Poets, Misfits, Beggars and Shamans by Erich Avinger

In 1973 Erich was introduced to Brasilian composers Heitor Villa-Lobos, Egberto Gismonti and Tom Jobim through recordings brought from Brasil by a family friend, and began improvising on piano and nylon-string classical guitar. In 1976 he studied jazz guitar and piano, arranging and composition for a year at Morehead State University in Kentucky, afterwards traveling with rock bands before returning to pursue a career as a freelance rock, jazz and studio guitarist in Houston.

In the 80s Erich worked with big bands, the Houston Symphony Pops, Broadway roadshows, top 40, blues, rock, country, jazz and R&B organ groups, and played on numerous recording and jingle sessions at Huey Meaux's Sugarhill Studios as well as teaching jazz and rock guitar at several local colleges and prisons. Following this period Erich took a three year hiatus from performing music to study Eastern and Western Mysticism and Healing Arts before releasing his debut CD "Heart Magic" in 1989.

After the release of his second CD "Si" in 1990, Erich moved to Italy for a year where he performed in Verona, Florence and Rome. After his return to the U.S. Erich moved to Taos, New Mexico where he became immersed in Eastern philosophy and music, studying Raga, Indian rhythms and also

learning performance of the rare and exquisite sounding bansuri flute. Erich has performed and/or recorded at this time with Krisna Das, Jai Uttal, Phil Hollenbeck, and the group "Taos" which he also produced and engineered.

Erich began his return to the guitar and Western musical forms after moving back to Houston in 1995 and recording an inspired live show in Austin, Texas which was released, along with other tracks from New Mexico, as his third CD "Poets, Misfits, Beggars and Shamans" in 2000. During the years 1996 thru 2000 Erich also toured with jazz trumpeter Gary Gazaway (a.k.a. "El Buho"), playing with members of Phish,Walfredo Reyes Jr., and Victor Wooten. Currently Erich is living in Houston, Texas where he plays jazz gigs across the state and has recorded a live CD with jazz vocalist Kellye Gray

on which he is featured on his handmade archtop and 10 string classical guitars. Erich is developing material for a solo all-acoustic CD featuring his highly original improvisational approach to the classical guitar and combining Jazz, Brasilian and World Music influences.

"Moments of easy octave leaps, scalar runs and singing legato abandon...builds to a hair-raising crescendo with Avinger unveiling his nastiest grunge tones...an inpressive instrumentalist. - Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes Magazine

"Avinger's music blends elements of rock, jazz, andblues into a real jam. Erich has a unique style, one that clearly raises him to master level. He is up there with guitar greats from the jazz, rock, and blues world. Compared to JEFF BECK, ERIC JOHNSON, and PAT METHENY already, you can add other greats like STEVIE RAY VAUGHN, PHIL KEAGGEY, R. SMITH, C. SANTANA, and many other truly great guitar geniuses. 'Poets, Misfits, Beggars, and Shamans' is a powerful product, one that presents inspired jams, clean notes, and a personal style. Now if only the mass public can get a taste of this great talent. A great guitar based CD. Must listening. Recommended. The Critical Review

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