Promo
For festival organizers, promoters, event planners, etc., here is
promotional and biographical information in short and long versions. For
more information and pictures see the Profile and Home pages. Another
version of the profile appears in a feature article at the Mel Bay web
magazine at Dulcimer Sessions.
SAM RIZZETTA - Biographical Information (short bio)
Sam Rizzetta is a musician and instrument maker whose many design
innovations have helped to define the contemporary hammered dulcimer. The
tone of Sam’s dulcimers and his heartfelt and ornamented playing style have
been called “resonantly sensual magic,” and “awe inspiring.” His
performance credits include The Kennedy Center and The National Cathedral,
as well as TV and radio appearances such as A Prairie Home Companion and
Mountain Stage. Sam began teaching at the Augusta Heritage Center in 1974.
He started their dulcimer program, and taught there for over 25 years. In
1975 Sam formed the renowned dulcimer quartet, TRAPEZOID. His many
recordings include 12 CDs featuring hammer dulcimer, and there are three book collections of his original compositions.
Rizzetta dulcimers have been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution and
the National Folk Festival, and featured in Fine Woodworking Magazine.
Sam’s many design innovations have become essential to the modern dulcimer and are enjoyed by almost all of today’s players, performers, and builders. Sam also builds custom instruments, designs dulcimers for Dusty Strings Company, and writes the Technical Column for the Dulcimer Players News. Many top performers play Rizzetta instruments. Sam has recently been nominated for a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship for lifetime achievement in the arts.
SAM RIZZETTA - CRAFTSMAN & MUSICIAN (long bio)
Over the years Sam Rizzetta’s performances, recordings, and craftsmanship
have introduced many people to both hammer dulcimer and fretted or
“Appalachian” dulcimer, and his joyful and versatile music leave good
feelings wherever he plays. Sam’s playing has been heard at numerous
festivals as well as at the National Cathedral, the Kennedy Center, on
National Public Radio’s A Prarie Home Companion and Mountain Stage, and on public television. And his many design innovations have helped to define
the contemporary hammer dulcimer.
Onstage, the tone of Sam’s dulcimers combine with his heartfelt and
ornamented playing style for music that has been called “resonantly sensual
magic.” Reviewers say his music defies attempts at categorization. A
Rizzetta concert may blend classical, folk, gospel, new age, oldtime tunes,
ragtime, original music, and other surprises. Of his performance, the
National Dulcimer Symposium Journal says, “Sam Rizzetta was just plain awe
inspiring! We were privileged to be watching a master player in peak
form.” Frets Magazine wrote, “He builds instruments of awesome power and
puts them to good use.” “Probably the best dulcimer I’ve heard,” says West
Virginia’s Tamarack Center. The New York Times concurs; “songs and reels
played with lively charm. …delightful.”
In 1975 Sam created the influential group Trapezoid as a hammer dulcimer
quartet, and they made some highly acclaimed, landmark recordings. Since
1978 Sam has performed solo, made 11 solo recordings, and written three books of original music for dulcimer. Trapezoid continues under the direction of founding member Paul Reisler.
Sam has designed and handcrafted musical instruments since childhood, and
his dulcimers and guitars have long been prized by musicians. Rizzetta
dulcimers have been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution and the
National Folk Festival and featured in Fine Woodworking Magazine. Since
1974 Sam has taught at the Augusta Heritage Center as well as at many other
music heritage workshops. Sam designs dulcimers for the Dusty Strings
Company, writes the Technical Column for the Dulcimer Players News, and,
along with friend and collaborator Nicholas Blanton, continues to build
custom and experimental instruments. Many of Sam’s design innovations have
become essential to the modern dulcimer and are enjoyed by almost all of
today’s players, performers, and builders.
Sam has recently been nominated for a National Endowment for the Arts
National Heritage Fellowship for lifetime achievement in the arts.
Influences:
Sam’s father, Pasquale, played violin and accordian, and his uncle Earl Nott
was a great banjo player. So, Sam fell in love with traditional music and
stringed instruments at an early age. He experimented with building banjos
and guitars as soon as he could use tools. Chet Parker of Grand Rapids, MI
was an early hammer dulcimer inspiration. In 1968 Sam met West Virginia
hammer dulcimer player Russell Fluharty and Kentucky fretted dulcimer player
Jean Ritchie. Later Sam moved to Randolph County, WV and was influenced by neighbors Blackie Cool and Woody Simmons, as well as by visiting traditional musicians and instrument customers from all parts of the world.