Christie Lenée named one of the world’s ‘Best Acoustic Guitarists’

Tampa musician Christie Lenée has been named one of “The Best Acoustic Guitarists in the World Right Now” by the prestigious magazine Guitar World.

Lenée was voted Acoustic Guitarist of the Year for 2019 by England’s Music Radar, and in 2017 took 1st Place at the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship.

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“Christie Lenée impresses with spirited fingerstyle performances and a bit of pedalboard dance as she incorporates live looping with a foot-mounted tambourine and Kopf Percussion ToeKicker for rhythm,” Guitar World said. “She’s not really a new kid on the block though, with five albums to her name to date.”

Her list-mates include such international notables as Tommy Emmanuel, Kaki King, Molly Tuttle, Clive Carroll and Yasmin Williams. “It is a real thrill to be on this list with many friends and colleagues who I deeply admire,” she said. “The guitar world is vast, but at some point it feels like we all know each other, love each other and encourage the success and crossbreeding of shows along the way.” 

Lenée reports that she’s just completed a new album, Coming Alive. “This record includes the best songs I’ve written, many which were written during Covid, and an iconic lineup of musicians and collaborators,” she explained.

 “When the album releases in 2022, I plan to do a tour with a band.”

According to a profile in Guitar Player, “Watching Christie Lenée perform her solo acoustic act is like seeing a firecracker execute a high-wire circus routine while doing flips and juggling flaming bowling pins.”

She recently moved to Ashville, North Carolina, but will returns to the bay area Oct. 25 for a concert at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts’ Jaeb Theatre.

“This is my hometown,” she said, “so I’m excited to return and see many beautiful and familiar faces.”