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I try to write in general terms, somewhat dispassionately, about the artists and events in Long Beach. Unfortunately, I cannot do so now.

I must, in fact, compel you to go, without fail, to Exhibit [A] Gallery at 7:00pm this evening where LBCreative is hosting a free performance by two world renowned musicians, Bert Lams and Tom Griesgraber.

Bert Lams is probably best known as a member of the California Guitar Trio, which has played in venues large and small around the world.

The trio arose from a meeting of the members at one of Robert Fripp's Guitar Craft classes. Lams participated in recordings and performances by Fripp's League of Crafty Guitarists and, shortly thereafter, co-founded the trio with Paul Richards and Hideyo Moriya.

His early musical education took place at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels, Belgium, and his 2005 solo album, Nascent, features original transcriptions of Bach Preludes on steel string guitar.

He is as masterful an instrumentalist as you will ever hope to see, anywhere, ever.

Now, to Tom Griesgraber. He graduated with honors from the much acclaimed Berklee College of Music, with electric guitar as his main instrument. Soon after, however, he abandoned the guitar for the Chapman Stick, a 10 string fretted instrument that is played with both hands, by tapping the strings against the frets.

There are a number of famous Stick players, including Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabrial, Alice Cooper, etc) and Trey Gunn (King Crimson, TOOL, Eno, etc) but Tom's mastery of the instrument is breathtaking. He has elivated it, both technically and compositionally, to a musical plateau unsurpassed by very few, on any instrument.

These two artistic masters have joined forces and, rest assured, the resulting music will be inspired, and inspiring.

Of course, LBCreative will also present its usual mix of visual art, poetry, food, and fashion, but that shouldn't deter you from attending solely for the musical performance.

If you like music of any kind, at all, go.

Exhibit [A] Gallery is located at 555 Pine Avenue, and 2 hours free parking is available at the CityPlace structure across the street. You have no excuse. Go.

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