THE 3RD NEW JERSEY GUITAR SUMMIT

THE 3RD NEW JERSEY GUITAR SUMMIT - Saturday, October 17, 2025

The 3rd New Jersey Guitar Summit is back. This unique event is presented by the Folk Project, together with international guitar master Beppe Gambetta.

It is a fabulous opportunity for audiences to hear three guitar virtuosos in concert in the evening -- and for guitarists at all levels to share the day with like-minded friends passionate for the acoustic guitar.  Participants will have the opportunity to improve their skills under the personal guidance of three world-renowned guitarists.

The full Guitar Summit, includes a full day of workshops, the evening concert, jamming, showcases, lunch, dinner, refreshments, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Workshops begin at 9:30 am and continues through the evening concert. The Cost: $148.00

The evening concert begins at 8:00 pm and is open to all music lovers. The Cost: $35.00

Teachers:

Beppe Gambetta is a guitarist, vocalist, researcher and composer born in Genova, Italy who developed a style of concert presentation that brings American and European Roots to speak together with one voice. In his unique approach, Gambetta blends energetic grooves with passionate melodies, giving new life to sources from different times, periods and places. In addition, the original music he composes gives contemporary influences to traditional roots music.

Click here for Video: Dove Tio O Vento (Where the Wind Blows)

Beppe is an Italian flatpicking master!

A Saskatoon native transplanted to the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada, Roots and Blues singer and musician Suzie Vinnick is the proud owner of a gorgeous voice, impressive guitar and bass chops and an engagingly candid performance style. Over the course of a solo recording career now spanning nearly 30 years, Suzie has been a 3X Juno Nominee and has won 12 Maple Blues Awards, 2 Canadian Folk Music Awards and a 2024 ECMA with her project A’Court, Spiegel and Vinnick. She has also twice won the International Songwriting Competition – Blues Category.

Click here for Video: The Pie That My Baby Makes

Suzie is emotive, joyous and funky all in the same song.

Stephen Bennett has been making music with guitars for nearly six decades. The Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association has dubbed him “the Jedi master of fingerstyle guitar”, which serves as a continual reminder that he needs to practice more. He’s been invited to play around this country and many others over the years, has released 37 albums (some of which aren’t bad), and he also plays a bit of harp guitar. Stephen was born in Oregon, grew up in NY, spent a few years in NJ, 33 in VA, and now lives with his wife Nancy in the northwest corner of Connecticut.

Click here for Video: Elephant’s Dance

Stephen played his first solo guitar gig fifty years ago at Fairleigh Dickinson University for the country's bicentennial celebration.

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SCHEDULE: 

INTRODUCTION: 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. 

Meet your instructors, outline the day, and help determine your best workshops

FIRST SESSION: 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. Beppe - Beginners     Stephen - Intermediate     Suzie - Advanced

SECOND SESSION: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Beppe - Intermediate     Stephen - Advanced     Suzie - Beginners

LUNCH: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. 

THIRD SESSION  2:30 - 3:15 p.m. Beppe - Advanced     Stephen - Beginners     Suzie - Intermediate

DISCUSSION PANEL: 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. All three instructors will discuss the guitar and the Summit with all attendees.

JAM SESSION: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

DINNER & MORE JAMMING: 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

EVENING CONCERT: 8:00 p.m. to curtain 

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