8. Internationales Akustik-Gitarrenfestival
"The Three" present themselves as a crossover instrumental ensemble, showcasing sensitive ballads, groovy rhythms, and original compositions. Musical contrasts and sophisticated arrangements combined with high musicality ensure an exhilarating experience. "The Three" are: Alfino Ronzano (Jazz guitar), Waldemar Benke (Acoustic guitar), and Thomas Zimmermann (Set up percussion).
Waldemar Benke (Acoustic guitar) is a co-initiator of the International Acoustic Guitar Festival in Bad Rappenau. He studied music in Tajikistan, completed his music studies with a diploma, and played in the orchestra of the State Theater in Dushanbe. Since 1989, he has been teaching guitar and oboe at the music school "Unterer Neckar." There, he leads the guitar orchestra and guitar ensemble. He is the author of various sheet music volumes for guitar music published by Harald Burger-Verlag.
Alfino Ronzano (Jazz guitar) studied jazz and popular music in Frankfurt. He works as an instrumental educator at the music school Unterer Neckar in the areas of concert guitar, electric guitar, and electric bass. He also coaches bands and offers crash courses for adults and children. As a composer and arranger, he is a member of various jazz and pop groups and part of the Latin-Jazz formation "Beija Flor," with which he produced the CD "Nice Things to Do."
Thomas Zimmermann (Cajon & Percussion) studied jazz and popular music in Munich, Dinkelsbühl, and Würzburg. He is the director of the pro-Drum Heidelberg and Bad Rappenau percussion school. The author, drum teacher, and drummer has performed in various musicals at the Heilbronn Theater, as well as with well-known artists like Marla Glen, Jochen Brauer, Jazzoo, Tony Taylor, Beija Flor, Fritz Münzer, and the state jazz orchestras of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. As a session drummer, he can be heard on a number of CDs and has been awarded various national and international prizes for his musical work.
The grand finale will be performed by the winner of the 1st prize at the International Music Competition Royal Maas in the Netherlands in spring 2024, Andreas Merkel. His passion lies in Spanish-Latin American guitar music. He will present hits like Asturias, Despacito, or Chick Corea's Spain, interspersed with his own compositions, played on a 7-string classical guitar. Flamenco, Bossa Nova, Samba & Salsacoustica will be heard in partly unprecedented form. The special twist is that he accompanies himself with a series of foot percussions on stage. Let your soul dangle and enjoy the Latin American flair.
Andreas Merkel was born in 1986 in Frankfurt/Main. He began his guitar education at the age of 6. During his youth, he won 1st and 2nd prizes at the national level in the "Jugend Musiziert" competition. Starting in 2006, he studied at the University of Music. In 2010, he graduated as a pedagogical music teacher. During his studies, he won 1st prize at the International Guitar Ensemble Festival in Rheine in 2008. Since 2010, he has been supporting several music schools in the northern Black Forest with his expertise. Additionally, from 2008 to 2020, he was involved as a film composer in several German cinema productions. Since 2022, he has been increasingly active as a guitarist at European guitar festivals and won 1st prize at the International Music Competition Royal Maas in the Netherlands in spring 2024. His compositions for concert music are published by Edition Bergmann in Denmark.
Entrance: 5:30 PM