Guitarist Paul Asbell will perform a solo concert on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Middlebury College’s Robison Hall. “Steel String Americana” will delight music lovers across genres with his fresh takes on blues and jazz standards, old-timey country tunes and original pieces from the “American roots” tradition.
In his 50-year career, Asbell has recorded three solo CDs: “Steel String Americana,” “Roots and Branches” and “From Adamant to Atchafalaya.  He has played and recorded with Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Paul Butterfield, Magic Sam, Earl Hooker, David Bromberg, Paul Siebel, Mary McCaslin, Sonny Stitt, Jon Hendricks, Bobby McFerrin and others.
His jazz-fusion group Kilimanjaro has released several award-winning recordings, and performed at jazz festivals worldwide, including Montreux, Montreal, Atlanta and Roskilde, in Copenhagen. Their latest, “Homecoming,” was picked by Jazziz magazine for their “Best of 2009” CD.
Asbell has taught guitar for over 45 years, including positions at Dartmouth, Skidmore, and other colleges. He presently teaches at Middlebury College and the University of Vermont.
The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Mahaney Center for the Arts, and is free and open to the public.