William Eaton (guitarist)

William Eaton is a New Age guitarist and luthier, known for building unique instruments, particularly harp guitars.[1] Eaton is currently the director of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery.[2] In 2015, Eaton was conferred the Governor of Arizona Arts Award.[1] Eaton lives in Sedona, Arizona.[1]

In 1971 Eaton lived in Tempe, Arizona, where he was trying to sell guitars he had built. He met John Roberts, a luthier from Phoenix, who would later found the Roberto-Venn school. His interaction with Roberts sparked his interest in building guitars, and a short while later he built a guitar in Roberts' shop.[3] Eaton went on to complete an MBA at Stanford University in 1975. He returned to Tempe after this, and accepted a position as instructor at the newly established Roberto-Venn school.[3] He designed his first harp guitar in 1976, which he called a 26-string guitar. Based on a standard guitar design, it had extra strings stretched over the body.[3] Many of his instruments have been featured in a number of museums, including the Hollywood Bowl Museum.[2] The instruments he designs, builds and plays include unique instruments like the "koto harp guitar," and the double-necked "o'ele 'n strings".[4] He is based in Phoenix, Arizona.[4] The "o'ele 'n strings" have two sets of strings over a carved and engraved body, inspired by an armoire.[3]

Eaton has released 16 recordings on the Canyon Records label, including several with collaborators. Four of these are with members of the "William Eaton ensemble," which he leads.[2] He has been nominated for four Grammy awards.[2] Eaton has collaborated for more than 25 years with Native American flutist Carlos Nakai.[5] The music they write is often inspired by the culture and landscape of the southwestern United States, and has been described as "haunting, highly resonant, and [original]."[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Governor's Arts Awards honor guitarmaker William Eaton". Azcentral.com. 2015-03-26. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "William Eaton". Roberto-Venn. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Harp Guitar Luthier William Eaton, Frets, Jan, 1983". Harpguitars.net. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  4. 1 2 3 Biography by Linda Kohanov. "William Eaton | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  5. ↑ "American Indian Artist R. Carlos Nakai Celebrates Platinum Record with Concert at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix". World Music Central.org. 2014-12-15. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
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