| Solo Classical Guitar: |
| Up to 90 minutes: £392 |
| Up to 2 hours : £420 *with break |
| Extras: |
| Including wedding ceremony - additional: £40 |
| Song Requests not in repertoire: £40 |
Andy - AJ Classical Guitar - is a talented acoustic guitarist performing instrumental versions of popular jazz, soul and rock classics in a subtle classical guitar style ideal for adding ambience to receptions, dinners and corporate events. Offering a highly polished and flexible service, Andy boasts an impressively wide repertoire of well-known material ranging from 1960’s right through to recent chart hits. Andy’s pedigree is reflected in an impressive CV of events across the UK, mainland Europe and the Middle-East, including the 2009 Grand Prix in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Malcesine Castle Verona and London’s Dorchester Hotel.
Using a loop/sampler pedal, Andy is able to seamlessly layer multiple guitar parts and demonstrate his impressive live improvisation skills and enhance the melodies of original. Able to take requests in advance, Andy can adapt each piece stylistically according to the situation - for example it is possible to perform Daft Punk’s Get Lucky in a range of styles from bossa nova to classical romantic! All equipment - including a small amplifier - can operate entirely by battery power giving Andy total flexibility in terms of performance location, tonality and volume whether it be for small intimate occasions or large scale grand events.
Personable and vastly experienced, Andy is based in South-East England Cambridgeshire and is able to travel UK wide and internationally as required.
Based in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
= areas covered (up to 200 miles)
= free travel (up to 20 miles)
Favourites
Let's Dance (David Bowie) - Slowed down, chilled version (1983)
Boyz of Summer (Don Henley) - Absolute classic 80's! (1984)
Is This Love? (Bob Marley) - Beautiful song, great for register signings and pre-ceremony (1978)
Top Gun Main Theme (Harold Faltermeyer) - I feel the need, the need for ... (1986)
Jurassic Park/Star Wars/Indiana Jones (John Williams) - Very popular movie themes (70s-90s)
Take Five (Dave Brubeck) - Best-selling jazz single of all time (1959)
Get Lucky (Daft Punk) - Made in collaboration with prolific hit-maker Nile Rogers (2013)
Move on Up (Curtis Mayfield) - Originally released 1970, sampled by Kanye West in 2006
I'm Still Standing (Elton John) - Yeah yeah, yeah... (1983)
Fly Me to the Moon (Frank Sinatra) - first recorded in 1954, best known version by Sinatra ten years later
Move on Up (Curtis Mayfield) - Originally released 1970, sampled by Kanye West in 2006
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) - Motown classic, versatile, perfect for the recessional also worked well slowed down (1967)
Life on Mars (David Bowie) - Songwriting genius, and a real challenge to play (1971)
Isn't She Lovely (Stevie Wonder) - Great for ceremonies (1976)
God Only Knows (Beach Boys) - Brian Wilson & Co. at their finest (1966)
Like A Hurricane (Neil Young) - He's one of our own (1977)
The Girl from Ipanema (Antônio Carlos Jobim) - The full Brazilian (1963)
Man in the Mirror (Michael Jackson) - Chaamone (1988)
All Along the Watchtower (Jimi Hendrix) - One of his best-known masterpieces, a Bob Dylan cover (1965)
Teenage Kicks (Undertones) - Hard to beat (1978)
Isn't She Lovely (Stevie Wonder) - From the classic album Songs in the Key of Life (1976)
Recent (2000 onwards)
Symphony (Clean Bandit w/Zara Larsson) - Prolific band's third UK number one (2017)
Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran) - Ok I'll play this if you want me to... (2014)
All of Me (John Legend) - Third best-selling song of the year (2014)
Valerie (Amy Winehouse) - Originally by the Zutons (2006)
I'm Yours (Jason Mraz) - hugely successful summer hit (2005)
Get Lucky (Daft Punk) - Made in collaboration with prolific hit-maker Nile Rogers (2013)
How Long Will I Love You? (Ellie Goulding) - Works well for aisle walks and register signings (2013)
Sex on Fire (Kings of Leon) - One of the biggest bands of recent times (2008)
Shake It Off/Blank Space (Taylor Swift) - Yes, really! (2014)
1980's-90's
Nobody Does it Better (Carly Simon) - Great Bond theme! (1997)
Scar Tissue (Red Hot Chili Peppers) - Was it really this long ago?! (1999)
Careless Whisper (George Michael) - One for the ladies... erm... RIP George (1984)
Your Love Gets Sweeter Everyday (Finlay Quaye) - Lovely song, so simple! (1998)
One Hand in My Pocket (Alanis Morissette) - Single from Jagged Little Pill (1995)
Kiss (Prince) - You don't have to be beautiful... (1986)
I'm Still Standing (Elton John) - Yeah yeah, yeah... (1983)
Man in the Mirror (Michael Jackson) - I'm gonna make that chaange, chaamone! (1988)
Boyz of Summer (Don Henley) - Absolute classic 80's! (1984)
50's, 60's, 70's
Isn't She Lovely (Stevie Wonder) - Isn't She Lovely (Stevie Wonder) - From the classic album Songs in the Key of Life (1976) (1976)
Teenage Kicks (The Undertones) - Hard to beat (1978)
California Dreamin' (Mamas & Papas) - Classic pop from (1965) #89 in Rolling Stone's list of 'The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time'
It's Not Unusual (Tom Jones) - Originally intended for Sandie Shaw, recorded by a then-unknown Tom Jones (1965)
Take Five (Dave Brubeck) - Best-selling jazz single of all time (1959)
Redemption Song (Bob Marley) - "Old pirates yes they rob I, sold I to the merchant ships" (1979)
Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd) - Classic Pink Floyd anthem from album of the same name (1975)
Breathe/Time (Pink Floyd) - From Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (Carole King) - Covered multiple times, from the album 'Tapestry' (1971)
Fly Me to the Moon (Frank Sinatra) - first recorded in 1954, best-known version by Sinatra ten years later
Move on Up (Curtis Mayfield) - Originally released 1970, sampled by Kanye West in 2006
Let's Stay Together (Al Green) - 60th greatest song of all time according to Rolling Stone (1971)
Albatross (Peter Green) - Instrumental, famously used by Marks & Spencer in TV ads (1968)
Layla (Eric Clapton) - Guitar anthem released under Derek and the Dominos (1970)
September (Earth, Wind & Fire) - Disco classic! (1978)
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) - Motown classic, perfect for the recessional (1967)
All Along the Watchtower (Jimi Hendrix) - One of his best-known masterpieces, a Bob Dylan cover (1965)
Life on Mars (David Bowie) - Songwriting genius, and a real challenge to play (1971)
Is This Love? (Bob Marley) - Beautiful song, great for register signings and pre-ceremony (1978)
In My Life (Beatles) - The less obvious, understated Beatles choice from Rubber Soul (1965)
Highway to Hell (ACDC) - Classic rock! (1979)
You've Got a Friend (James Taylor) - Best known version of this Carole King song (1971)
Black Magic Woman (Peter Green/Santana) - Classic blues from Peter Green (1968), made famous by Santana (1970)
Jessica (Allman Brothers) - Theme tune to TV's top gear (1971)
God Only Knows (Beach Boys) - Brian Wilson & Co. at their finest (1966)
The Girl from Ipanema (Antônio Carlos Jobim) - The full Brazilian (1963)
Teenage Kicks (Undertones) - Right through the night (1978)
TV & Movie Themes
Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Rocky, Superman, ET, Top Gun, Jurassic Park, Last of the Mohicans, Match of the Day...
Other various
I can also play the traditional Bridal Chorus 'Here Comes the Bride' by Wagner and Pachelbel's Canon.
The above selection is based on the most obvious, popular choices across pop, jazz and rock - I can play other bits and pieces by artists such as Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Flight of the Conchords, Foo Fighters, Radiohead and even Rage Against the Machine with a bit of prior notice! I'm very open to learning quirky versions of songs so don't be afraid to ask. Film themes such as Indiana Jones, Rocky, Top Gun and Star Wars are always popular!
No - I work entirely on (rechargeable) batteries. It's always nice to play outside if the weather allows!
NB Some venues are restricted by a live music license/amplified music restrictions/PAT - however because I don't use mains power this should not be a problem. If in doubt, refer the venue directly to me.
NB. I DO need to use my small portable amp to perform.
Perez 630CE electro-classical guitar, Jim Dunlop Jazz III picks, D'Addario Pro Arté nylon strings, Roland AC-33 amp, Boss RC-500 loop pedal (previously RC-2), Cleartone cables and Eneloop Pro rechargeable AA batteries. I take care to be as environmentally responsible as possible in terms of both travel and equipment.
I am currently based in Buckinghamshire and regularly work across the following counties: Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Essex, Suffolk, Surrey, Kent, Berkshire, Oxfordshire. I have easy train access to central London and the surrounding area. I am able to offer a competitive rate for overseas bookings.
Yes I will be smartly presented in suitable wedding attire (waistcoat in summer) unless otherwise agreed beforehand. I have a similar standard outfit for corporate events, and can be adaptable with advanced notice.
Perhaps best described as classical/blues crossover, I am not from a classical background nor am I 'classically trained'. I played in various rock and funk bands until developing a kind of 'pseudo' contemporary classical style over several years. What sets me apart from other performers in my category is that I incorporate a lot of live improvisation into my performance and am able to adapt each piece according to the circumstances. Classical fingerstyle with jazz-blues soloing makes for a unique combination, and I do like to add an element of subtle humour with some surprise song choices ?
I've had no formal musical training and don't read music - it's all done 'by ear' and memory. Improvisation is a key feature in my performance, tailored to the atmosphere and requirements of the situation.
Set up: 30 minutes
Yes, but be aware that this will incur a small supplementary charge in most cases.
Armless chair/short stool, parking space and suitable refreshments/meal if at all possible - a private room to change is helpful but not essential. Please also let me know if there will be any professional videographers*, and if I'll need to set up in more than one place.
*This is handy to know in advance, as I can often supply them with MP3s to use and helps decide where best to set up on the day
Typically 90-120 mins in total is recommended, and is usually enough to cover ceremony/drinks reception although I can cover up to 3hrs with appropriate breaks if absolutely necessary.
Well, good old England likes to throw a curveball or two when it comes to changeable conditions; fortunately I can move relatively quickly if a shower moves in and can setup indoors or outdoors without the need for mains power. In the event of a heatwave, hopefully, there will be sufficient shade (and cold beer) available!
Rolex
GlaxoSmithKline
Dorchester Hotel
Malcesine Castle
Pennsylvania Castle
River Cottage
Ford
Illumina
Cambridge University
Hilton
Hyatt Regency
Mercure
Best Western Hotels
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