Richard Smith and Rick Ruskin
Super Picker Guitarists: From barn-burners to ballads to bluegrass and Bach to Beatles

Mon, May 23, 2016 at 7:30pm

This event has passed.

Doors open at 6:30pm

Tickets $10

Richard Smith: Audiences delight, when world-renowned fingerstyle guitarist Richard Smith cuts loose. Having witnessed one of his live performances, fellow musicians and music lovers alike sing hymns of praise about world-renowned fingerstyle British guitarist Richard Smith. With fretboard fireworks and lyrical endeavors he will melt your heart­strings, make your toes tapping and your jaws hanging open. Richard's ever-growing repertoire comprises a wide variety of music from classical Bach to Beatles pop. It includes Scott Joplin Rags just like Sousa marches, Chopin, Mozart and fiddle tunes. It ranges from jazz standards to Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed and to Django Rein­hardt gypsy swing, not to mention his intriguing originals. He delivers both, light­ning fast barn-burners and beautiful ballads.

Rick Ruskin: “..so brilliant at times that he seems to transcend normal approaches to the guitar...Ruskin may be the smoothest technical player around. Flashy, fast, inventive and musical and that isn't easy." (GUITAR PLAYER). 

In 1964, while still in Jr. High School, he was chosen to open the bill for the Reverend Gary Davis at Detroit's legendary Retort Coffee House. This engagement resulted in a fast and permanent friendship with the master blues, ragtime, and gospel guitarist. Rev. Davis was so taken by the young Ruskin's skill and eagerness, that he invited Rick to spend that summer with him at his Long Island home. By the end of the summer, Davis stopped teaching Rick new material and told him, "It's time you started paying attention to your own music." Ruskin has been doing that ever since. He's also known for his arrangements of such pop classics as "Lady Madonna," "Riki Don't Lose That Number," and "Here Comes The Sun". 

Please note: Tickets do not guarantee seating during shows at the Royal Room. For sold out shows standing room may be the only available space. Please come early to ensure you get a table. Reservations can be made for those who are coming for dinner as well as the show. The Royal Room is All Ages until 10pm.


Royal Room

5000 Rainier Ave S
Seattle, WA 98118