Bach. “Paco De Lucia, a world-renowned Flamenco artist was a definite inspiration. Music from Spain, India, Pakistan, Gipsy music and also music from many other cultures including Bluegrass, Jazz is also in the mix. But the one name which had me from the beginning and continues to haunt me in a pretty amazing manner is Johann Sebastian Bach. He has been the biggest inspiration for music and in life.”
“Lately I gain inspiration from just listening, I mean really listening to someone like Eva Cassidy, Thelonius Monk, the Berlin Philharmonic. It takes 100% of your undivided attention. This is tough to do in today’s world with such short attention spans!”
What makes his music unique, is his voice. “I try not to copy anyone else and have my own voice. This has always been a great struggle being that history has already produced so many extraordinary artists. It is almost impossible to invent new things. I love performing, making people happy and taking them to a different place through music.
“I would advise aspiring musicians to work hard to be at the top of your game by doing the best you can and make sure you love your work with passion regardless of what the world says. Remember, you are rich if your wants are less than your needs.”
Visit www.Mir-Ali.com for his full biography, recordings, and upcoming events, and hear his music live at The Banq at the free show October 21 at 7pm.