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Vicki Genfan of Fairview, New Jersey, captivated both a sold-out audience and judges with a dazzling acoustic guitar performance at San Francisco’s historic Great American Music Hall to beat out 9 other guitarists and win Guitar Player Magazine’s “Guitar Superstar” competition last Saturday.
Celebrity judges included Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Elliott Easton (The Cars), Brendan Smalls (Adult Swim's Metalocalypse) and George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob). Utilizing an American Idol-style format, Judges provided comments after each contestant's performance.
Genfan, the sixth contestant of the night, delivered a powerful performance using a variety of guitar playing techniques ranging from finger picking,use of chords,alternating between octaves and harmonics and a two-handed use of the fret board which included deftly slapping the guitar as if it was a percussion instrument - seemingly all at the same time. Satriani simply described her performance as "fantastic" and Easton wondered aloud if she was "too good." Vai deadpanned that she would make a good vice president.
Guitar Player Magazine’s Editor in Chief Michael Molenda adds, "Vicki mesmerized the audience and the judges — not just with her stunning technique, but also with her musicality and charisma. Even though she wasn't playing an electric guitar plugged into a raging amplifier, she still managed to capture the unmistakable vibe of a true guitar star." In addition to her trophy and an article in Guitar Player Magazine, winner Genfan will receive a prize package valued over $12,000.
In its 4th year, Guitar Player’s “Guitar Superstar” competition has become among the most renowned event of its kind anywhere. Molenda continues, “This event is about celebrating the awesome power of the guitar, and all ten finalists stood onstage and delivered absolutely sizzling performances”.
Drawing from folk, jazz, pop, soul and world music Vicki has always been an artist who defies categorization. With roots lying in the singer-songwriter genre, soul-stirring vocals and mesmerizing guitar playing, “Genfan is carving a niche in the acoustic music world which few can fill” (Minor 7.com).
Past performances include The International Montreal Jazz Festival, Germany’s Open Strings Guitar Festival, Italy’s Soave Guitar Festival, as well as venues and Performing Arts Centers across the US. With several ground-breaking recordings behind her, a new CD to be released before Christmas, high demand at clinics and music camps and ongoing European tours, Vicki continues to reach beyond musical borders and into new territory. Genfan is endorsed by Luna Guitars, D'Addario Strings, Intellitouch Tuners, G7 Capos, Fishman, and Chris Grener's 'V-System'. See clips from her performance on youtube.
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