Whidbey guitarists headline annual Seattle ‘Day of Love’ concert

Two Whidbey Island guitar virtuosi, Andre Feriante and Troy Chapman, will star in the long-running annual “Day of Love” concert Feb. 15 at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall.

Called “Anatomie de L’Amour,” the two-hour show will mark the 20th consecutive year that Feriante, a classical guitarist, has staged the show at Benaroya’s 500-seat Nordstrom Recital Hall.

The Freeland resident credits his guitar for coming up with the idea for a Valentine’s Day show.

The well-worn instrument made of rosewood has traveled around the world the past four decades as Feriante mesmerized audiences with a blend of classical, flamenco and Brazilian instrumental styles.

“I thought Valentine’s Day would be a great day for a Spanish guitar concert,” said Feriante. “The Spanish guitar can’t help itself, it’s has a voice that is sensual, nostalgic and romantic. It just makes you feel good.”

Chapman, a jazz guitarist, played in the well-established band, Pearl Django, among others, and now leads the gypsy jazz band, Hot Club of Troy. He’s teamed up with Feriante for several performances, including “Cythara: The History of the World According to the Guitar,” performed at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in November.

Two years ago, Feriante moved from Seattle to Freeland. He’s become a regular on the South Whidbey scene, appearing at wineries, private patio parties and nonprofit fundraisers. He also started the Whidbey Island Guitar Festival, which takes place in the summer.

The day after the Benaroya concert, Feriante is lending his talents to the fundraising dinner for the Ryan’s House for Youth “Big Red Event.”

Feriante is well-known around the Northwest and Seattle region, where he’s lived the past 30 years. He’s played at The Triple Door, performed the national anthem for sporting events at Key Arena and Qwest Field and shared the stage with the Northwest Symphony, Heart, and Alice in Chains.

He’s also played at Carnegie Hall in New York City, regularly toured northern Europe and released 14 albums.

Feriante’s “Day of Love” concert premiered in 1991 at Seattle Art Museum. The show moved to Benaroya Hall where he played first as a solo act and then with an ensemble.

“We explore an array of human emotion in music and some of the songs speak directly to love, but it’s not a straight ahead Valentine’s Day concert where we play a lot of standards,” Feriante said. “Its about the exploration of beauty through music, lyrics and dance.”

The show is an entourage of artists and instruments and a blend of cultures and musical diversity, including opera. He plans to play eight different instruments: baglama, cuatro, harp guitar, ukulele, charango, electric guitar, banjo and Spanish guitar.

Chapman and Feriante have distinctly different styles and love to meander into joyful jamming sessions.

“Andre and I are definitely two sides to the same coin,” Chapman said. “He’s the consummate classical guitarist. I studied jazz guitar and played in rock and jazz bands.

“The thing that brings us together is a very deep and abiding love for the guitar itself.”

Feriante wants his Feb. 15 show to inspire people to let go of their busy lives, take a few moments to de-stress and feel a spark of energy from the creative forces of music and movement — more dolce vita Italiana perhaps, and less Americano frenetico.

Born in Naples, Italy to an Italian father and an American mother from Sunnyside, Feriante moved to Yakima at age 17. At age 21, he was accepted to perform and study with the Spanish guitar maestro, Andres Segovia.

Among the performers of Feriante’s Bohemian Entourage: Anil Prasad on East Indian tabla, Eric Fridrich, blues guitar and Shawn Berit, one of several vocalists. Another singer, Steve Thoreson, is a tenor who topped “Sweden’s Got Talent” in 2011. Also, flamenco dancer Deseo Carmin returns to perform while belly dancer Nalini makes her debut at the annual show.

• Andre Feriante and the Bohemian Entourage perform “Anatomie de L’Amour” 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15 at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle. Tickets are $42 for adults; $32 for youth and seniors. Go to www.andreferiante.com or call 866.833.4747 for information.