An Evening of Acoustic Guitar Virtuosity

Teja Gerken and Mark Kostrzewa Celebrate Their CD Releases

An evening of acoustic guitar virtuosity honoring these two great Northern California instrumentalists' recent release of their respective third solo CDs. Teja's "Test of Time" and Mark's "Woodenhouse." This will be a guitar lover's event with pieces featured on 6 and 12 string guitar, resonator, nylon string, baritone and more. Opening act Montara's own "Holler Folk" to warm up the hall for the evening.

Teja Gerken

San Francisco Bay Area guitarist Teja Gerken has enchanted audiences ever since coming onto the acoustic fingerstyle scene in the late 1990s. Initially influenced by guitarists such as John Renbourn, Michael Hedges, and Leo Kottke, Teja ultimately began weaving together his diverse musical interest into a style that is his own, releasing his debut album On My Way in 1999. In the two decades since, Teja has fine-tuned his sets to include original compositions, Celtic traditionals, classical pieces, jazz standards, and some favorite tunes by his fingerstyle guitar peers, several of which are included on 2005’s Postcards. Teja’s latest release is 2024’s Test of Time, and he also collaborated with fellow Bay Area guitarist Doug Young on 2020’s Duets.

Mark Kostrzewa

Mark's styles are influenced by Michael Hedges, Pat Metheny, Lawrence Juber, Alex DeGrassi, Tommy Emmanuel, Al DiMeola, Leo Kottke and Pierre Bensusan for starters. Other influences include Guinga, Baden Powell and Jobim in the Brazilian genre.

General admission. $30 donation. Limited seating. Please reserve. Wine, beer and other beverages will be available for purchase.

We appreciate your generous donation that supports the Youth Services Committee and other programs of the Half Moon Bay Odd Fellows. Seating is general admission so arrive early for the best seats. Doors open at 6:30.