Mark Lemaire and Twilight July 20, 2012

California performers Mark Lemaire and Twilight use beautiful two-part harmonies and virtuoso guitar playing to communicate the life stories we all share.

Mark Twang (Folkways Recordings) says: “It was an impeccable performance. Never have I witnessed such control of the steel stringed guitar’s sound. This was a flawless show.”

The music is both ethereal and deeply grounded, the guitar playing virtuosic and not quite like anything you’ve heard before. Berkeley songwriter Carol Denney says that “To call him a remarkable player would be a considerable understatement – just about nobody I know is doing what Mark can do on the guitar.” He’s shared the stage with Tracy Chapman, Maria Muldaur, The Dixie Dregs, and bass virtuoso Michael Manring. Recording studio experiences include work with producer Jimmy Miller (Rolling Stones, Blind Faith, Traffic), and Johnny Thunders (New York Dolls).

While Mark’s solo guitar compositions stand as complete statements, the message in the vocals adds another dimension. Mark performs with his partner, vocalist Cindy van Empel, as Mark Lemaire and Twilight. The songs Mark and Cindy sing are personal, but everyone can identify with them. They sing of the vicissitudes of love and the strange surprise of middle age creeping up on us. Audience member David Mears says: “I can listen to your songs and presentation for long periods of time. Why? The song themes resonate with my life experiences.” This is music for adults, yet with clarity and incisiveness appealing to the part of us that is ageless.

www.marklemaire.com