Born
in 1951,Piers Clark began teaching himself the guitar at age 12. He initially
played acoustic Blues and early Country music, then, after hearing Charlie
Christian on a Benny Goodman record, he discovered Jazz. He became a
professional musician in 1987 and soon began to specialise in acoustic Rhythm
guitar playing in the style of George Van Eps,
Allan Reuss, Steve Jordan and
Freddie Green. He has since accompanied many American and British musicians
including; Scott
Hamilton, Enrico
Tomasso, John Barnes, Kenny
Davern,
Diz
Disley,
Bobby Wellins, Stacey
Kent,
Vince Giordano, Ken Peplowski, Dave
Shepherd, Mike
Piggott,
Keith Nichols and, in his opinion, the greatest living
Rhythm guitar player, Marty
Grosz.
He has also played with Martin
Wheatleys' Arcadians and Paul Laceys' Back
to Basie Orchestra. To date he has recorded 4 C.D.'s (details
on the albums page) "Blues, Boogies and Rags" (solo acoustic Blues
and Ragtime guitar), "Strohlin' and Stumblin" (duets with violinist Mike
Piggott),
"Jason Henson and Piers Clark" (acoustic Jazz guitar duets) and
"The Priory St. Stardusters" (a 5 piece group playing songs and
instrumentals from the 1930s and 40s.) He teaches fingerpicking Blues guitar and
Jazz Rhythm guitar on a one to one basis and also runs a Jazz Workshop, (for all
instruments) bi weekly in Lewes Sussex. He can be contacted on
01273271076, or
Email piersclark@talktalk.net