Clive Carroll makes a double appearance on Saturday

Guitar phenomenon Clive Carroll’s masterful compositions, coupled with his versatility and unparalleled technical virtuosity, have rendered him one of today’s most admired and respected guitarists.

Clive began his musical journey playing a homemade banjo in the family band. By his early teens Clive was traversing the worlds of soul, pop, funk and traditional Irish music, balancing his affinity for Slayer with the etudes of Tárrega. This breadth of musical curiosity was to become one of his strengths; even as a child Clive was as comfortable accompanying a group of folk singers as he was jamming along to Nirvana or performing standards with the Essex Youth Orchestra.

Clive went on to earn a 1st Class Honours Degree in Composition and Guitar from the famed Trinity College of Music in London, all the while balancing his classical work with forays into the world of the steel string guitar. By the time he graduated from Trinity, Clive had not only penned orchestral works, he had a written an album’s worth of solo acoustic guitar music. A chance meeting with English guitar legend John Renbourn proved the catalyst for Clive’s debut album, “Sixth Sense”, which Renbourn deemed “a milestone in the journey of the steel-string guitar”. He subsequently took Clive on the road with him and the pair toured North America and Europe together, thus launching Clive’s solo performing career.

Since then, Clive has established himself as one of the world’s premier acoustic guitar players. He has toured across Europe, Australia, the Middle East and North America, garnering praise for his sublime performances of everything from 16th and 17th century lute music to Jazz standards, Blues, Irish reels and his own ground breaking compositions. Lauded guitarist Tommy Emmanuel has also taken Clive on the road with him and similar nods to Clive’s musicianship have been given by everyone from classical guitarist John Williams to Madonna, Guy Ritchie, Michelin award-winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and the Sultanate of Oman.

In addition to Clive’s three solo albums – “Sixth Sense”, “The Red Guitar” (which Tommy Emmanuel cites as one of his desert island discs!) and “Life in Colour” – Clive has written music for television and film. He notably composed the music for the film “Driving Lessons”, which features Julie Walters and Rupert Grint of Harry Potter fame. Clive newest CD, “The Furthest Tree”, was released in May 2016 and is already being hailed as some of his finest work to date.

Clive will be appearing on our Main Stage and conducting a masterclass on Saturday 10 September, don’t miss the chance to learn from and see this great guitarist perform. Clive will also be conducting a meet and greet and album signing during the day, this is an opportunity not to be missed!

Advance tickets are available now, book online or call 01926 339 808 to buy yours now.