Yes Guitarist To Show You ‘Howe’

How would you like to spend five days in the Catskills rubbing shoulders with Yes axeman extraordinaire Steve Howe? The legendary progressive rock guitarist will host the first-ever Cross Styles Music Retreat in August.

Photo: Andy Argyrakis / ConcertLivewire.com

House Of Blues, Chicago, Ill.

Scheduled for Aug. 19-23 at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, N.Y., you get Howe along with guest guitar instructors showing you how it’s done via workshops exploring all aspects of Howe’s creative process, including playing, writing, recording and performing. One of the founders of Asia, Howe will also perform selected pieces as well as discuss his influences and experiences.

Among those joining Howe will be jazzman Ray Matuza, Martin Guitar’s Dick Boak and Italian classical guitarist Flavio Sala, bringing in-depth advice and analysis to the week in the woods.

In announcing this musical adventure, Howe talked about what is in store for him and the fans.

“This year I’m getting back to doing solo dates, and the Cross Styles Music Retreat is an extension of that,” Howe said. I’ll be enjoying the different things the event will demand of me, as opposed to just doing shows. It’s a wider breadth of ‘guitarness,’ and it indulges me in my singular fascination – the guitar. Hopefully, my team and the audience can do a little mingling and learn more about each other.

“As I’m self-taught and don’t read music, I come at doing workshops from a different perspective than many who teach. I’ll be bringing my experience to the fore through performances, interactions with campers and daily master classes.”

Located in the “Forever Wild” Catskill Forest Preserve and approximately 30 minutes west of Woodstock, N.Y., the resort is known for hosting several events bringing fans and artists together, including 2012’s “Three Of A Perfect Pair” featuring Adrian Belew, Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto, and Los Straitjackets’ “Rock & Roll Summer Camp” in 2009.