March 2007 - Maud LaForest

On the SECOND sunday of the month folks .....

Maud LaForest

http://www.maudlaforest.com/maud.php

February 2007 - Michael Berk

the very talented ....

http://www.michaelberk.com/

and

http://www.myspace.com/michaelberkacoustic

No concert in Jan 07

Nothing in January

Jeff Rodrigues

http://www.jeffrodrigues.co.uk/


Born in Toronto, to Portuguese parents, Jeff Rodrigues commenced his guitar studies at the age of 15, studying classical, jazz, and flamenco guitar with Richard Summers, Rob Bulgar and Pepe Haro respectively. After receiving his RCMT grade 8 and 9 diplomas, both with first class honours, he was admitted for full time studies to the faculty of music of the University of Toronto in 1993. There he studied with renowned Canadian guitarists Norbert Kraft and Jeffrey McFadden, and in 1997, graduated with his Bachelor of Music in Performance. He has also studied privately and in master class with Alberto Ponce, Alex Garrobe, Paul Gregory and Marco Socias.

Possessing a vast range of repertoire from the 16th to the 20th century, he has performed in Canada, Portugal, Spain and Italy, as well as given numerous recitals throughout the UK, where he has resided since 1998. A fine flamenco guitarist in his own right, he also performs in flamenco group DeCasas with acclaimed British flamenco guitarist, Steve Homes. Performing original compositions by Steve and Jeff, they are one of the most exciting and refreshing acts on the UK flamenco scene today.

In 2005, he released his debut CD, '20th Century Guitar', a disc where Jeff performs some of the guitar`s finest modern repertoire, featuring works by Henze, Berkeley, Ohana, Bennett and Rodrigo, among others. A second CD, dedicated to Iberian and Latin American music for guitar, is due for release in late 2006, and will feature music by Ponce, Asencio, Villa-Lobos and Lopes-Graca.

He lives in London, where he balances an active performing career with a busy teaching schedule at the Spanish Guitar Centre.

Christopher Evesham

Christopher was born in Halton in 1982. He was given his first guitar at the age of four. At ten, he began to study with american guitarist John Dunn of the Mons conservatoire in Belgium. later he studied with Andrew Barrett as an external student of Wells Cathedral school.

In 1998 he won a DfEE scholarship to study there full time. Christopher reached the semi-finals of the BBC Young Musicians 2000 competition. In this year he became a student of Carlos Bonell at the Royal College of Music. In 2004 he graduated and he continues to live in London. Christopher performs regularly as a soloist. He has also played in various ensembles including the group 'tonic fold' and with flautist Laura Smith.

He has played in diverse venues such as the 'Spitz' in London, various arts centres around the UK including the Tacchi-Morris arts centre in Taunton and the Ritz acoustic club and a recent recital in Stuttgart, Germany. He has also performed as a soloist with orchestra in Alba, Italy performing a new work by composer Gabriele Roberto.

Christopher has performed as a soloist with orchestras in London and elsewhere in the UK. He recently performed Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez with the Dulwich Symphony Orchestra. He performs a wide variety of music and his programmes usually include a balance of older music transcribed for guitar, such as Bach and Scarlatti, and works by 20th century and contemporary composers, such as Britten, Walton, Brouwer, Piazzolla, Barrios, Turina, and Rodrigo.

Sunday 5th November’s concert will include Johann Sebastian Bach’s Partita BWV 996, Joaquin Rodrigo’s Tres Piezas Espanolas, and some of Barrios’ works, including his famous tremolo piece Una Limosna por el amor de Dios.

Doug Turner + The OddFellas

Doug Turner

Doug has played the guitar since 1957. In 1961, he was in a guitar shop in Charing Cross road when he met Roger Dean, who showed Doug how to play in Chet Atkins’ style. Doug acquired some Chet Atkins records and learnt his music by ear.

Doug was given a job 2 years later with Selmers, makers of amplifiers and the distributor of the UK’s Gibson guitars. In 1964 Doug played with Housten Wells and the Marksmen, who were England’s first recording Country music group.

In 1965, Doug played with the Outlaws, who later became Chas and Dave. Doug went on to tour as a soloist, playing Chet Atkins style in folkclubs around Britain.

In 1997, Doug formed a jazz duo with Rod Davis, who was a member of John Lennon’s first group, the Quarrymen.

Programme.

Tiptoes through the tulips
China Town
St. Louis Blues
Arkansas Traveller
Oh by Jingo
Hello my Baby
Medley: Villia – Tchaikovsky’s piano concerto, Ain’t Misbehavin’
Medley: Poor People of Paris, Three Little Words, the Third Man theme
Medley: Estrelita, Let it be Me, Greensleeves, Air on a G string
Medley: Liza, Nagasaki, Johnson Rag
Medley: One Mint Julip, Frankie & Johnnie

The Oddfellas

The oddfellas will be playing:

Liberty. An American old-time tune. Also known as 'The Reel de Ti-Jean'

Angeline The Baker. Originally a Stephen Foster song, but Bob learnt the tune from the West Virginian banjo-picker, Dwight Diller.

Si Bheag Si Mhor. An Irish harp tune from O'Carolan about a battle between the big and little faeries.

The Horses Bransle. An old French dance tune. (Although I understand the word 'bransle' has a rather rude meaning in French today)

Blackberry Blossom. Originally an Irish tune, but now heard often in American old-time and bluegrass circles.

Da New Rigged Ship. A tune from the Shetlands, where Robert is encouraged to speed-up.

The Long Black Veil. Jerry goes to the gallows rather than revealing his (married) love.

The oddfellas are:

Bob Little, mostly banjo, has been playing banjo ever since he went to college and discovered how many others were playing guitars. Now smugly retired from IT and struggling to learn the fiddle. An enthusiast for American Old Time music.

Glyn Hatherall, mostly recorders. A retired academic, Glyn on recorders lives for legato and 3/4 time. Keener than Bob on jigs. As a Welshman, has been singing and involved in music longer than he can remember.

Jerry Alleguen, mostly guitarAcquired his first bass guitar overseas in order to join his (RN) ship's band. Veteran of a number of blues and rock and roll bands, has just bought a bouzouki and is not afraid to use it.

Robert Underwood, mostly mandolin. The one with the day job and irrepressible energy/enthusiasm - for badminton and the band. Started in his teens on violin and classical guitar, has recently progressed(?) to the bodhran.

Gerard Cousins

Born in Wales, Gerard initially studied the guitar with local teacher Jeremy Herbert achieving Grade 8 with honours. Gerard then went to Leeds University to study music, where he won a scholarship for a further year of study at Enschede Conservatory in Holland

Since graduating, Gerard has won prizes in National and International competitions and performed extensively in Europe. Earlier this year he played in Portugal with the 'Operababes'.

Gerard made his Purcell Room debut last year where a reviewer for Musical Opinion wrote of his “beautiful playing and subtle phrasing”.

Cecilia Rodrigo has written "we have enjoyed hearing and congratulate you on your performances. I appreciate your kind words about my father's music and wish you continued success with his works. We will be sure to follow your career with great interest."

His debut CD of Spanish music entitled “Una Leyenda” has been played on Classic FM and BBC Radio and has received good reviews:

Gerard is currently preparing his 2nd CD and a teaching DVD.

The evening's programme include works by Brouwer, Taverner, Tarrega and Yoshimatsu, and new works by Gerard Cousins.

Hear live extracts:~

http://www.myspace.com/gerardcousins

Tomás and María José

FLAMENCO FIESTA.

Tomás Jiménez (guitar) and María José García (castanets and dance).

An evening of flamenco guitar and duets with castanets and dance.

Admission: £10, £8 children & OAP’s. Wine and tapas included in ticket price. Book now to reserve a seat.

Flamenco is pure passion and expresses each and every human emotion. This concert of guitar solos and duets with castanets will be exceptionally varied and will cover the whole range of emotions.

Tomás and María José prefer to freely choose their programme according to the mood of the moment. Their repertoire includes sensitive, gentle and fun tunes from South America (Guajira, Colombiana, Rumbas), introspective and sorrowful: Seguiriyas, Soleares, Tientos, Farrucas & Granaínas, and pieces showcasing complex virtuosic guitar playing such as Rondeña, Zapateado, Alegrías and Bulerías.

María José may dance according to the inspiration of the moment.

REVIEWS OF TOMÁS JIMÉNEZ' CONCERTS:

These reviews are taken from Classical Guitar, Guitar International, Guitar and other specialist classical and flamenco guitar publications.

“At times unexpectedly lyrical, at times tragic and broken, with chords almost shaken from his hand.”

“In his deft hands, the guitar was able to communicate the joy and sadness, the strength and gentleness of each message”.

“Here is a flamenco guitarist of tremendous passion and virtuosity”.

“The fingers of his left hand fluttered with the delicacy of butterfly wings, spiralling descending and rising again in musical ornamentation above the insistent demands of the right”.

To hear examples of Tomás Jiménez playing visit his web site www.flamencotomas.com

Modern Guitar Trio.

Three of the UK’s most outstanding Spanish Guitarists; Roland Chadwick, Vincent Lindsey-Clark and Roland Gallery joined forces in 2001 to form the Modern Guitar Trio. 5 years later and an impressive number of live performances under their belts they have released their new self-titled CD this year to huge critical acclaim. The CD uniquely features compositions by all three members; Roland Chadwick’s beautiful and highly emotive The Wendy House, Vincent Lindsay-Clarks epic Sonata Melodica, and Roland Gallery’s wonderfully melodic 2 Fusion Pieces.

Asked about the origins of the Modern Guitar Trio Roland Chadwick said; “In 2000 I needed a couple of guitarists for the recording of my guitar trio, "Letter From LA". I’d met Roland Gallery and as he lives just 2 blocks away from me in Ealing, is the same age and has the same first name with the same spelling - well, he had to be the man! He recommended Vincent Lindsey-Clark who turned out to be a bit good. Once the CD was released it seemed a good idea to get Roland and Vincent to do the odd concert here and there. Eventually we needed more material and I arranged Three Kisses for Jenny from my CD, The Revealing and Vincent mentioned that he'd written a piece called Cymmetry and Roland G produced 2 jazz fusion pieces. By this point we were being asked to do full concerts and so with the addition of a solo each we had a full program. It was only later that we realised that we had formed an actual trio and that something special was happening regarding the program we were currently playing and the future direction that a trio of guitarist/composers might take. There are quite a few guitar ensembles that have a resident composer but to have all three of us being composers struck us as being something quite unusual.”

Anne Lister

Anne was born a Londoner, but the family moved several times before settling in Cardiff, South Wales when Anne was ten years old. She was given her first guitar when she was thirteen, and taught herself to play. She was an active member of the Cardiff and Newport folk club circuit for many years, until she went to the University of Warwick to study French. At Warwick she specialised in medieval French and Occitan literature - mostly the stories of King Arthur and the poetry of the troubadours, and stayed on to complete an MA in medieval studies.

Her current career includes storytelling, workshops on voice (for those who think they can't sing), creativity and storytelling (for those who lack confidence) and songwriting as well as concerts. She has finally left her full time teaching post and is hoping to tour more widely and more frequently in the US, as well as in the UK and Europe. The singing, storytelling and workshops have taken her to an enormous variety of venues and audiences, from small intimate folk clubs and house concerts to much bigger events at folk festivals and larger concert halls, and to France, Italy, Greece and Spain as well as the US.
Anne's work always attracts attention - songs which take myths and legends and weave them into a new relevance. Songs which pack a surprising emotional punch through the ancient tales. A simple, direct approach to performance, laced with liberal doses of humour and a close rapport with the audience. Entertaining and informative, with a careful blend of traditional and contemporary references. Celtic, Saxon, Norman and European plaited into one variegated braid.

Martin Byatt

In 1974 Martin won first prize in the guitar section of the Glasgow Music Festival - though he doesn't like to dwell on this too much as he was the only entrant! In 1976 Martin attended the London College of Music where he studied with Robert Brightmore. Upon leaving college he worked with a flautist and mandolin player in the Janimar Trio, performing major classics in a mini format.

Martin has had some of his compositions published – ‘Ten Contemporary Pieces’ - by Hampton Music Publishers. He also has four pieces contained in Chanterelle's ‘Modern Times’ graded series - one of which, Reggae Sunrise, has been included in Guildhall's Guitar Syllabus. Hear some here.....

Mykl

At an early age Mykl showed an affinity with animals, keeping a variety of pets from guinea pigs to mosquitoes. He used to frighten his mother with a large, hairy, rubber spider until she threw it away.

By the age of five he’d given up his ambition of being John Wayne. By ten he’d decided not to be an astronaut, fireman, policeman or stuntman. At sixteen he got a guitar and gave up ideas of being a graphic designer. After doing a fairly bad job of teaching himself to play, Mykl searched for teachers able to cope with his argumentative and facetious ways. At twenty Mykl gave up the idea of being a Heavy Metal guitar god. At the age of twenty-two he lost interest in becoming the first non-corrupt politician and being the first Prime Minister to do a good job of running the country, however, he’s still considering becoming a delegate for the Monster-Raving-Loony Party.

As well as performing on national television and radio he has given solo recitals at prestigious venues including the Cathedrals in Rheims, Canterbury and Ely and the French Palais du Tau. He has also played in festivals including St. Gilgen Summer Festival (Austria); Aberystwyth Music Fest (Wales); Canterbury Festival and Sounds New. Audience members have included Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Naresh Sohal, the current and previous Archbishops and Mr. and Mrs. Faldo (parents of Nick).

He occasionally gives concerts for the charity organisation Music in Hospitals. He also spends a lot of time shut in his room with only a rat for company. He considered getting a life but after observing how much hassle they cause others, he decided not to bother

Dan Evans & Lucy Green

Dan is Britain's leading exponent of the Appalachian dulcimer, as well as a highly accomplished and original guitarist, singer and composer. His repertoire encompasses the traditional folk song, and also his own material which is often inspired by nature. His playing style is highly innovative, incorporating elements of medieval music, classical, folk and jazz resulting in a unique and personal sound.

On dulcimer, Dan is able, using the enchanting and charming sound of this fascinating instrument, to capture the authentic feel of Celtic and early music. On a specially adapted guitar, Dan also creates new Celtic-rock in a rich and resonant style, incorporating electro-acoustic and electronic sounds with effects and sampling to build up layers of sound.

Lucy Green is Professor of Music Education at the London University Institute of Education, where she has researched and published books and articles on music education and sociology of music. She has sung with a number of choirs including the English Chamber Choir and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.

Together Lucy and Dan bring a fresh approach to the traditional folk song with precise, clear vocals and flowing finger-style accompaniments on dulcimer and guitar.

Capital Chorus

Capital Chorus are the performing chorus of London’s premier Barbershop Harmony Club. Their unaccompanied singing has, over the past 18 years, become a familiar sight at theatres, clubs, fetes and parties throughout London. Their wide repertoire of songs from the 20’s to the 70’s has established their popularity with audiences of all ages.

This evening's programme was drawn from the following songs:

Wonderful Day, Let’s Get Away From It All, Yesterday, Land of Jazz, Wild Irish Rose, Georgia On My Mind, Bye Bye Blue, Gospel Medley, There’s a Meeting Here Tonight, Wonderful World, Something, Hello Mary Lou, Under the Broadwalk, Dream a Little Dream, Old St. Louis, Barbershop Song

Lorraine Lee Hammond

Lorraine was raised in rural Northwestern Connecticut when traditional music was still a vibrant and integrated part of community life. She is a self-taught banjo player and singer, and a leading proponent of the Appalachian dulcimer. Lorraine is also an accomplished player of the Celtic harp, and a skilled songwriter.

Lorraine’s 1999 Shanachie release of West Virginia tunes with fiddler Gerry Milnes, "Hell Up Coal Holler," again breaks new ground for the dulcimer. Her newest recording, Jingalo Gypsy, with husband Bennett, was hailed by Dirty Linen Magazine as " a warm, enveloping, well-thought-out recording….a beautiful CD."
This evening Lorraine will draw from her repertoire of traditional Appalachian songs and ballads, accompanying herself with banjo and Appalachian dulcimer. She will be joined by longtime friend and recording and performance companion, Roger Nicholson, for a few traditional duets. Sarah Bauhan, American flute and whistle player who has performed and recorded with Lorraine for decades, will also join her for part of her programme.

Petros Andreou

Petros Andreou is an Associate and Licentiate of the London College of Music (Classical Guitar) and has been teaching classical guitar in the London Borough of Barnet for over 15 years. He is a regular performer and supporter of Ealing Guitar Society. In his 6-7 concerts to date, Petros has included performances on Classical and 19th Century Romantic Guitar as well as the Greek folk instrument, the bouzouki. In recent years, Petros has twice performed bouzouki at the Royal Festival Hall’s Purcell Room in London.

Petros’ concert focused on the works of 2 key composers, Johann Sebastian Bach (Complete Cello Suite No.1 BW 1007) and Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Preludes 3,5 He will be concluding his recital with 2 movements from Lobos’ well-known Suite Populaire Bresilienne, the Mazurka Choro (1) and Gavotta Choro (4). Petros currently plays guitars by the Madrid makers Tezanos-Perez.

Michael Berk and Gerard Cousins

This was Michael's second appearance this year. Like his appearance last month alongside Roland Chadwick, Michael delivered an inspirational display of musicianship and technique, interweaving his own compositions alongside versions of well-known compositions comprising blue-grass, jazz and folk. Michael Berk .com



Gerard Cousins began his musical studies in Brecon, Wales where he was born. He furthered his studies at the University of Leeds, studying with Graham Wade and was selected to study composition and performance for another year at the Enschede Conservatorium, Netherlands. After graduating with a B.Mus(Hons), Gerard moved to London deepening his knowledge of Spanish music by studying flamenco with Francisco Antonio. Gerard has performed widely in Europe and is an national and international competition prizewinner. In July 2005, he made his South Bank debut at the Purcell Room with the Dillington Festival Ensemble. Gerard.com

Roland Chadwick

Roland Chadwick is a Composer, Guitarist and internationally acclaimed recording artist. A trained classical guitarist, he plays "anything with frets". Born in May 1957, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, Roland made his Sydney Opera House debut in 1988 and has since built a reputation as Australia’s master Guitarist/Composer. From 1979 to 1996 he lived and worked in Sydney as a performer and composer and in 1997 took a sabbatical in Los Angeles where he worked on developing a more personal compositional style. At the end of 1997 he moved to the UK and is now based in West London. Roland, also plays with Roland Gallery and Vincent Lindsey Clark in The Modern Guitar Trio. His website.

Antonio De Innocentis

Antonio was born in Naples in 1961. In 1985 he was awarded ‘Summa cum Laude’ at the D. Cimarosa Conservatory in Avellino, Italy. From 1983 to 1990 he attended Master Classes by Eliot Fisk in Florence, at the Vienna Conservatory and at the Salzburg Mozarteum. He gave his first concert in 1980 and apart from playing all over Europe, he regularly holds tours in the USA. He has won first prize in several guitar competitions including Pesaro (2nd National Contest, 1981), Bardolino (4th International Contest, 1981) and Genoa(4th National Contest ‘P. Taraffo’, 1984). He was the first guitarist in the world to have performed the entire ‘24 Caprices’ by N. Paganini in one single concert (Avellino, Italy, 1992).

Mr. De Innocentis has premiered and published several works composed especially for him. Important composers who have dedicated their works to him include John W. Duarte, Larry Cooperman, John Bent, Pasquale Bifulco from the USA, Jonatas Batista-Neto from Brazil, Luigi Arbolino and Marcello Parisi from Italy, Peter Stewart from Scotland and Neil Smith from England. In addition to performing actively, he gives Master Classes (Florence and Giugliano, Italy; Frensham Heights, England; Oatridge Festival, Aberdeen and Glasgow, Scotland; San Diego and Fresno, California, USA; Turner, Maine, USA) and teaches regularly at the “A. Ruggiero” School in Caserta, Italy. He has also been juryman in International Guitar Contests. His performances are broadcasted by several US TVs and Radio Stations in California, Maine, Iowa.

His first recording “Guitar Recital” (Fiammant Records, 1997), reviewed by Classical Guitar Magazine, UK, and New Millennium Guitar Magazine, USA, contains works by Scarlatti, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Dyens and others, including Asturias by Albeniz played in its original key of G minor. His second CD “Premiere!” (Fiammant Records, 2004) features the world premiere recording of the Twelve Studies op. 140 and Prelude, Canto and Toccata op. 38 by J. Duarte as well as Four Pieces by L. Arbolino and contains also Fauré’s Pavane op. 50, Scarlatti’s Three Sonatas and Joplin’s Two Ragtimes. He has published some of his transcriptions and revisions in Italy and the USA(California, Florida). In September 1998 and October 2000 Classical Guitar Magazine’s music supplement was dedicated to his transcriptions and, in March 2003, he was also interviewed by the prestigious magazine.In October 1999, kindly invited by Mrs. Dorothy Duarte, he took part in John Duarte’s 80th birthday concert at the Bolivar Hall, Embassy of Venezuela, in London. Among his recent engagements have been several world premieres in presence of the composers: the Twelve Studies op. 140 by John Duarte, at the 6th Oatridge International Guitar Festival (Scotland, 2001), where was invited as guest artist; Bless Me, Ultima by Larry Cooperman, at the Guitar Foundation of America International Convention 2001, in La Jolla, California (please see www.newmillguitar.com); Povero Pietro! by Peter Stewart at St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh (2002); Passacaglia by Marcello Parisi as well as Luigi Arbolino’s To Reminisce and Return to Glenmore (July-August 2003) in Scotland again.

He also regularly performs with the prestigious Edith Ferguson’s Ensemble in Glasgow and at Kellie Castle for the National Trust for Scotland, and appeared also at the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain (please see www.bestguitarfest.com), Wirral (Liverpool, 2001). Moreover, since 2000 he has toured the USfive times, and, so far, he has performed in California, Arizona, Iowa, Missouri, Maine. In November 2003 Antonio went again to Scotland to give the Scottish Premiere of Claude Bolling’s Picnic Suite (for guitar, flute and jazz trio) with members of the Heisenberg Ensemble at Kellie Castle, Fife. In July 2004 has been invited to play in Wales with the NYGE Orchestra under the conduction of the famous English composer Gerald Garcia and, always in July 2004, he played for the EGTA Annual Conference at Cambridge. In December 2004 he founded the “John Duarte Guitar Quintet”, the name approved by Mrs Dorothy Duarte

Brad Richter

Brad taught himself to play guitar and compose at age 12. Six years later, with no formal musical training, he was awarded the Presidential Scholarship to the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. After graduating, he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied with guitarist Carlos Bonell. He went on to win the Royal College of Music guitar competition before completing his Master's degree and returning to the US to continue his concert career.

Brad is well known as a soloist in North America and Europe. He regularly plays with orchestras and in duos with artists including the soprano Nancy Davis Booth and the cellist David Finkel, of the Emerson String Quartet. He is a frequent performer on radio and television in the US, and wrote the score to several episodes of a television series, The Desert Speaks.

Brad’s programmes consist mainly of his own compositions, which are inspired by the landscape of mountains and deserts in Tucson, Arizona (where he lives), and the folk stories of the Native North American Indians.