Solo Artist

I am often asked to play solo guitar for weddings, private parties, restaurants and other functions. Using a subtly amplified classical guitar, I provide a warm gentle ambience that is commented on as being the perfect setting for the occasion. I recently recorded a CD featuring a favourite guitar made by Fred Watson in 1970.

Fred’s Guitar Sleeve Notes Fred Watson was a professional jazz guitarist playing with bands throughout Europe between the wars. He met, played and recorded with, among others, Django Reinhardt. In later years, Fred was hospitalised following a major heart attack where he used his strong belief in the power of the mind to rehearse the skills and techniques he would need to build guitars. The resultant guitars were sold in the 1960’s and early 1970’s through Boosey and Hawkes, and I came across Fred whilst a student, visiting his flat in Putney to marvel at his skills and the quality of his guitars. When I asked if he could improve my guitar he replied, ‘No – but have one of mine’. As a poverty stricken student, I could not afford such a guitar, but he took from the wall model number 20 that he had kept for himself and, for a nominal fee, sold it to me. That was in 1970. Since then, Fred’s guitar has remained a favourite. By 2007, the guitar was showing signs of wear and tear and was entrusted to the hands of Richard Bartram, also a maker of high quality guitars. To celebrate the return of Fred’s guitar to its original glory I just wanted to capture its sound with some of the music I like to play best. Thank you Fred.