All that Jazz at the Victoria
NORTH Wales Jazz will be resuming its concerts at the Victoria Hotel, Menai Bridge, after a break for the summer, starting with the sensational gypsy jazz guitarist Gary Potter and his trio on Wednesday, October 18.
Gary Potter enjoys enormous popularity both as a jazz and country guitarist not only throughout the UK but also in Europe, the USA and Australia.
The winner of the British Country Music Award and the National Arts Award for Jazz, Gary has won high praise from his peers, including the late, great George Harrison who said: “He’s great”.
Entirely self-taught, he started to play guitar at the age of 11, appearing professionally in country bands when he was only 12.
Gary’s path towards jazz started when a friend gave him a recording by the legendary Django Reinhardt, which had an immediate impact on him. From then on jazz has been his life.
Gary, whose musical experience is extensive and covers jazz, country, classical, pop, funk and blues, is a virtuoso in country fingerpicking.
By the 90s, Potter was best known for his jazz work and, in 1994, came second in the guitar section of the British Jazz Awards.
He also appeared in the TV documentary, The Django Legacy (1999).
Voted Best Country Guitarist on three occasions, his unique approach to finger style followed a visit to the legendary Segovia when Gary was 15.
Gary was also one of the first gypsy guitarists to release a DVD, Hotter Than Hot, which was recorded at the North Wales International Jazz Guitar Festival, while his CD, Minor Swing, has been featured extensively on BBC Radio 2.
In addition to performing, Gary also composes and arranges music and he teaches internationally.
For this trio setting, Gary will be accompanied by Edward Binstead on rhythm guitar and Alan Stratton on double bass.
The music starts at 8.30pm and admission costs £6.50, concessions £6, and schoolchildren and Students’ Union members £3. Further information from North Wales Jazz on 01745 812260 and at www.northwalesjazz.org.uk.