John Etheridge “Blue Spirits” TRIO with Vimala Rowe
Led by guitar legend JOHN ETHERIDGE, the Blue Spirits Trio includes Pete Whittaker on organ & George Double on drums. They are joined for this very special New Year’s gig by guest vocalist, the sensational VIMALA ROWE.
John Etheridge's reputation in the jazz world cannot be overstated. A genuinely virtuosic fusion guitarist, Etheridge is one of a handful of players who can claim to have helped shape the character of modern jazz guitar. He has been described by fellow fretsman Pat Metheny as 'one of the best guitarists in the world', and The Blue Spirits Trio came about through John’s love of electric guitar and organ combined, and a desire for a vehicle for the bluesier side of John’s playing. There are plenty of typical swing elements, augmented by soulful ballads, fiery funk outings all presented with warm humour by John. The band has been popular on the club circuit for many years and always delivers.
John Etheridge and Vimala Rowe scored a resounding critical success with their album ‘Out of the Sky’ ,which was in the Top Ten Critic’s lists for 2016 in both the Guardian and Sunday Times. Vimala is a sensational singer who has mesmerised audiences since she emerged a few years ago and has the same wide ranging skills and tastes as John They are ideal partners, alike in their search for musical adventure and authenticity.
PLUS Pre-gig “Mexian Fiesta” menu from Mandira’s Kitchen!
Follow the link to buy your tickets now or use the tabs below to read about the event in more detail.
EVENT INFO
Performance times
Performance times 8pm to 10.30pm
Doors open from 7pm.
Please note there are no physical tickets, just give your name on the door when you arrive. There’s a bar available beforehand and at the interval, and a delicious pre-gig meal from Mandira’s Kitchen.
MEXICAN FIESTA Menu!
Tex-Mex Samosas with chipotle sauce (Crispy pastry with peppers, sweetcorn and cheese)
Lamb Chilli or Meatless Chilli & Rice (A warming spicy chilli with a twist - vegetarian option with soya mince)
Please select Lamb or Vegetarian from the menu and let us know about any allergies or dietary requests on the booking form
If you have any questions please contact us by emailing info@guildfordjazz.org.uk
TICKETS
General admission £20
Guildford Jazz Members £18
Students/U18s £7
Student Members £5
Meals £13
All prices include booking fees
WHO'S PLAYING?
John Etheridge
“No doubting his awesome authority when he touches the guitar” – The Guardian
John Etheridge rightly enjoys a glowing reputation throughout the jazz world and beyond and has been described by Pat Metheny as, “One of the best guitarists in the world”. He is a prodigiously gifted and creative player whose approach to music can only be described as eclectic, his range being well illustrated by his years of touring and recording with Stephane Grappelli while simultaneously doing likewise with the legendary jazz-fusion group, The Soft Machine.
"I never wanted to be a star, just a highly respected musician like John Etheridge" Sting (THE GUARDIAN 1981)
VIMALA ROWE
A Fortuitous meeting in North London brought together legendary guitar veteran John Etheridge and extravagantly talented singer Vimala Rowe, who have developed a highly personal repertoire from an eclectic mix of musics – original and traditional. Both performers have a protean range of influences. Etheridge has over the years worked in contexts from Classical, Jazz to Progressive Rock, whereas Rowe’s span seems almost instinctive – effortlessly absorbing and blending the worlds of all the great soul and jazz singers into a personal mix including Indian Classical, African Folk and Syriac Aramaic.
One of the defining features of the duo’s work is the commitment and passion of their delivery. Rowe is a fiery performer by any standards- yet the paring down to just two produces intimacy and drama alike. Explosive but chambered. The big effect and the delicate gesture. The pieces are carefully chosen to surprise, but above all to take the listener on an emotional journey through joy and pain, sombre or swinging. There’s dark and light. A real musical journey.
“Rowe…A captivating and seemingly effortless soulful voice” KISS FM
pete Whittaker - organ
In a style that draws from Blues, Gospel, Funk as well as Bebop Pete has featured with many of the UK’s top jazz musicians especially in the organ/guitar/drums trio line-up. As such, he aims for a style which is improvisatory and expressive, but firmly tied to an all-pervading groove.
“Pete Whittaker, an object lesson in soulfulness” LONDON JAZZ NEWS
George Double - drums
A favourite with Guildford Jazz audiences, George's playing and recording credits include Dame Shirley Bassey, Grammy Award Winner Jack Jones, Marc Almond, Mica Paris, Ruthie Henshall and Kym Mazelle. His West End and touring theatre record includes stints on Wicked, Guys and Dolls, Avenue Q, Sinatra and Anything Goes.
He is active on the British jazz scene and appears regularly at Ronnie Scott’s club in London and elsewhere as a freelancer (with Chris Ingham, John Etheridge, Art Themen, Digby Fairweather, Derek Nash and many others). He is also curator of Hadleigh and Southwold Jazz Clubs.
“Swinging, pithy and unerringly apt” - MOJO Magazine
Marianne Windham - bass
Guildford Jazz anchor Marianne Windham completes the lineup on double bass
DIRECTIONS
The performance is upstairs in the Pavilion building at the Guildford County Cricket Club, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP
For sat navs please check the postcode takes you to Wharf Road. There’s a car park alongside, entry from Wharf Road. If you’re approaching from Guildford town centre, Wharf Road is on the left just before the Sports Ground. If you’re approaching from the A3/Ladymead there’s no right turn into Wharf Road, but continue to the next roundabout to double back.
If the car park’s full (please also park down the middle once the bays are full), there are a few parking bays along Wharf Road which you can use after 7pm, also along the Woodbridge Road on the left as you come from the Town centre.
You may find it easier to use the larger public car parks at Bedford Road Car Park (GU1 4SJ), which is about 10 minutes walk away.
SEATING
Seating is either in front row settees/armchairs, central round tables, or rear high chairs/tables. Seats will be reserved for you when you book. If you’re a Guildford Jazz member, please let us know if you have a seating preference on your booking form.
Notes on the layout: Front row: Seats 1, 3 and 4 and 3-seater settees, and seats 2 and 5 are pairs of armchairs. Middle tables: Tables 6 to 20 are small round tables , each seating 4 (for bookings of 1 or 2 seats, we’ll seat you at a table with others, please let us know if you have friends coming who you’d like to sit with!). Table 29 is a small round table seating 2. Rear tables: Tables 21 to 26 are tall tables suitable for 2 people, with high stools. Groups: Tables 27 and 28 are larger tables, ideal for groups up to 8
