Guitarist Michael Kelsey Plays Tonight
Tonight at the Central Park Plaza in Warsaw, progressive guitarist Michael Kelsey will take the stage beginning at 7 p.m. as part of the the Central Park Concert Series.
Kelsey is a rhythmic guitarist and performance artist who blends many musical genres with fervor and grace. When he hits the stage to perform, he plays every inch of his guitar pulling out every part of it or anything else an arm’s length or foot kick away. Through out a performance, Kelsey may make use of technology, his improve skills, objects in the room and audience interaction to make music for the ears but more importantly a musical experience for the senses.
Born and raised in Lafayette, he began his musical journey weaving in and out of successful area bands as lead guitarist or bassist. Later he opened and ran a thriving recording studio, which after five years he retired in order to enable him to embark freely on his career as a solo artist.
His naturally soulful vocal illuminates carefully chosen lyrics that make his songs shimmer and shine. He plays expressively and manipulates the guitar to create a melodic fusion of alternate tunings and unorthodox hand positions allowing for him to achieve a full sound. The true beauty is in the way the song, the sound and the motion of his music unites. The songs, especially the lush instrumentals, can be reminiscent of the late, great Michael Hedges, but boast Kelsey’s personal percussive stamp, exceptional arrangement and deliberate instrumentation.
His live performances are particularly moving. Sometimes he sounds as if he’s deftly playing more than one guitar. At a Kelsey show audience members may actually lose themselves in the moment and forget they are listening to one person. They can be tapping their foot one minute, in a deep trance the next, then bursting into laughter.