Benicia Community Services Department (Benicia Rec), in partnership with the Benicia Performing Arts Foundation (BPAF), proudly presents an extraordinary evening of music featuring two internationally acclaimed artists: Italian guitar virtuoso Peppino D’Agostino with special guest two-time Grammy Award–winning violinist Mads Tolling!
Event Details
A Rare Musical Collaboration - Peppino D’Agostino will showcase a collection of his signature solo guitar works, highlighting the expressive depth, rich harmonics, and percussive textures that have made him one of the world’s most celebrated acoustic guitarists.
Throughout the evening, special guest violinist Mads Tolling will join Peppino on select pieces—moments when the music transforms and something truly magical happens. Together, they create a captivating musical dialogue between guitar and violin, featuring original compositions alongside inspired interpretations of beloved works—from Django Reinhardt and Astor Piazzolla to The Beatles and Stevie Wonder. Experience an evening of dazzling virtuosity, lyrical beauty, and joyful improvisation.
Headliner Peppino D’Agostino - A beloved favorite in Benicia and around the world, Peppino D’Agostino is widely regarded as one of today’s leading acoustic guitarists. Known for his lyrical fingerstyle technique and innovative compositions, Peppino blends classical, jazz, and world influences into a uniquely expressive voice on the guitar. Originally from Italy, he has spent nearly four decades building an international career, performing in over thirty-nine countries and releasing nineteen acclaimed albums. Guitar Player Magazine named him one of the 50 greatest acoustic guitarists of all time, and his album Every Step of the Way received a Bronze Medal in Acoustic Guitar Magazine’s People’s Choice Awards for Best Acoustic Album of All Time.
Special Guest Mads Tolling - Two-time Grammy Award-winning violinist and composer Mads Tolling brings a dynamic, genre-crossing approach to the violin. Originally from Copenhagen and now based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mads is known for his electrifying performances that blend jazz, classical, and contemporary styles. A former member of both the Turtle Island Quartet and Stanley Clarke’s band, Mads has performed with artists such as Chick Corea, Ramsey Lewis, and Paquito D’Rivera. He is currently a featured member of Bob Weir & Wolf Bros, with whom he has toured extensively and recorded multiple albums, performing at iconic venues including Red Rocks and Radio City Music Hall.
As an added bonus for this evening, our opening entertainment will be showcasing some of the rising talent of next-generation high school jazz bands with our local Benicia High School Southside Jazz Combo & the College Park High School Jazz Band coming from Pleasant Hill.
Adult Tickets 18+: $34
Senior (65+) Tickets: $24
Kids Tickets 18 & Under: FREE