Matt Richards / Katherine Barbato Duo Perform at Dalet Art Gallery

On Friday November 16^th the acoustic duo of guitarist Matt Richards and flutist Katherine Barbato will perform at the Dalet Art Gallery, 141 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia PA, 19106. The concert begins at 7pm. Admission for the show is $10 / $5 for children 14 and under.

While the musical pairing of guitar and flute most often features classical repertoire, Matt and Katherine draw upon jazz, Brazilian music and original compositions with just a hint of classical influence. "We didn't want to perform the usual works for guitar and flute," Matt explains. "I suggested we bring different ideas and arrangements to genres that involve more spontaneity and improvisation. Katherine was interested in giving it a try and it's been working very well."

Though the duo now shares a common musical path, they traveled along very individual artistic routes before this collaboration. Matt has earned a reputation as a genre-defying guitarist, both in his solo work and with his high-energy jazz trio, the Matt Richards Group. His approach to the guitar isn't easily defined by a single musical category but includes jazz, Latin, classical and contemporary influences. Katherine has excelled in a predominantly classical idiom, performing in duos, small ensembles and orchestras as well in a solo context. "Our individual approaches are complimentary," Matt says, "and Katherine's technical skill is infused with a fantastic sense of musicality. I always push my own playing further by responding to Katherine's musical ideas and it's a delight."

Matt has performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival, NAMM Winter and Summer shows, Daniel Pearl Days and SUNOCO Welcome America celebrations. He has performed on-screen in the independent film Smoke And Mirrors. He has performed with a range of artists, including Mike Clark, Starr Cullars, Joey DeFrancesco, Cafe, Kenwood Dennard, Essra Mohawk, Herbie Nix, Steve Oliver, Marlon Simon, Adrian Valosin, Elio Villafranca, and Bobby Zankel. Matt has played in support for artists such as Dave Mason, Paco Pena and Richie Havens.

Katherine has performed at the Lake Placid Academy Festival, Aria International Arts Festival, the Domaine Forget Festival, and at Carnegie Hall with the National Wind Ensemble. She has been a featured soloist during live broadcasts on WCLV radio in Cleveland OH. Katherine is currently in her fourth season with the Bryn Athyn Orchestra and has played with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra, the Abington Symphony and the Philadelphia Orchestra Society. She has also worked with world-renown artists such as Leon Buyse, Gary Schocker, Walfrid Kujala and Keith Underwood.