PAUL
VERNON CHESTER
Manouche Maestro
|
Manouche Maestro |
 
|
Ivor Mairants Jazz & Classical Guitarist 1908-98
Ivor with Epiphone Masterbuilt Emperor Acoustic Guitar
Top Row
-was well known throughout the world to guitarists of all styles. After over 50 years as a professional guitarist, teacher, composer and leading UK musical instrument retailer, he devoted the last few years of his life to composing and writing for the guitar. Born in 1908 in Rypin, Poland. Ivor Mairants came with his family to the United Kingdom in 1913. He took up the banjo at the age of 15 and became a professional musician at the age of 20. From the 1930's he was a featured banjoist and then guitarist of many of Britain's leading dance bands including those of Ambrose, Roy Fox, Lew Stone, Geraldo and Ted Heath. In the 1960's and 1970's his outstanding guitar playing was often heard on television, radio, film soundtracks. His recording of the 'Adagio' from Joaquin Rodrigo's 'Concierto de Aranjuez' with Manuel sold over one million copies. His guitar quintet broadcast regularly in the late 1950's on the BBC's 'Guitar Club' series with Ken Sykora as compere.
His flamenco guitar method has for many years been a bestseller all over the world. His many other solo and technique books for all styles of guitar playing, from publishers both in the UK and USA, have enjoyed great success.
The Ivor Mairants Music Centre became a Mecca for professional guitarists, and for amateur guitarists at all levels of ability. Although the store was sold in recent times to one of the UK's major instrument distributors, it still bears his name. Because of his unique knowledge and music skills, Ivor Mairants was over the years often employed as a specialist consultant for leading instrument makers and importers.
Ivor Mairants with Gibson L-5CES Guitar that later replaced his beloved Epiphone Emporer. The Tailpiece has an engraved name similar to the Wes Montgomery Guitar.
The Story of Supersound UK Amplifier
|
|
|
IVOR
MAIRANTS 
Of particular importance
to guitarists is the fact that Ivor Mairants devoted so much of his time
to writing music and instructional methods for the guitar. 
Ivor
Mairants made a unique and outstanding contribution to the world of guitar in
Britain. Over the past 50 years, there can be few British guitarists who have
not benefited from this contribution. he was a member of the Worshipful Society
of Musicians, a prestigious and ancient British Guild, and a Freeman of the
City
of London. In 1997 the Worshipful Society of Musicians inaugurated a new annual
competition the Ivor Mairants Guitar Award, which will remain an important part
of the enormous legacy this irreplaceable figure has left for future generations
of guitarists. Ivor Mairants - Born 18 July 1908, Rypin, Poland. Died 20
February 1998, London, UK.
From the 1930's Ivor
Mairants was a prolific columnist in several leading music journals
including Melody Maker, BMG and Classical guitar. In 1980 his highly
acclaimed biography 'My Fifty Fretting Years' was published by
Ashley
Mark Publishing in the UK, and in 1995 his marvellous opus,
