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At every concert, there's always one jokester in the audience who loves to yell out "Free Bird" during a lull.
But the California Guitar Trio has a response to the inevitable request. It began to turn the joke on its head by learning to play variations of the song.
The California Guitar Trio, which performs tonight at The State Room, is made up of Paul Richards from Salt Lake City, Bert Lams from Belgium and Hideyo Moriya from Japan. For 19 years, the group has played dazzling instrumental renditions of songs, from Beethoven sonatas to Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird, " which Richards, a Bountiful High graduate, calls a "redneck piece."
"People had been screaming 'Free Bird' to us for years as a joke," Richards said. "It was more something that amused us."
"It started as a joke, because we tired of [the requests]," said Lams, who now lives in Pennsylvania. "So we said we'd just learn two bars." Two bars became four bars, and before they knew it, they had composed an entire arrangement for the anthem. They recorded that arrangement for a recent album, "Echoes," released in 2008.
The three men met in 1987 in England as students in Robert Fripp's Guitar Craft Courses. As part of the intensive coursework, Fripp organized concerts for the students. The best way to teach the art of performance, he believed, was through trial and error.
But Lams, Richards and Moriya didn't find much error when they played together. "We have an openness and interest in a wide variety of genres," Richards said. "All three of us have interest in all types of music. Robert saw something special in us and encouraged us to continue."
Added Lams: "From the beginning, we meshed right away. It was the right combination, and I can't really explain why."
Once the classes ended, Lams moved to California and asked Richards and Moriya to join him playing coffeehouses around Los Angeles. Hence the name of the group, which has stuck, though none of the musicians have lived in California for long. Instead, they've toured internationally, playing their virtuosic blending of pieces ranging from Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" to Bach's Toccata and Fugue. In their concerts, one minute they will play a pop piece; the next, a classical suite. For this trio, no music is too esoteric or off-limits.
But you don't have to be a jokester to yell out "Free Bird" at the concert tonight. Yell it with pride, and prepare to be amazed at what these guys have done with it. California Guitar Trio
When • Thursday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m.
Where • The State Room, 638 S. State St., Salt Lake City
Tickets • $25 at thestateroom.com