Kanengiser, still going strong, shares some inspiration

By Ross Boissoneau

William “Bill” Kanengiser is best known as a founding member of the celebrated Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. The group has released 14 CDs since its founding, receiving two Grammy nominations and winning one. The LAGQ’s recording of the title work on Pat Metheny’s Road to the Sun hit #1 on the Apple Music Classical chart.

He has also recorded four CDs for the GSP label. A member of the guitar faculty at the USC Thornton School of Music since 1983, he has given master classes around the world and produced two instructional videos. On his own and as a member of the LAGQ, Kanengiser has explored genres ranging from classical, Caribbean and Latin to jazz, African, far east, Irish, folk and Americana.

“One of the hallmarks of our approach is (it’s) eclectic, all possible styles. That hasn’t changed,” says Kanengiser.

The group’s most recent recording is Opalescent, released in 2022. The Grammy-winning album is the last to feature co-founder Scott Tenant, who was succeeded by Douglas Lora. That leaves Kanengiser and John Dearman as the sole founding members. Anisa Angarola assembled the group in 1980 at the University of Southern California. She left a decade later, while her replacement, Andrew York, lasted until 2006, when Matthew Greif stepped in.

Which is not really a lot of personnel changes, considering the group was formed nearly a half century ago. “We’re coming up on our 45th year,” says Kanengiser wonderingly.

When he’s not performing, you can find him passing along his knowledge. “I’ve been teaching at USC for 41 years,” Kanengiser says. He also studied there, meaning he’s been at USC in total for 47 years. “Teaching is a really important part of what I do. I love it. I’m excited to work with students – I learn from them.”

He’s not the only one. Tenant is also on staff at USC. “In 2022 Scott decided to retire from touring. He’s my boss at USC. John and I thought about closing up shop, but I wasn’t ready. I’m still excited about playing.”

Instead, they went about bringing in a new voice, albeit one with a connection to the past. “We’ve had a wonderful transition to Scott’s student Douglas Lora. He’s half of Brasil Guitar Duo. It’s a new feeling. You’re never going to replace Scott Tenant, he’s a legend.” The group introduced Lora to its online audience via a Youtube video, “LAGQ introduces Douglas Lora.”

The group still keeps a busy touring schedule, performing at arts centers, churches, schools and elsewhere. That includes touring internationally as well; it’s scheduled to perform in Spain and Germany this summer.

Kanengiser says each of the four members has a characteristic sound. “Though we all play nylon string classical guitars, each of us has a signature attack. And our guitars are different makes, with slightly different qualities, and we don’t all use the same strings, which brings other features to our sounds.”

Kanengiser uses Savarez strings – “I’m a Savarez guy,” he declares – favoring a mix of Cantiga Premium, Alliances and Cristal, New Cristal, all high tension, available as the 510EJP set. His guitars are built by German luthier Gernot Wagner, a cedar top for solo work and spruce for his playing with the quartet.

Strings By Mail asked Kanengiser to tell us about three recordings that were inspirational for him in his career. His choices ran the gamut from classical guitar to far outside the realm, though all showcase tasteful, dazzling guitaristics.

Andres Segovia, Castles of Spain

“The first classical guitar I ever heard. My parents bought it. I can still remember the cover shot. He’s standing on a balcony and his belt buckle is just below his sternum, he’s wearing coke bottle glasses – an imposing figure. But listening to some of the pieces really resonated with me. It got me a little hooked.

Gentle Giant, Freehand

“It really does represent the next (step), in high school, my infatuation with progressive rock or pretentious rock (laughs). Yes, King Crimson, ELP, Genesis, they did rock but were more classically based. I was a huge Gentle Giant fan. They were all students at the Royal Conservatory, had strings, sax, recorders, percussion. They were the most musically adept. It blew my mind. The compositions are fugues or canons. Freehand was an entry drug. It was the easiest one to get into. The style was not as complex as others. ‘On Reflection’ starts a capella, then instrumental, then totally rocking out.

Michael Hedges, Aerial Boundaries

“It rocked my world. I just loved his music so. On our most recent disc Opalescent, Matt (LAGQ member Matthew Greif) arranged the title track. It caused a seismic change in the guitar world.”

Ross Boissoneau is a regular contributor to Something Else! Reviews, Northern Express and Local Spins. He’s written for the All Music Guide, Jazziz and Progression Magazines, and is a member of the Downbeat Critics Poll.