Preservation New Jersey is pleased to welcome back Scott “Danger” Bravo and Vin Downes in a concert of three solo acoustic guitar masters in the beautiful setting and acoustics of the historic landmark 1867 Sanctuary at Ewing!

It is rare that such solo musical talent appears in concert in our area, outside of noisy bars and restaurants. Think Tommy Emmanuel, Will Ackerman… Performers love when people come to pay attention to their music. And you will love Scott Bravo’s music.

Scott’s guitar playing style falls into the “finger style” genre but he’s much more. He actually uses a pick and one finger in whats come to be known as “sloth style” playing. He started his musical life as a heavy metal guitarist and because of that brings a large bag of tricks to the acoustic guitar. Scott easily moves through varied musical styles from the delta blues of “Stabby with the Cabby”, to the Celtic styled “Blood Sweat and 40 Years” into the jazz infused new age offering, “NY Smile.”

Scott is also, as an entertainer, downright entertaining. His stories about his childhood, life and a myriad of other topics are full of hilarity and whimsy. He has been called a master of the guitar and a virtuoso by such finger style luminaries as Lance Allen, Vin Downes and Ken Bonfield. When not performing he spends his time writing, scoring and teaching guitar in and around NYC.

For more information about, and music of, Scott Bravo visit www.scottdangerbravo.com.

Vin Downes (www.vindownes.com) began studying guitar at the age of eleven. His early interests were in electric guitar, but this all changed when he heard the opening notes of David Cullen’s “Along the Way” on a Windham Hill Records guitar sampler. He immediately immersed himself in the fingerstyle music of Will Ackerman, Michael Hedges, David Cullen and Leo Kottke.

Greatly influenced by the music of artists on Windham Hill Records in the late 1980’s, Downes furthered his interest of fingerstyle technique and composition by earning a degree in classical guitar performance and music education from William Paterson University. While at WPU, he studied classical composition and had several of his compositions performed by soloists and ensembles, including the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble, Helix Ensemble and members of the Composer’s Guild of New Jersey.

Vin Downes has released four studio albums, two of which, including his newest January 2017 release, When the Sea Lets Go, were produced by Grammy Award winning guitarist and producer, Will Ackerman. He is currently a performing member of “The Gathering – A Concert Series presented by Will Ackerman”. He has recorded and performed with musicians including Will Ackerman, Tom Eaton, Michael Manring, Eugene Friesen, Liz Story and Tony Levin.

Vin Downes is a public school music teacher in New Jersey, where he currently teaches classical guitar at Bayonne High School.

Tickets are $20 for General Admission, $15 for Friends of the Sanctuary, and only $5 for school and college students with ID. Tickets may be purchased online below by selecting your ticket option and clicking on the “Buy Now” link to use credit or debit card or your PayPal account. If ordering two or three ticket types, each type must be purchased in a separate order. You will receive an email confirmation of each purchase. WE DO NOT MAIL TICKETS; tickets purchased online will be held “will call” at the box office; please print and bring your receipt in case it is needed to confirm your purchase.

GROUP RATES are now available! Choose the Group ticket option and each ticket will have a $5 discount from the General Admission price (same as the Friends of the 1867 Sanctuary ticket price)! Group rate tickets must be purchased in quantities of 10 or more within a single purchase. Group rates apply only to advance online sales and cannot be purchased at the box office prior to the concert. Groups must present themselves at the box office at the same time. For group orders of fewer than 10 people, the full General Admission rate (less the amount prepaid) may be required at the box office at the time of admission. Group rates do not apply to Student prices.

Tickets may be reserved at the box office for payment by cash, check or credit card by calling 609-392-6409 or emailing 1867sanctuary@preservationnj.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door as space allows.

The 1867 Sanctuary is wheelchair accessible using the ramp on the left side of the building.