Great Guitars Revisited

Dominic Ashworth (guitar)

Andy Watson (guitar)

Simon Hurley (guitar)

The original Great Guitars trio of Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis and Barney Kessel were formed in 1973. They performed intermittently over the next twenty years, recording five live albums, the last in 2005.

Great Guitars Revisited was formed in homage to that great American trio, composed of three of Britain’s current array of amazingly talented guitarists. They will bring you a musical story on jazz from the 70’s, 80’s 90’s and beyond, when the three American guitarists joined forces and left a lasting legacy of guitar styles that even remains innovative today. They covered a wide range of styles and genres as you will hear when our trio revisit their music.

Dominic Ashworth, a regular favourite at the jazz centre, appearing here alongside Mick Foster and with his own trio, but never before in the little-performed three-guitar line-up. Dominic has spoken of how Bach has influenced him and his compositions, as well as classical guitar and flamenco. From the jazz world his influences include George Benson, Wes Montgomery and Jim Hall.

Simon Hurley is a guitarist competent in many styles, rock, blues and country. It was at the Colchester Institute that he began to study jazz under the tutelage of session guitarist Andy Watson, a relationship that has now developed into the Watson / Hurley Jazz Guitar Duo. His jazz playing is much inspired by that of Joe Pass and Martin Taylor; the latter described his playing as ‘Just beautiful’.

Andy Watson graduated at City of Leeds College of Music, where so many of our jazz musicians studied. Andy has been a professional musician for the whole of his working life as a player and educator. Andy has an extensive jazz performance track record, including performances with Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia, and Paul Higg’s Pavane.