Guitar Prodigy Andreas Varady to Perform at Stamford's Palace Theatre

He's been described as "the next George Benson" and he's coming to Stamford to show off the talents that have drawn world-wide recognition.

Sixteen-year old guitar prodigy Andreas Varady also has received accolades from Quincy Jones who says Varady is “one of the most talented people on this planet, who takes the music back to where it belongs.” 

Varady is scheduled to perform as part of Showcase 61 UpStage @ The Palace at 8 p.m. June 25. The Jazz Guild of Fairfield County will open.

The teenage sensation has already appeared on the cover of Guitar Player, and Guitar Worldsays, “Varady blends the accomplished technique of Wes Montgomery, soulful voicing of George Benson and Gypsy swing of Django Reinhardt.” And USA Today wrote, “Keep an eye, and ear, on guitar prodigy Andreas Varady, who at 16 is already building a buzz here and abroad.”

“When Quincy Jones says an artist is ‘one of the most talented people on the planet,’ you listen,” said series curator and Palace board member Meredith DiMenna. “Andreas Varady has a talent well beyond his years. He is destined for great things, and we’re so excited to present him at Showcase 61. Part of the mission of this series is to inspire the young artists in our community, and what better way to do that than present a young man their age who will be releasing his first album in the U.S. in August?”

Varady began his ascent to mastering jazz at the age of four, tutored by his father Bandi in a small town in Slovakia. He charmed passersby with his talent and lovable performing persona in Limerick & Cork Ireland when his family moved there in 2007. In 2012, he played at the world famous Montreux Jazz Festival where he caught the eye of Jones who signed on Andreas a few months later and produced his album Andreas Varady (his U.S. debut) on Verve Records due out in August. Andreas will be touring with his guitar hero George Benson this summer. 

Admission is $15 for this event and seating is limited. Tickets are available online at PalaceStamford.org or by calling the box office at 203-325-4466.