Beautifully mesmerizing, Gina Machovina’s music is a soulful mix of guitar masterpieces, with passionate vocal tunes. She is a singer/songwriter and classically trained guitarist who has been performing music for over 30 years. Her early days in Southern California were spent studying the guitar and lute with John Schneiderman, world renowned virtuoso of plucked instruments. Gina earned a BA degree in guitar and lute performance from the University of CA, Irvine. During this time she was also an avid concert goer, enthralled with groups such as Rush, Dio, Metallica, Jethro Tull, Yes, Iron Maiden and countless others. At age 15, Gina formed, composed and began touring with her original Rock band Rising. This was her deepest passion for some 15 years. Then came the children….
Now, many years later Gina resides in Sedona, AZ, writing and performing music daily as a soloist, and with her newly formed trio ~ Saffire. She accompanies her guitar playing with vocals and you can hear her at a myriad of venues every week throughout Northern Arizona, from farmer’s markets and art fairs to restaurants and night clubs. She also performs weddings and other such special events.
Inevitably, her repertoire has become quite diverse and suitable for different audiences and patrons. Guitar virtuoso pieces by JS Bach, Isaac Albeniz, Fernando Sor and Heitor Villa-Lobos, are quite commonly intertwined with jazz standards, folk favorites, and rock-n-roll classics. But still most rewarding for Gina is the writing, recording and performance of her intricate and rhythmic finger-style originals.
Saffire is the latest incarnation of Gina’s musical endeavor, and here she prefers to play on her favorite Charvel/Jackson electric guitar. With percussionist Terry Brennan and bassist Al Hinojoza, the tunes are really rockin’ ~ with a quite progressive and innovative groove. Currently the trio is in the recording studio working on 2 Cds of originals and covered music.
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