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Bio
With over 300 performances in the last few years, its clear that audiences are enthralled by Chuck's ability to create an orchestra of melody, harmony and counterpoint from the six string guitar. As one of Washington, D.C.'s preeminent guitarists, the press described his playing as "a one man acoustic jam" and a "guitarist (who) slides his fingers down from basic chord positions into often unchartered territory. Durfor uses these techniques to blend folk, jazz, blues and ragtime into one show."Equally at home performing to Festival crowds (e.g., the New England Folk Festival, the National Zoo, the Chespeake Bay Martime Musuem, Folk Festivals at Herndon, VA and Takoma Park, MD, the Full Circle Festival in Maine and First Night in Alexandria, VA ) or in more intimate settings (e.g., The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC, the Strathmore Arts Center (Bethesda, MD)
and the Arts Councils of Prince Georges, Howard and Cecil Counties), Chuck tours from Maine to Virginia. His recognized mastery of fingerstyle guitar has resulted in airplay on National Public Radio as well as in-studio performances on numerous local TV and radio programs.
With over 25 years of fingers on the fret board, Chuck draws inspiration from many sources. His integration of folk and jazz voicings is a hallmark of the British folk/baroque guitarists Bert Jansch and John Renbourn. From the American country blues of Rev. Gary Davis comes an earthy syncopation making you shimmy and shout. And yet, the intriguing chord changes and instrument counterpoint of his original compositions reflect 12 years of classical training. The sum? An architecture of time, sound and silence from a musician that the Press say, always "manages to surprise you."
In August 2000 Chuck released his debut recording, Fallen / Forgotten, which features Baltimore's premier soprano saxophonist/flutist, Howard Burns and WAMMIE award-winning vocalist Connie McKenna. The CD contains 9 original fingerstyle guitar compositions and 4 additional songs by Bert Jansch and Dave Goulder. Of the recording, the General Manager of Radio Del Ray, Randal Allen said, "Chuck Durfor's new CD, Fallen Forgotten reveals his exceptional guitar style. Listening to the album is to take a relaxing journey experiencing a broad range of talent. It is a beautiful recording which deserves a lot of attention." Equally exciting are the new compositions which Chuck showcases at his performances. Recording of this second CD is scheduled to begin this summer.
The Guitar - Chuck favors a 1995 Gibson Advanced Jumbo. First released in 1935, the AJ is one of Gibson's few rosewood guitars. Eldon Whitford, historian and author of (Gibson's Fabulous Flat Tops) says, "Professionals feel that the Gibson AJ is the best guitar ever designed for pure power, tone, clarity and balance."
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