[Grammar] As a popular mandolin performer playing on the largest stages

[kadioguy]

As a popular mandolin performer playing on the largest stages (Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall), Avi Avital uses perfect technical mastery of his instrument to give an unusual interpretation, both sensitive and powerful. As the winner of several prestigious international competitions, he performed alongside renowned orchestras and performed works of varied genres.

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What does the "playing" mean? Does that mean "As a popular mandolin performer that played on the largest stages ..." (i.e., he once played on the largest stages)?

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[tedmc]

He has had experience playing on the largest stages.

 

[jutfrank]

If you really must try to expand the sentence with a relative clause, do it like this:

As a popular mandolin performer who plays on the largest stages ...

The idea is that he has a present habit of playing on large stages. The whole of the first sentence is about the present, not the past.

 

[5jj]

As a popular mandolin performer who plays on the largest stages ...

I'd also go with As a popular mandolin performer who has played on the largest stages ...

 

[SoothingDave]

But it's not just about what he has done in the past. It is about his ongoing habit of playing on the largest stages.