PAUL VERNON CHESTER

Manouche Maestro
 

Introducing Paul Vernon Chester

Information for Promoters

We introduce you to the prodigious musical talent of Paul Vernon Chester who is well respected on the International Platform as a Performer of the intricate skills of Manouche Jazz and a devotee of Django Reinhardt and his musical legacy.  Paul is at the peak of his powers and can hold an audience spellbound with his anecdotes and his dexterity as a Guitarist - and supported by his lifetime collaborator Rhythm Guitarist Nick Mellor

Paul Vernon Chester Video

Video of Paul in Action @ Concert Jazz Thame 14/03/07

Video of Nick in Action @ Concert Jazz in Thame 14/03/07

The Man
Paul Vernon Chester is a phenomenal Artist and Composer having begun playing guitar as an infant and emulating his hero Django Reinhardt over a lifetime of hard but rewarding effort.  He has now reached the peak of his powers and is truly World Class as a performer of the Manouche Swing  or Gypsy Jazz Genre.  He can hold an audience in silent rapture as he demonstrates his intricate and amazing skills on acoustic guitar.  He delivers both tender emotional interpretations on ballads and a driving attack on up tempo numbers; both worthy of his mentor.  Standing ovations are the norm and results in an audience that is most reluctant to leave.  The Manouche Maestro and has also earned huge respect from his fellow musicians in this genre.

The Music
His style of Music and composition transcends all barriers and appeals to very wide audiences indeed, Folk, Jazz, Swing, Nostalgia, etc and he entertains magnificently in the true tradition of an itinerant Master Musician with an intimate contact ability.  This is acoustic music without digital trickery, as with all great traditional music, it is very high art, and the European flavour of the Manouche Gypsy Jazz sound is readily identifiable to the aficionados.  Whilst based in the jazz tradition the infectious enthusiastic format appeals to anyone who enjoys a live music performance.  We encourage you to view his live videos for a brief introduction to this large reservoir of home grown talent.  His repertoire is very extensive and this hard working duo delivers considerable value and he provides entertaining anecdotes when introducing the individual compositions.

The Duo
Paul is ably supported by his cousin Nick Mellor who paralleled him in his interests in music as a child and now plays Rhythm Guitar along side him as his lifetime collaborator sensing every nuance and direction that Paul takes when improvising on a chord structure.  The duo can be augmented by adding Violin and Bass to give a more varied and fuller sound for any larger Venues subject to the available budget.

The 'Hot Club' Quartet
Invoke the original 11930-40's Paris Cafe sound with the addition of -
John Vickers - Upright Bass
John has been performing jazz & bluegrass for over thirty years. An experienced luthier, He also runs his own home-based recording studio in Cheltenham.
Heulwen Thomas - Violin
A classically trained violinist and music teacher who has turned her passions to the art of jazz violin and improvisation. She is a regular performer of gypsy jazz, appearing at many festivals including Brecon, Pontypool, Brecon, Rhondda, Treorchy and the Kinsale Jazz Festival in Ireland. She has even had the honour of jamming with the great French gypsy guitarist Moreno.

The Costs
Paul commands a reasonable fee for the duo for 2 x 45 min sets - all subject to location - this sum may vary if there is need for overnight accommodation.  Your booking will inevitably result in public demand for his urgent return to your Venue or Festival.

The Media
Paul has a number of CD’s on offer and is presently busy composing and producing more. He sponsors Manouche Guitars of Cheltenham which are very fine acoustic instruments and are likely to of direct interest to any aspiring guitar players in your audience  Assistance is also offered with poster design and publicity subject to venue location.  Press publicity and Website support is guaranteed.

The Requirements
Paul’s needs for a great performance are simple - just quality mic’s arranged strategically to capture his acoustic instruments and Stage announcements.  Professional Sound Engineering support is available if required. More information on these matters are listed on his website

The Workshops
Moreover, we advise you the possibility to scale a full immersion workshop about Manouche Rhythm or Solo Improvisation techniques prior to the evening concert.  It can be conducted in several ways:
- the day of the concert, both in the morning and in the afternoon, and a jam session prior to the concert
- together with two to three concerts, if the Venue is in the same place, at the same conditions
- an afternoon and pre concert jam session in an established Venue, followed by a  "Virtuosi" Concert in a theatre and or a final show for the "students", either in the rooms of the hosting school or venue.

The Contact
Email reply for bookings, further discourse, and availability.
Tel 01844 353117 am/evenings or leave message.
Or 0788 656 2133 daytime.

Give his videos a 'viewing' and marvel at his ability - and he is more captivating when you hear and see his presence and charisma in the flesh.  Paul is not inexpensive to book but he is certainly excellent value and would clearly reward the audience with a magnificent  productive performance.

The Sound
Paul can enrapture an audience with little more than his guitars and suitable mic' setups.
His Manouche Guitars sound better if these are mic'd up separately  for both Soloist and Rhythm Guitars.
Essentially 2 mic's and an announcing mic all on booms the latter should be easily swung away or switched so that Paul's guitar technique can be observed more readily by the audience.
Piezo pickups are present and can be fed with leads to a mixing desk - but the sound is not so bright or so warm.

Anouman - composed by Django - a reflective and beautiful slow tempo number.

After Your Gone complete with mid flight apology for a chance string break as a result of Paul's relentless attack on his guitar

Venues and Capacities.
We need approximately 85 in the audience to justify the overheads and fees for most Venues.

Recent Appearances

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  Featuring recorded repertoire from - 'Duets for Django' Voted Musician of the Year 2008 by the Stafford Jazz Society and Paul is proud of this award

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

Bridgwater Arts Centre - 2nd June 2007
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. 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

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.

Birmingham Jazz festival - 2006

L'Esprit Manouche 2004

Lighting
Simple spotlighting adequate for 2 musicians and some colour side lighting for warmth and background.

Stage
Raised Dais or full Stage with a minimum of  3.6 x 3.0 metres for guitars and stands etc

Ventilation
Some air movement is necessary to cool the musicians as the concentration and heat from lights induces discomfort if absent.

Other Basic Requirements

• Good Acoustics
• Audience of 80 upwards and seats with good viewing angles.
• Reasonable parking within reach of the Venue
• Free refreshments during performances
• Sound Booth - sound balance with on mixing desk for good sound distribution, booth monitoring but no unofficial recordings without express permission
• Professional Lighting with Control desk where possible
• Backstage facilities for musicians and small rehearsal area, free seating for travelling entourage .

Additional facilities may include High Quality recording of Live performances on prestige events

Disciplines to be Observed

• Entry for band normally from 7pm on the Night.  Earlier by arrangement if any impromptu rehearsal time is required

• Exit Time - we will remove all instruments quickly and move cars to town centre before going for any late sustenance.

• Only 3 mic set-up ( 2 Booms for Guitars and Announcing Mic (switched - on stage)

Address
Full address Maps and parking advice to be given on confirmation of booking

Contact
Home 01844 353117 - Mobile 0778 656 2133
ring or TEXT your contact details

Promoters email your details (Click Here)

Our Mission
Presentation of high quality music of an Instrumental form is our forte and to promote a wide choice performances in order to encourage ongoing music events at your Venue for not only Jazz Lovers but general musical interest for this broadly appealing format.

Manouche Guitar Workshops

Guitar Workshops function well in conjunction with a Performance.
Talk to us about the possibilities.
The Artists know best what they can do and what works, and who the potential participants are.  Workshops will give local people a chance to participate. They will educate, encourage involvement, raise awareness and be fun.  They require good planning, preparation and evaluation.  If the workshop is combined with an event, it will encourage new people to come along to the performance (offer a joint ticket with entry to the main performance).  You are assured of a good audience, timid people may well feel encouraged to come to another post concert workshop the next day.  It's a brilliant idea and reaches so many people - with excellent professional teacher-performers and a great chance to meet them in person.  We can also attach a short talk to the main event. Get the audience to come a little early to talk to the Maestro or stay behind to meet the fellow Artists in person.
Master Classes

Well you have seen the quality of the Website, the Artists – and perhaps heard and viewed the standards.  We can do a deal on a shared risk/promotion basis subject to discussion after expenses and try to get a full house by mutual publicity.  We can discuss and advise on entrance fees  - considering all risks.  Most of our audience is are attentive mature listeners or enthusiastic performers or Music Students Concession rates normally apply to under 18yrs or over 60 's - bless em.  That's what its all about Guy's it is no Musicians Charter - be reasonable and practical if you wish to fill the Venue.  Give us the chance to perform and we will work our butts off for you the Promoter to secure and satisfy that ever elusive Audience! 

Ask not what a this Musician can do for you,  .
......but what you can do for this Virtuoso to assist him to deliver you a first class performance!

Advice on Local Facilities for Food & Refreshments would be welcome-

  Musicians Union

PRS Foundation 

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Last modified: 27/02/2010