Tom Kerstens’ G Plus Ensemble
Hall Two, Kings Place
Tom Kerstens is a major figure in the guitar world. He is highly regarded as a versatile performer on modern and period instruments and is an influential champion of the guitar in his roles as player, recording artist and artistic director. He was chosen in Classic FM’s list of the ‘100 best classical artists’ and ‘Five best guitarists world-wide’ whilst hailed as a ‘refreshing musical explorer’. He has commissioned 127 works for IGF in the past 20 years. His G Plus Ensemble consists of two classical or electric guitars, string quartet and percussion and is exclusively dedicated to new music.
The absence of a piano and the combination of plucked and bowed strings and percussion produces a ravishing sound which is quite unique. The G Plus Ensemble has recorded two highly acclaimed CDs: Utopia for Peter Gabriel’s Real World label and IGNiTE for BGS Records, the group is currently finishing a third CD for BGS which will be released in early 2025.
Line up is:
Tom Kerstens, classical guitar and electric bass guitar; Kevin Cahill, classical and electric guitar; Rebecca Bell violin 1; Hannah Bell, violin 2; Hannah Gardiner, viola; Ben Michaels, cello.
This exciting programme features the world premieres of two new pieces, Joyful by Bobbie-Jane Gardner and What the Leaf Sees John Metcalfe, as well as other IGF commissions by Léo Brouwer, Laura Snowden, Joby Talbot, Joe Cutler and Howard Skempton.
Biréli Lagrène
Hall One, Kings Place
Biréli Lagrène is one of the greatest guitar virtuosos in any style of music. A prodigy of the instrument, he started out at as Gypsy guitar wizard. Later he developed a highly distinctive and innovative style, drawing much praise for his fertile blend of swinging continental jazz, post-bop, fusion and rock.
He has collaborated with such legendary players as Stéphane Grappelli, Ginger Baker, Al di Meola, Paco de Lucía, John McLaughlin and countless others. Given that roster of top collaborators one might mistakenly assume that Lagrène is quite advanced in years, but this is not the case; the fact is, he was drawn to the guitar as a child of four, and after auditioning at the intermission, was invited onstage with Grappelli for the second half – when he was only ten years old. When his Routes to Django: Live was issued in 1980, the 13-year-old jazz guitarist was immediately praised by critics as a protégé of Django Reinhardt. He had already won a prize in a festival at Strasbourg in 1978, and his appearance at a Gypsy festival was broadcast on television. He soon broadened his approach, exploring a wide variety of jazz from Wes Montgomery to Jimi Hendrix and got recording with some of modern jazz’s biggest names.
Renowned for his virtuosic performances and jazz improvisational skills, Biréli has produced numerous albums and toured the world, collaborating with exceptional musicians such as Jaco Pastorius, Jean Luc Ponty, Lenny White, Victor Bailey, Philip Catherine, Didier Lockwood, Larry Coryell and many others. He even replaced Eric Clapton during the temporary reformation of the legendary band Cream. Throughout the years, he has never ceased to impress the world with his unequalled virtuosity and astonishing rhythmic accuracy.
This is Biréli’s only performance in the UK, a unique opportunity you cannot miss!
‘One of the most remarkable guitar players on the planet.’
London Jazz News
Biréli will also be teaching a workshop assisted by John Wheatcroft, don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from this great master.
Flamenco with Teresa Hernández & Sara Jiménez
Hall Two, Kings Place
Teresa Hernández, extraordinary singer, guitarist and composer is one of the most exciting Flamenco artists to emerge on today’s world stage. She is making her UK debut tonight with a thrilling performance of her own music steeped in traditional and modern Flamenco. She sings and plays the guitar at the same time, which is extremely rare in Flamenco.
She is joined by two fantastic Flamenco artists: guitarist José ‘El Peli’ and dancer Sara Jiménez.
José ‘El Peli’ Muñoz is an outstanding guitarist, composer and producer in his own right, a regular at international Flamenco festivals around the world and currently touring with ‘Alter Ego’ a spectacular show with Alfonso Losa and dancer Patricia Guerrero.
Sara Jiménez, a wonderful dancer and choreographer, was born in Granada where she studied at the Reina Sofia Conservatorium of Dance; later also studying at the Centro Andaluz de Danza in Sevilla. Among her works as a choreographer are Fandango18, Saldiguera, Vía Bamba, Cover Up and VARIATION in tempo. As a solo dancer she has worked with prestigious companies such as Estévez & Paños, the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía, Daniel Doña and others. Since 2022 she has led her own company Sara Jiménez en Compañía.
Luke Tyrell & Juno Duo
St Pancras Room, Kings Place
Luke Tyrrell is a multi-award-winning classical guitarist. He is versed in all genres and varieties of guitar playing and has a special interest in performing neglected works. Luke aims to offer audiences unique and diverse recitals. He currently presents a program exploring the music of early 20th century Spain.
He has performed at many prestigious venues and events around the United Kingdom, including at The Embassy of Spain, The Royal Greenwich Guitar Festival and Charter house. In 2021, whilst still an undergraduate, Luke was honoured to win the Allison Stephens prize for plucked strings.
Programme includes Red (Homage to Rodrigo) by Errollyn Wallen and Sonata para Guitarra by Antonio José.
The Juno Duo is a British-Ukrainian Voice and Guitar chamber ensemble formed by Isabella Hulbert and Maryna Vosmirova. They pride themselves on their versatility as musicians, with their repertoire, from Baroque to Contemporary music, blending styles including Folk, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Pop with the Classical canon. They have recently recorded their Cabaret arrangements at Abbey Road Studios.
The Duo will perform the world premiere of a new IGF commission for voice and guitar Self Love by Bobbie-Jane Gardner.
Wales Guitar Duo
St Pancras Room, Kings Place
Established in 2020, the Wales Guitar Duo is Welsh classical guitarists, Cai Charles and Oliver Manning. They met during their undergraduate studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. They have performed both in the UK and abroad, most notably for Budleigh Music Festival and the ‘Maestros de la Guitarra’ concert series in Granada, Spain.
Oliver Manning was selected by John Williams to become a Julian Bream Trust Scholar in 2023 to support his postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Music, London. He also won first prize in the John Mills Guitar Competition, and first prize in the Orpheus Voice and Guitar Competition.
Cai Charles won the Solo String competition at the Wales National Eisteddfod. He gave the UK première of the Dos Dalias concerto by Gerardo Tamez as a soloist during the World Harp Congress 2022 in St David’s Hall, Wales.
