Guitarists Paul Asbell and Tony McManus return to Caffe Lena, July 9, 2023

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Guitarist Paul Asbell returns to Caffe Lena on July 9th in the elite company of Celtic guitarist Tony McManus. 

There may be no more honored guitarist working in our part of the world, nor as completely at home on the Caffe stage.

“Caffe Lena has occupied a soft spot in my heart since around 1976, when I started performing there with singer-songwriters Paul Siebel, Tom Mitchell, Rosalie Sorrells, and Mary McCaslin,” says Asbell, crediting future band-mate bassist Tony Markellis with bringing him into this singer-songwriter fold.

Before moving to Vermont in 1971, Asbell played Chicago clubs with blues greats Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Earl Hooker and many others. 

In Vermont, Asbell co-founded pioneering jazz-rock band Kilimanjaro, who released two albums and played major jazz festivals including ones at SPAC. Adding singer-saxophonist Big Joe Burrell, they became the Unknown Blues Band, which inspired young University of Vermont guitarist Trey Anastasio, an Asbell student. Markellis, who died in 2021, played in both those bands and with Asbell on many Philo Records sessions.

“Once I started revisiting my original acoustic roots through my solo gigs, Lena’s was a regular stop,” says Asbell. “The ‘home-y’ physical vibe of the place always seemed to be a perfect setting for the music I love to present.”

Asbell’s three albums of acoustic blues, Steel String Americana, Roots and Branches and From Adamant to Atchafalaya, exemplify this back to basics move. Calling Asbell “one of the best-kept secrets in American music today,” guitarist David Bromberg said, “Steel String Americana is a wonderful album!” – while numerous other guitarists and journalists hail Asbell’s versatility within the blues form. 

Of recent Caffe Lena renovations, Asbell says, “It feels like the vibe is still as human and as music-focused as ever. I’m looking forward to returning on July 9th, along with Celtic guitarist extraordinaire and long-time buddy Tony McManus!”

The innovative British folk guitarist Bert Jansch has praised McManus as “the best Celtic guitarist in the world” and Guitar Player magazine lists McManus among the 50 most transcendent guitarists of all time, celebrated for transposing traditional fiddle and pipes tunes to six strings.

The McManus and Asbell pairing promises a fertile, flying fretwork blend of tradition and innovation.

Show details: 7:00 PM, General Admission: $27.88, Members Admission: $24.65, Students and Children: $24.44 – for those that can’t attend, the show will also be streaming live at caffelena.tv.