Preston Reed learned his first chords on the guitar from his father, had a very brief flirtation with the ukulele and developed his technique by playing along to his favourite Beatles and Stones records. Turned away from the guitar by the strict code of a classical guitar teacher, his interest was rekindled by the rootsy blues of Jefferson Airplane offshoot, Hot Tuna.

Preston Reed studied the style and skills of guitar luminaries such as John Fahey and Leo Kottke as a means to creating his own distinctive style. He got to display his prodigious talents to his first live audience when he supported the beat poet, Allen Ginsberg at the Smithsonian Institute.

Reed made a big breakthrough with his technique when he decided to go beyond his exhaustive finger picking abilities to a two-handed fretboard style. This involved Reed laying the guitar flat on his lap and using his thumbs, fists and hands to get an exhilarating, percussive sound from his guitar. The deep sensitivity that informs his performances have drawn comparisons with the lyricism and melodic ingenuity of the great jazz piano legend, Bill Evans.

Preston Reed signed his first record deal with MCA and has released thirteen albums, three videos and played in three continents.  Reed's compositional talents have extended to film soundtracks and a prestigious commission for the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet. In 1997 he made a historic live satellite broadcast on Turkish National Television playing with renowned saz player and composer, Arif Sag.

A man who's brilliant innovations have opened up exciting new possibilities for the acoustic guitar, Preston Reed plays The Hub on the 2nd.

Preston Reed
Walton's Guitar Festival of Ireland 2005

Time: 8pm
Tickets: €13/€15

The Hub
Eustace St,
Temple Bar,
Dublin 2.
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 6707655