Fred Benedetti, MohaviSoul, Trails and Rails

The Acoustic Evenings series at the Athenaeum showcases some of the finest acoustic musicians in San Diego. Three acts fill each program and attentive audiences delight in the intimacy of the unplugged storytelling format. Refreshments are available at the intermission reception and post-concert meet-and-greet. San Diego Music Hall of Fame founder Jefferson Jay curates and hosts the concert series. The project advances the Athenaeum’s commitment to support diverse San Diego talent. Acoustic Evenings is an unforgettable and personal experience for San Diego music lovers.

Fred Benedetti

Fred Benedetti was born in Sasebo, Japan, and began playing the guitar at the age of 9. In 1986 he was one of the 12 guitarists chosen worldwide to perform in the Master Class of Andres Segovia at USC where Guitarra Magazine wrote:

“…Fred Benedetti amazed the audience with his performance of the Bach Chaconne…”

He has played locally with the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Opera, the Starlight Opera, the American Ballet Company, the Old Globe Theatre, Luciano Pavarotti, and jazz artist Dave Brubeck. He is a full-time professor of music at Grossmont College where he is the head of the guitar studies program; he is part of the SDSU guitar program with colleagues Robert Wetzel and Sean Bassett. Fred is listed in the prestigious “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers-2002” and received a “Most Influential Professor ” in 2001 from SDSU, the “NISOD” Excellence in Teaching award from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992 and an “Outstanding Chair” award in 1990 from Grossmont College.

MohaviSoul
MohaviSoul is a 6-piece, award-winning working band. The resurgence of acoustic music encouraged guitarist-singer Mark Miller and singer-mandolin player Randy Hanson to form MohaviSoul in 2012. The band’s blend of sounds, including bluegrass, folk, Americana, ballads, storytelling, and gypsy jazz, can be heard at festivals, clubs, private events, and radio shows throughout California and Nevada. Their first two CDs earned local and national accolades. Their unique brand of music reaches out to fans across the United States, Europe, Latin America, Australia, and Asia.

Trails and Rails

A love of Western history and cowboy and train songs inspired Walt Richards and Paula Strong to form Trails and Rails. They have performed extensively in the Southwest in various formats for over 25 years, and have been featured at many Western events, including the Cody Stampede, Wild West Fest at Calico Ghost Town, and Tombstone Western Music Festival. They recently expanded their repertoire to include 19th and 20th century popular and folk tunes.