Camden New Journal
Publications by New Journal Enterprises
spacer
  Home Archive Competition Jobs Tickets Accommodation Dating Contact us
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
The Review - CLASSICAL & JAZZ
Published: 13 August 2009
 
Left: John Williams with John Etheridge
Left: John Williams with John Etheridge
It takes two to Django

PREVIEW: JOHN ETHERIDGE
Pizza Express

HAMPSTEAD guitarist John Etheridge will be displaying his different styles of playing during a seven-day residency at Pizza Express in Soho starting next Thursday.
To begin with, he’s giving one of his ­legendary solo ­performances that has to be heard to be believed, as he moves through driving gypsy jazz and soaring blues renditions to “finger style with bass line” interpretations of standards and hard-edged modern jazz.
Then there two evenings ­featuring his Sweet ­Chorus quartet playing “hot club” jazz in the style of Stephane ­Grappelli, the French jazz violinist.
A new CD album paying homage to Grappelli is to be launched at the quartet’s opening ­session. Etheridge played with Grappelli for six years during the 1970s filling the slot once occupied by gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.
Although not a “Django” player by any means, Etheridge knew the repertoire and was a good improviser. The years with Grappelli were among the happiest in his life, he says, the French violinist being a tremendous influence on his musical development.
Chris Garrick is the violinist in the Sweet Chorus quartet and he’s staying on to play duets with Etheridge on ­Sunday evening, getting just about as close to the great Reinhardt/Grappelli gypsy jazz style as you’re likely to get.
Last up to play with Etheridge for the final three sessions will be John Williams, the ­Camden classical ­guitarist widely regarded as the most accom­plished of his generation.
The two guitar-playing Johns (pictured) started collaborating in 2006. Their pairing of acoustic classical gut and jazz steel strings is a unique combination, which has enabled the guitarists to explore ethnic world music alongside the treasure trove of classical and jazz music.
Jazz Club Soho, Pizza Express, 10 Dean Street,W1, August 20, 7pm, 0845 6027 017re sounded as vital, fresh and thrilling today as it must have sounded on its first ­performance at Ronnie Scott’s all those years ago.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:


 

Click here to book your hotel
Check Prices, Availability & Book Online
Receive Online Discounts and Instant Confirmation
spacer
» Rock & Pop
» Gig Listings
» Classical & Jazz
» C&J Listings
» Book concerts/gigs
» Buy CDs














spacer


Theatre Music
Arts & Events Attractions
spacer
 
 


  up