PORT TOWNSEND — From playing originals such as “Eyes on the Horizon” to his own arrangements of Luis Bonfa’s “Black Orpheus” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” guitarist Joe Euro likes to travel the stylistic spectrum. This Thursday’s Candlelight Concert, he promises, will bear that varied signature.
The 7 p.m. performance will be in person, livestreamed and on the radio, with proceeds shared between the venue and Euro’s chosen charity, Bayside Housing & Services. While admission is free on all platforms, donations are welcome.
To view the concert online, go to https://trinityumcpt.org, where a link for the Candlelight Concerts Online can be found along with a portal for the suggested $10 contribution. For information about Bayside’s nonprofit projects around East Jefferson County, see Baysidehousing.org.
Euro’s set, which he estimated will run a bit over an hour, will also be simulcast on KPTZ-FM 91.9 and KPTZ.org.
And for those hungry for in-the-flesh live music, the doors of Trinity United Methodist Church, 609 Taylor St., will open at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, giving patrons half an hour to come in and choose their seats.
Euro — also known for his business, the Wine Seller in downtown Port Townsend — has made a number of studio recordings, played many gigs at wineries, parties and festivals, and followed his thirst for classical, pop and jazz guitar music.
He doesn’t care to be tied to a set list, instead picking from a repertoire of originals and covers.
The latter include Monk’s “Round Midnight,” Sting’s “Fields of Gold,” and Jobim’s “Meditation,” along with the music of Scarlatti, Satie and Fernando Sor, arranged into his own “Flamenco Fantasy.”
His own version of “Amazing Grace” is a possibility on Thursday, Euro said, depending on time and mood.
Euro said there’s no doubt he’ll perform what he calls his “Big Spacey Sound” ambient pieces. It could be “Alone Among Angels” from his “Souvenir” CD, or a medley of “Then They Were Gone” and “Midnight Watch”from his own recordings.
Euro does a little bit of live overdubbing, he added, with a looping device.
His audiences will hear the music pour out of at least three guitars. Most of his instruments are classical or Spanish nylon-stringed guitars, while he also has “Big Red,” a jumbo-bodied steel-string with cutaway.
The performer uses tricks, he added, such as “reach overs,” “slap-ons,” “hammer-ons,” “pull-offs” and other techniques that allow him to play two parts of a piece at once.
He credits the late Michael Hedges for pioneering these moves, and lists Andy McKee, Mike Dawes, Billy McLaughlin and Luca Sticangnoli among those who have carried them forward.
This is Euro’s 12th Candlelight Concert in as many years, he noted, and he’s pleased to share the proceeds with the church and with Bayside.
The guitarist added he looks forward to sharing his music in person, something he’s been able to do a few times in recent months.
“I often play my heartstrings out, though, even if it’s only me listening,” he said.
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Jefferson County Senior Reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@ peninsuladailynews.com.
