Marilynn

Marilynn Mair has shown the world what the mandolin can achieve in the hands of a skillful artist. Internationally praised for her concerts and recordings, she has established classical mandolin in chamber music circles worldwide, earning the title, “First Lady of the Mandolin”. Marilynn has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the White House, and Lincoln Center, and internationally in Europe, Japan, and Brazil. She has released two dozen highly acclaimed solo and ensemble CDs, and appeared on numerous compilations. Marilynn published her 224-page method book, The Complete Mandolinist, in 2008, with a Volume 2 in 2021, and a Volume 3 planned for 2022. She has also written a bilingual choro method book for bandolim, Brazilian Choro – A Method for Mandolin with Rio-based bandolimist and professor Paulo Sá, in 2010, and The 100 – Techniques and Exercises for Mandolinists in 2017.  Marilynn is a Professor Emeritus of Music at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, where she taught courses in music and cultural history, specializing in the Americas. She spends several months each year in Rio de Janeiro, where she researches, performs, and writes Choro music.

Marilynn Mair mostrou ao mundo os recursos que o bandolim oferece nas mãos de uma artista habilidosa. Elogiada internacionalmente por seus concertos e gravações, ela estabeleceu o bandolim clássico nos círculos de música de câmara em todo o mundo, ganhando o título de “Primeira Dama do Bandolim”. Marilynn tem se apresentado em locais de prestígio como o Carnegie Hall, Casa Branca e Lincoln Center, com apresentações na Europa, Japão e Brasil. Ela lançou mais que um dúzia de CDs solo, tendo participado em inúmeras compilações. Marilynn publicou seu livro, The Complete Mandolinist, em 2008, e em parceria com bandolinista Paulo Sá, Brazilian Choro – A Method for Mandolin, um método bilíngüe dedicado ao estudo do Choro em 2010. Seu terceiro livro, The 100 – Techniques and Exercises for Mandolinists está programado para publicação em junho de 2017. Marilynn é Professora de Música na Universidade Roger Williams, em Bristol, Rhode Island, ministrando cursos de história da música e da cultura, especializando-se nas Américas. Há anos Marilynn passa alguns meses do ano no Rio de Janeiro, onde vem tocando e pesquisando sobre o Choro.

  • “Marilynn Mair é uma bandolinista americana de formação erudita”

    — Paulo Eduardo Neves, Agenda do Samba Choro (Brasil)

    “Marilynn Mair performs Brazilian mandolin music… she plays the mandolin as an instrument for all occasions.”
    – Vaughn Watson, The Providence Journal (USA)

    “The final repeat of the melody transmitted a strong feeling of peace and tenderness that escaped no one in the audience. It is this sensitivity and subtleness that characterized the overall performance.”

    – Brian Hodel, Guitar Review (USA)

    “Marilynn Mair acquits herself very well indeed, a most accomplished player, able to deal with the many intricacies the repertoire demands of her.”

    – Chris Kilvington, Classical Guitar (England)

    Bring a talented ensemble of gifted musicians together playing some of the great concertos and chamber music pieces of the 1700s, present the extraordinary classical mandolinist Marilynn Mair front and center, and you have a rare combination of the right musicians performing the right music at the right time.

    – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    “Marilynn Mair has always had the keen ability to balance classical mandolin traditions and repertoire, while constantly breaking new musical ground…a superb and versatile mandolinist and composer.”

    – – Butch Baldassari, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    “Mair displays an exceptionally gifted approach to this music, using her formidable mandolin technique with grace and sensitivity… It’s the next best thing to a trip to Rio.”

    – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    “Smudging the lines between folk and classical is an intrepid endeavor… Mair’s a superb mandolin player who has brought the instrument to unexpected places…”

    – Jim Macnie, The Providence Phoenix (USA)

    “Mair is unstoppable… capable of evoking any landscape, past or present, you’d care to conjure.”

    – Mike Caito, Providence Phoenix (USA)

    “Marilynn Mair lives up to her reputation as an excellent mandolinist, with clear tone, a beautiful tremolo, and creative expressiveness.”

    – Zupfmusik Magazin (Germany)

    Marilynn Mair on mandolin…touches the deepest and most engaging reaches of the ancient and passionate ‘Latin soul’.

    – Carlos Agudelo, Billboard Magazine

    “She’s a fabulous player with a wonderfully clear and lyrical sound.”

    – The Ottawa Citizen (Canada)

    “Mair travels by mandolin to Brazil and brilliance… her commitment to the music shines through.”

    – Rick Massimo, The Providence Journal

    “A sparkling concert… absolutely brilliant!”

    – Guitar Magazine (England)

    “A brilliant concert from beginning to end…The performance was extraordinary.”
    – La Rioja (Spain)

    “A lovely concert! We estimate your spell-bound and enthusiastic audience at close to 1800 people…”

    – Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors (USA)

    “Stepping back to the 18th-century masterworks gave her the opportunity to highlight her technique with a fresh light… her playing is thoughtful, vibrant and a delight to listen to.”

    — Terence Pender, Mandolin Quarterly (USA)