Ben Kearsley

Ben Kearsley was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He began classical guitar with Norman Quinney, then later with Ian Smith. Ben studied with Simon Dinnigan at the Birmingham Conservatory where he graduated B. Mus (Hons).He has studied and lived in La Paz, Bolivia and Madrid, Spain. Performing at SIART-99 and teaching at the Conservatorio in La Paz.

Ben has performed in masterclasses for Alirio Diaz, Jose Tomas, David Russell, Elliot Fisk, Roland Dyens, Nigel North, Ben Verdery and Carlos Bonnell.

In 2004 Ben gave his first Scottish tour and in 2005 he undertook a 40 date UK tour and recorded his debut CD, ‘Sunburst’. In 2006 Ben completed a second 40 date UK tour and recorded his second CD, ‘Koyunbaba’. Ben is currently playing a third UK tour with some new pieces which he will record later in the year as his 3rd CD – ‘Sakura’.

The evening's programme will include some of the most engaging and popular music in the guitar's repertoire - classics by Albeniz and Tarrega, and contemporary works by Carlo Domeniconi, Roland Dyens, Gary Ryan, Jorge Morel, Andrew York.

Dimitris Dekavallas

The highly acclaimed classical guitarist destined for stardom on the international concert platform.

Described by Julian Bream as a ‘very exciting’ performer, Dimitris Dekavallas has always been considered one of the most talented guitarists of his age. He was born in Athens in 1982 and began learning the guitar at the age of 6. First taught at the National Conservatory of Athens, Dimitris continued his studies at the Hellenic Conservatory of Athens and graduated from there in 2002 with 1st Prize, achieving the highest mark. In 2005 he started his 1st year of a Postgraduate Degree at the Royal Academy of Music under Micheal Lewin, Timothy Walker and John Mills, where he won the TEBUTT EXIBITION Scholarship. Dimitris continues his studies at the Royal Academy winning 1st Prize in the IKY NATIONAL Scholarship Foundation in Greece in 2004. In 2007 he received his Diploma of Postgraduate Performance (Distinction) in guitar and his L.R.A.M. Teaching Diploma (Distinction). The R.A.M. awarded him with the ‘Blyth Watson Prize’ at his graduation.

Dimitris gave his first public performance when he was 9 years old at the National Concert Hall of Athens. His prowess since has led to concert tours throughout Greece.. He has also given solo performances in Athens, Thessaloniki, Veria, Volos, Crete, Larissa, Ioannina, Syros and Lamia. His reputation as a leading classical guitarist is now well established in the UK with recently recitals at City and Guilds, London; ‘Bolivar Hall International Guitar Festival’,London; The Old Malt House, Hertfordshire; The Dorset Guitar Society; Royal Academy of Music, London; St Martin’s in the Field ,London;, Sheffield Cathedral; and St Paul’s Covent Garden. Masterclasses appearances include with John Williams, Sir Peter Maxwell-Davies and Sir Richard Rodney Bennett.

Dimitris Dekavallas is a renowned international prize winner. He has taken part in the ‘International Festival of Volos for Classical Guitar’, ‘International Festival of Hermoupolis for Guitar’, and ‘Veria National Festival for Guitar’. Dimitris won:
· 1st prize in the ‘National Guitar Competition: ODE TO GUITAR’.
· In 2000 2nd prize in the ‘Halkida National Guitar Competition’.
· In 2003 1st prize in the ‘Veria National Guitar Competition’.
· In 2003 1st prize in the ‘Volos International Guitar Competition’.
· In 2005 1st prize in the ‘Ivor Mairants Guitar Award’ - London.
· In 2008 ‘Special Prize’ and ‘Audience Prize’ in Eduard Pamfil Guitar Competition –Bucharest 2008
· In 2008 ‘Recommended Artist status prize’ of ‘Philip & Dorothy Green’ Award - London

Dimitris Dekavallas currently lives in London and teaches the guitar at Heathside Preparatory School in Hampstead. Dimitris plays with a ‘G. Smallman’ guitar once owned by John Williams, now on loan from the Royal Academy. His website: www.dimitrisdekavalla.com

"Very exciting performer" Julian Bream; "Dimitris performed an extraordinary concert on a guitar once owned by John Williams. The young guitarist from Athens gave a masterly performance" Greenwood Guitar Society; "Spirited playing by Dimitis Dekavallas" Classical Guitar (on winning the Ivor Mairants Award); Dimitris filled the hall with the huge volume of sound he produced…..the standard of his playing is second to none… stunning performance" Dorset Guitar Society.

Dimitris Dekavallas commands an almost limitless repertoire for both solo guitar, orchestral concerti and ensembles, including Albeniz, Bach, Barrios, Brouwer, Domeniconi, Dowland, De Falla, Frescobaldi, Giuliani, Granados, Jose, Antonio Lauro, Morel, Mudarra, Piazzola, Pipo, Ponce, Rodrigo, Satie, Tarrega, Tedesco, Turina, Villa-Lobos, Walton.

Ten String Fever

Violinist Jane Miller and guitarist Terry Spooner formed TenStringFever in the late summer of 2005, although both musicians had played together in various ensembles prior to that time.Between them they encompass a very wide musical spectrum, as can be heard in their live performances and on ‘Jigs and Jazz’, their debut album.

Their playing has been influenced by their vast number of performances in different fields of music. Between them they have performed in orchestras, rock bands, string quartets, jazz groups, dance bands, folk groups as well as solo classical recitals.

The music performed ranges from traditional Irish and English jigs and ballads, through the classical music of Boccherini, Granados and Sibelius, to the great jazz tunes of Django Reinhardt and George Shearing, and on to the tangos of Piazzolla.

The unusual combination of guitar and violin combined with the range of music played by the duo (in their own arrangements) produces a highly individualistic sound.

Paul Saywood

I started playing guitar twenty years ago, and have hardly put it down since. I've been teaching for the past ten years, and it gives me enormous pleasure to see my students thrive.Having spent many years studying many of the standards by Barrios, Tarrega, Albeniz and Villa-Lobos I decided that it was time for me to put something back for the guitar repertoire, so I took up composition. It is my aim to create many hours of interesting new music for solo guitar, and hopefully my music will be played by those future guitar players who want something modern and colourful to play.

I am very much inspired by nature, so most of my work to date reflects this in title and sound.I have a growing following on the Internet site YouTube where I've been posting my compositions, I've found that my music appeals to young and old, and isn't exclusive to those who play classical guitar.

Programme:

Op. 9, Twelve Months in Britain

Op. 11, Sea Creatures

Op. 8, Trees

Op. 10, Studies

No concert in May

David Price

David is a lifelong jazz musician, successful band leader and banjo player of universal distinction, and has many television and radio appearances to his credit. His extensive knowledge, humour and audience rapport have given his appearances and courses widespread appeal.

David became interested in jazz as a schoolboy playing clarinet, saxophone and banjo as well as brass. As a teenager, he joined a vintage style jazz band which performed in virtually all of London’s established jazz clubs. During his twenties, his mixed career included playing in a comedy band and being a successful solo cabaret entertainer in addition to studying classical guitar to diploma at the London College of Music.

Later, he won a Wavendon (John Dankworth) Allmusic Musician of the Year Award presented at the Barbican by HRH Princess in 1985, and performed the first Southbank banjo recital at the Purcell Room. He has played for numerous celebrities and royalty, and for many decades, has performed worldwide in all manner of jazz combos in every situation imaginable. For several years, David ran an entertainment agency but today, he runs a professional jazz quartet, plays solo, lectures on jazz appreciation and teaches jazz performance and banjo to a very high standard.

David will be presenting a selection of jazz standards, Latin American, rags, some unusual items and the odd surprise. Listen out for the Harry Lime Theme, Hernando's Holiday, the theme from Godfather, a touch of Bach and maybe a comedy song and some nifty natter.

You will hear banjo in its fullest splendour, as you've never heard it played before combined with David's very own nearly 'live' pre-recorded rhythm-section of piano, double-bass and percussion. A special souvenir CD of 20 tracks will be on sale at the special price of £5.00.

Jeff Rodriguez

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, was released in 2006, and featured music by Ponce, Asencio, Villa-Lobos and Lopes-Graca.

Stephen Yates

Stephen has been a regular performer at Ealing for over 15 years. He has won several awards, which include the Vicente Sanchis Guitar Challenge, and has been voted Guitarist magazine’s ‘Guitarist of the Year’. As a classical player he performs a wide-ranging repertoire from baroque through romantic to contemporary works.

Stephen Dell

The society’s chairman will be presenting the first concert of 2008. Funds raised during the evening will help us to pay for 2008’s recitals.

Stephen began learning the guitar at the age of 8, his fast progress helped by 3 extraordinarily effective tutor books that his father Chris had just written, which utilised a new method of teaching music using colour.

Having attended around 200 concerts and taken part in dozens of guitar workshops hosted by his father during the 70’s and early 80’s at the Old Malthouse Music Society in Hertfordshire, Stephen realised that although he loved the guitar very much, he would never have the drive and determination to become a professional player, as he soon realised the many hours of assiduous practise it involved. Growing up reading the somewhat ruthless concert reviews within the pages of Guitar magazine also contributed to this feeling!

Tonight's programme will hopefully please those who enjoy a varied and eclectic mix of quality music, from 16th & 17th century rock’n’rollers Dowland and Bach, to the fiery and impassioned music of Spain’s Granados, Torroba and Albeniz, to the darkness of Chopin and the lightness of Joplin.

Please come and support the society this evening – you’re assured of a warm welcome and you’ll be fed and watered too.

the Oddfellas

We play acoustic folk music - tunes and songs from England, Ireland, America, Scotland, France - basically wherever we find a tune we like. The main motivation for the band is the fun of creating/performing music, ie taking a tune, devising an arrangement that makes it something we like and is 'ours', and then putting it in front of an audience.

The Oddfellas are: Bob Little, mostly banjo - Glyn Hatherall, mostly recorders - Jerry Alleguen, mostly guitar - Robert Underwood, mostly mandolin - Paul McKenna, mostly guitar.

Some of the tunes we play: 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. The King of Leix. An favourite Irish tune of Glyn's. 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.

Our website: http://www.oddfellas.co.uk/

Branco Stoysin Trio

Born in a university town Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, and entirely self-taught, Branco began playing guitar at the age of 15 and very soon found a love of jazz and Brazilian music, influenced by Joe Pass, Charlie Parker and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Branco has been composing his own music since he was 18, inspired by the Sun, Jazz, Traditional Folk music of Yugoslavia, Brazilian and classical music. The interest in these compositions led to recordings for radio and TV Novi Sad. Following this, Branco formed his "Sad Nova Trio" whose success led to numerous concerts and broadcasts on TV.

As an avid reader of the Sherlock Holmes series, he began to hanker after a different life and wider musical opportunities. in the nineties he set off to England with little more than his guitar and has since become a fixture on the London and UK music scene, actively composing and performing solo, in various duos and with his NEW trio featuring the elegant Leslee Booth on 6 string contra bass and and imaginative Buster Birch on percussion. Branco composes and plays sensual music of great beauty, coloured by many world influences.

The trio has performed at many popular venues including the National Theatre, Royal Festival Hall and Barbican Arts Centre. Branco has also appeared with his trio on Sky TV "Arts World", BBC Radio 3's "In Tune"programme and is regularly featured and a favourite on Sarah Ward's show on Smooth FM.

Ben Kearsley

Ben Kearsley was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He began classical guitar with Norman Quinney, then later with Ian Smith. Ben studied with Simon Dinnigan at the Birmingham Conservatory where he graduated B. Mus (Hons). Ben has performed in masterclass for Alirio Diaz, Jose Tomas, David Russell, Elliot Fisk, Roland Dyens, Nigel North, Ben Verdery and Carlos Bonnell.

Ben has studied and lived in La Paz, Bolivia and Madrid, Spain. Performing at SIART-99 and teaching at the Conservatorio in La Paz. In 2004 Ben gave his first Scottish tour and in 2005 he undertook a 40 date UK tour and recorded his debut CD, ‘Sunburst’.

In 2006 Ben completed a second 40 date UK tour and recorded his second CD, ‘Koyunbaba’. He is currently playing a third UK tour with some new pieces which he will record later in the year as his 3rd CD – ‘Sakura’.

September - Steve Christmas

Steve began playing the guitar at the age of 14, and quickly progressed, receiving tuition from John Mills, Raymond Burley and more recently, Craig Ogden. He attended the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama to continue his studies with John Mills, graduating in 1999. In master classes, he has performed for Nigel North, Simon Dinnigan, Carlos Bonnell and Gary Ryan.

Steve performs regularly as a soloist, as one half of guitar duo Duende Guitars and as part of a guitar trio with Raymond Burley and Debbie Haeck. He has recently been working with a flautist and with baritone Stephen Willis performing lute songs by John Dowland.

Alongside his performing commitments, Steve is in demand as a guitar teacher. As well as being a regular tutor, he has co-directed on the National Youth Music Camps and writes guitar courses for primary school pupils.

Steve’s programme will include Variations on a Theme of Handel by Giuliani, Usher Waltz by Koshkin, Suite Castellana by Torroba, The Earl of Essex’s Galliard by Dowland, and La Catedral by Barrios.

August - no concert - summer vacation

July 1st - El Moreno

El Moreno (aka Richard Smith) continually tours the country presenting programmes that mix romantic classics with flamenco and Latin-American style pieces.

In his early career he took part in master classes with John Williams and later studied with Argentine Guitarist Jorge Morel in New York. He has performed at the West Dean International Guitar Festival and has recently written and presented the
‘Absolute Beginners Classical Guitar’DVD for publishers Music Sales Ltd.

His performances often include guest appearances with his wife, Australian Soprano - Carol Oliver.

The programme includes works by Tarrega, Beethoven, Mozart and Villa-Lobos.

http://elmoreno.co.uk/

Philip John Lee

Philip John Lee is a genuinely exceptional Flamenco guitarist. A guitarist of the ‘old school’, he learnt in the traditional way at a time when Flamenco was generally considered the sole province of Andalusians and the Gypsies.

Philip’s debut album was released in 1969 and received wide critical acclaim selling over 250,000 copies. Since then, Philip has given many concerts in Britain and Europe including recitals at London’s world famous Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room. He has also broadcast on radio and television. During a ten year residence in Los Angeles Philip was regularly heard on KPFK Radio LA and was resident soloist and accompanying guitarist at Hollywood’s renowned El Cid restaurant. Other appearances include both the LA and Fresno Convention Centres. Philip has recently returned to England and has settled in West London where he is concentrating on teaching and recording.

May - bank holiday, no concert

Ed Renshaw and Petros Andreou

Edward Renshaw.

Born in London in 1981, Edward Renshaw began to play the guitar at age 10 before going on to study Jazz at Goldsmiths and Classical Music at the Guildhall and University of Sussex. Whilst Attending the Guildhall, Edward studied Classical Guitar under the direction of Antonio Albanes and graduated with the universities highest award for performance. Edward Renshaw’s repertoire embraces a wide range of styles and approaches, from the standard classical repertoire to contemporary music, jazz and flamenco.

In parallel to classical performances, Edward has developed as a jazz performer and currently works along side British Jazz par prize-winning saxophonist Tony Coe at a variety of London Jazz venues.

Granados, Enrique (1867 - 1916)-Danza española No. 5Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750)Excerpts from the Lute Suite No. 4, BWV 1006a- Prelude- Loure- Gavotte En Rondeau- Bouree- GigueVilla-Lobos, Heitor (1887-1959)- Prelude No 2 in E major and Prelude No 3 AminorWalton, William (1902 - 1983)-Bagatelles No 2, Lento and 3 Alla Cubana

and ....

Petros Andreou

Greek Bouzouki player Petros Andreou will be playing music by M. Theodoratis and Greek traditonal music and Petros' own transcription for Bouzouki of J.S. Bach's Cello Suite BWV 1007.

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 recent years, Petros has twice performed bouzouki at the Royal Festival Hall’s Purcell Room in London.

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