From the 1940’s folk revival with Pete Seeger, to Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960’s Greenwich Village Cafes, to the hundreds of open mic nights in the East Village where Lady Gaga got her start, New Yorkers love the sounds of a guitar and a song about this city. At the 6th annual Guitar Mash at the City Winery – Music lovers got all of that and more!

Guitar Mash isn’t just another music show – It’s a unique event that allows amateurs and pros to come together to play in a public setting.

With help from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, this years Guitar Mash included a “My NYC Song” competition for teenagers. The winner of the “My NYC Song” was Chloe Hennessee, a 15 year old from the Upper West Side for her song “Awake” which has a Bossa Nova Groove.

This year’s Mash also included an opportunity for New Yorkers who brought their guitars to get a series of lessons from the grand masters. Guitar Mashers had access to meet and play with Binky Griptite from Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Scott Sharrard from the Gregg Allman Band and Paul Simon’s Bassist Bakithi Kumalo.

Guitar Mash continues New York City’s tradition of offering emerging singer songwriters a platform to showcase their artistry. With their guitars in hand and a chord chart to guide them on the screens – participants joined in on Olivia Chaney’s rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”. A teenage ensemble also took the stage to render “Feel It Still”.

Money raised from Guitar Mash goes to great causes, like free programming for under served teens, as well as the Jazz Foundation of America’s Musician Emergency Fund.

Guitar Mash helps people of all ages to rediscover their potential to be creative. So what are you waiting for – pick up your guitar!