The second Marsh Memorial Lent recital will be held on Wednesday, March 28, at the First United Presbyterian Church, 19 W. Fourth St., at noon. The Marsh recitals are free public concerts during the lunch hour. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch and enjoy the church's complimentary coffee.
Wednesday's concert features Thomas Gestwicki, guitar instructor at SUNY Fredonia. Over the years he has played in bands of all types, starting in rock bands but also playing in local dance bands, polka bands and the areas big bands. He has accompanied many soloists and instrumentalists and has been the guitarist for many shows and pageants. Gestwicki has been song leader and liturgist for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish since 1966 and is very active in the liturgical music scene.
Presently, he is playing guitar, mandolin and banjo with Svenska Spelmen, the popular Swedish band from Jamestown. He regularly plays guitar with noted trombone player Pete Pepke and various other local musicians. He finds greatest satisfaction playing local senior living facilities with longtime friend Steve Grimm. For this recital series he will play famous jazz standards from the "Great American Songbook," including the songs of Gershwin, Cole Porter, Arlen and Irving Berlin.
