PAUL VERNON CHESTER

Manouche Maestro

Maurice J Summerfield 1940-
- Jazz Guitarist & Author

Maurice Summerfield was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, 4 February 1940. He played the guitar professionally in diverse jazz groups and dance bands in his late teens and early twenties. His interest in music, and in particular the guitar, encouraged him in 1963 to introduce a range of musical instruments into the range of goods imported by the Summerfield family business (founded 1900). He had joined the company in 1958. Since that time Summerfield Musical Instruments have become one of the most prominent importers and distributors of musical instruments in the United Kingdom. Particular emphasis is given by the company to the guitar and other fretted instruments and accessories. During his long association with several leading international guitar makers Maurice Summerfield instigated the production of some important guitar models including authentic reproductions of the original 1930s Maccaferri/Selmer guitars used by Django Reinhardt. For over 38 years he was a council member of the UK's Music Industries Association (MIA-formerly AMII and then AMI) general committee. In July 1997 he was elected to the Freedom of the Worshipful Company of Musicians (Musicians Livery Comany) and in December 1997 he received the Freedom of the City of London. In October 2003 he was elected to serve on the Court of City of London Musicians Livery  Company and will be installed as its Master in November 2009.

Maurice Summerfield retains a vital interest in music and the guitar. In 1978 he established a guitar book, music and recording mail order business www.FretsOnly.com for all styles of guitar playing, which now supplies over 6000 titles to guitarists in over 80 countries. In 1981 he founded 'Guitar Masters Records', a company producing quality guitar recordings under his personal supervision. In September 1982 he founded 'Classical Guitar' magazine, now acknowledged internationally to be the finest of its type. His company has actively promoted concerts (including an annual series at the Wigmore Hall in London) and clinics by many famous jazz and classical guitarists including Barney Kessel, Joe Pass, Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow, Charlie Byrd, Martin Taylor, David Russell, Juan Martin and by many guitarists from other fields of music including ragtime and blues.

Impromptu jam session pose on the Summerfield stand at the British Music Fair, London c. 1976. Left to right: 
Louis Gallo with CSL D Gypsy {sales tag still attached), Ray Gallo (playing an oval sound hole CSL Gypsy),
Ike Isaacs and Maurice Summerfield on cutaway Electric Ibanez models.

Maurice Summerfield is the Author of three critically acclaimed books - The Classical Guitar - Its Evolution, Players & Personalities Since 1800, first published in the United Kingdom in 1982, and now in its fifth edition,  The Jazz Guitar - Its Evolution, Players & Personalities Since 1900, first published in the United Kingdom in 1978, and now in its fourth edition and Barney Kessel - A Jazz Legend published in October 2008.

Maurice in his own Words

For jazz guitar fans... Newcastle resident Maurice J. Summerfield has written and published what may well be the definitive biography of his long-time friend the late, legendary guitarist, Barney Kessel. "Barney Kessel - A Jazz Legend'', with a foreword by Howard Alden, is published by Maurice's company, Ashley Mark Publishing.

CONTENTS:
Its Evolution
Its Players & Personalities
The Other Jazz Guitarists
Its Instrument Makers
A Photo Gallery of Archtop Guitars
Sources of Information and Supply
Index

The Jazz Guitar: Its Evolution, Players
and Personalities Since 1900
Although many books have been written on the subject of jazz, the first edition of this book was the first to cover in a definitive way the guitar’s role in jazz. Maurice Summerfield has for over thirty-eight years played, listened to and studied the jazz guitar. The main part of this book is devoted to over 300 detailed biographies of the major jazz guitarists since 1900. Through these, and the chapter devoted to its evolution, the reader can gain a full and clear picture of the guitar’s development and role in jazz since the beginning of this century. The collection of photographs of jazz guitarists in this book is the finest and most complete ever included in one volume. Added to this, every important jazz guitar recording is listed. A general chapter is included on the instruments used by jazz guitarists. The final section of the book; ‘Sources of Information and Supply’ ensures that nearly every recording, book and piece of music can be obtained by the reader. ‘The Jazz Guitar’ by Maurice J. Summerfield is an absolute must for jazz lovers and guitarists alike.

Who's Who of "The Classical Guitar Book" By Maurice J. Summerfield
01 February 2006

Fifth edition of Maurice J. Summerfield's highly acclaimed ultimate reference book on the classical guitar. This brand new book features all the original biographical entries updated with new photographs where applicable, plus 100 new biographical entries in the players, composers and makers section - for a total of over 485. This new edition gives the reader a full and clear picture of the classical guitar's development since the beginning of the nineteenth century. Also included are informative sections on composers, scholars, flamenco guitarists and guitar makers. The book's collection of several hundred photographs is the most complete to be published in one volume. There are extensive listings of the most important classical guitar recordings. The final section, Sources of Supply, guides readers to where they can obtain the books, recordings, music and magazines listed in the book. Without a doubt, this new edition will be the essential work of reference on the subject of classical guitar for years to come! "My sincere congratulations to Maurice Summerfield"- Andres Segovia

http://www.ashleymark.co.uk/
Ashley Mark Publishing Company, 1 & 2 Vance Court, Trans Britannia Enterprise Park, Blaydon on Tyne NE21 5NH, UK.

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Last modified: 25/08/2010