PAUL VERNON CHESTER

Manouche Maestro
 

Paul's Past Concert Highlights

Jazz Club 90
The Harp Hotel, Albrighton, Shropshire. -Tuesday, 5th February 2008.
http://www.jazzclub90.supanet.com/#Programme
I have a habit of booking musicians I have never seen and then keeping my fingers crossed that all will be well! Tonight was one of those occasions as we had Paul Vernon Chester and Nick Mellor playing their "Duets for Django". Paul and Nick sounded very good on their website  and turned out to be brilliant "in the flesh"!   Lead guitarist Paul seemed to have ten fingers on each hand at times and rhythm man Nick kept immaculate time and complemented Paul's virtuosity with his very solid rhythm. The biggest compliment I can give two brilliant musicians is that they kept the Harp audience quieter than almost any other band we have had in!
Numbers from "Lover Man" to Greig's "Norwegian Dance" (jazzed up a bit), Django's "Hotel Claridge" to "Girl from Ipanema" and the inevitable "Minor Swing" and "Nuages" were just a few of their repertoire which enchanted the audience for two and a half hours. Quite brilliant!
We hope to have Paul and Nick back later in the year. - John Howell

14th March 07 - Concert Jazz in Thame Oxon
Audience Appreciation.
Great gig much enjoyed by all - Ade

Great gig last night.  Thoroughly enjoyed it. Jill

We thought last night's gig was absolutely fantastic!    Well done you for getting such a magnificent duo to Thame....thank you so much.   We wondered whether a recording was being made of the event, and if so, will it eventually be for sale, and by whom?   We bought two CD's last night, but would love to have a 'live' one in our collection - Trude & Bernard

The concert last night was outstanding. Paul was such an unassuming guy but an incredible artist.  We were all in awe of the performance and technical ability of the musician  - you should be justly proud of presenting Jazz concerts of this quality; thank you.  Tim bought me one of the CDs and I've just listened to it and want to  find other CDs produced by Paul.  -  Sheila

just to say we really enjoyed the gig, has he ever played with Christian Garrick?  That would be awesome!  Salutations, Jules.

News

The Lichfield Garrick has posted some nice publicity on their website and brochures, which we might be able to post 'first hand' on this site, link is up-and-running. 

Paul is hoping to get to Samois sur Seine - Django Festival this year and again we will keep you posted.

Bridgwater Arts Centre. 11-13 Castle Street, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 3DD  
Sat 2 June 2007
"AN EVENING OF GYPSY & HOT CLUB JAZZ"

Featuring guitarists Paul Vernon Chester and Nick Mellor. 21st Century heir to the Django Reinhardt legacy, Paul’s compositions, once heard, are never forgotten! From high octane rhythms to super melodies, he was born with the tingle factor!
Feast your emotions. Hearing is believing.

Having been to my first Paul Vernon Chester concert in June of this year at the Arts Centre at Bridgwater in deepest Somerset, I would be very interested in being kept informed as and when Paul is performing around this area.   He said he would be looking forward to coming back here and after his (and Nicks) spellbinding performance, I look forward to their return visit.     It's good to see he has released another CD, which I have requested as a Xmas present from one of my children.   You could have made a fine double CD from his programme that evening in June. - faithful fan, David Hatch.  

Press Comment

A FAST-FINGERED night of gypsy and hot club jazz was brilliantly executed at Bridgwater Arts Centre last Saturday (2nd June 07).

Raising money for Penrose School, Roger Collett presented guitarists Paul Vernon Chester and his cousin Nick Mellor who took the audience back to 1930s Paris through some exceptional musicianship. Feet were tapping in the packed arts centre after the opening few bars of I Can't Give You Anything But Love, only stopping for the exquisite ballads and injections of stories about their musical icon, Django Reinhardt.

The impact of Django runs deep through modern guitar, his music influenced many performers from Dire Strait's Mark Knopfler to blues legend BB King but it is Paul and Nick that claim to be the 21st century heirs of his legacy. And it is understandable why - the dedication they showed through the night was fascinating to watch, the detail and accuracy in every number was captivating.

Moulding classical music into a light and delicate sound and putting well-known songs though a hot club jazz interpretation, Paul and Nick produced a set of unadulterated music that celebrated life and love.  During the night, they performed tracks including Nuages, Douce Ambiance, the hauntingly beautiful Anouman and the brilliant gypsy anthem Minor Swing, each with total passion and commitment to the music they have taken on as their own.

I sometimes find jazz difficult to listen to, but this was approachable and accessible music, light-hearted and fun - a real joy to take in.

The drive from rhythm guitarist Nick against the intricate - although seemingly easy - determination from Paul, made the set of colourful, emotional music an absolute success!!

The Stafford Jazz Society on 27th April, 08
12.30-2.30pm ( Sunday lunchtime)
Stafford Rangers F. C. Social Club. Marston Road, Stafford
Stafford  Jazz

Voted Musician of the Year 2008 by the Stafford Jazz Society and Paul will collect his award  Sunday 15th June {next gig there - 22nd March 2009). 

featuring recorded repertoire from - 'Duets for Django'
Contact Paul if you wish to order copies of this CD Click Here

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Last modified: 25/04/2008