NIGEL CLARK: In Concert Live from Scotland

This Arkadia Records live concert recording entitled “Nigel Clark in Concert: Live from Scotland” (The DVD version is also packaged with a full length CD), features Nigel Clark, the stunning guitarist from Glasgow, Scotland. Blended with the silky sound of the nylon strings and spiced with tinges of flamenco, Brazilian, Indian and other world music, Clark creates a new hybrid in the jazz melting-pot. The result is a truly contemporary conception.

“Clark is a facilitator of fine jazz music via his awe inspiring technique, graceful mode of execution and mood evoking sensibilities.” – Glenn Astarita, All About Jazz

The Scottish native has worked with some of the biggest names in music throughout his career and has toured the world as a leader, sideman and accompanist. As arranger and guitarist for the Jazz/Pop band Hue & Cry, Clark performed as an opening act for arena rock artists such as U2, Madonna and Simply Red, and performed with some of the biggest names in Jazz, such as Ron Carter, John Scofield, Michael and Randy Brecker and Tito Puente.

Nigel’s visibility in the pop world has led to high profile collaborations with Maire Brennan (the singer with Clannad and older sister of Enya), Scottish singer-songwriter Carol Kidd, and ultimately to the formation of his own acoustic Jazz group and album, “Worldwide Sound”, which climbed to #4 on the UK charts.

All in all, Nigel’s career has seen the stadium heights of pop stardom and the rewards of intimate Jazz venues. He has chosen the latter, preferring the quiet candle flame displayed on “Nigel Clark in Concert: Live from Scotland ” over the roar of Bic lighters. The reasons are purely artistic, and hearing is believing.

This live concert CD features Nigel Clark’s distinctive amalgamation of Gypsy, Jazz, and Latin music. Spiced with tinges of flamenco, Brazilian, Indian and other world music, the guitar guru creates a truly contemporary conception, deeply planted in traditional roots.

Song Selection:

1. Impressions	J. Coltrane	3:58
2. Grand Hotel Europa	N. Clark	6:55
3. Once I Loved	A.C. Jobim	7:51
4. East of the Sun	Brooks/Bowman	4:50
5. Revelations	C. Santana	4:15
6. In Another Moment	N. Clark	6:51
7. Sakura Samba	N. Clark	5:57
8. How Deep is the Ocean	I. Berlin	4:34
9. Samba Pa Ti	C. Santana	7:25

Nigel Clark: Nylon string guitar
Ewan Vernal: Bass
Mike Bradley: Drums

Produced by: Nigel Clark
Executive Producer: Bob Karcy

About Nigel Clark:

Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1957, Nigel was drawn to the guitar in the early 70s, along with the rest of his generation. Influenced by the rock music of the day, Nigel was also exposed to the gypsy genius Django Reinhardt, who made a big impression. His natural talent was honed on many tours through the highlands, the UK, France, Holland, Germany and others, playing fusion, Celtic Rock and with Gaelic singers.

In 1987, Nigel joined the jazz/pop band Hue and Cry, opening for such arena rock artists U2, Madonna and Simply Red. The band also employed some of the biggest names in jazz on their recordings–Ron Carter, John Scofield, Tito Puente, Michael and Randy Brecker, to name a few. Treading the line between pop and jazz, the band occupied an artistic triumph that is rarely reached: crossing over. Nigel’s visibility in the pop world led to high profile collaborations with Maire Brennan (the singer with Clannad and older sister of Enya), singer-songwriter Carol Laula, and started a lasting musical connection with legendary Scottish vocalist Carol Kidd.

In the 90’s, Nigel performed with Carla Bley and Steve Swallow at the Glasgow International Jazz Festival, appeared with Jan Akkerman and Spanish guitarist Ximo Tebar at the North Sea Jazz Festival, and in Cannes, performed with Akkerman and Norwegian Terje Rypdal, and with a big band that featured 11 guitarists! The decade also marked adoption of the nylon string guitar as his primary instrument. The Spanish guitar engaged Nigel’s imagination, and set forth a multitude of artistic possibilities for the instrument, which ranged from the Brazilian style to the gypsy tinged sounds that were laid early in Nigel’s mind through the influence of Django Reinhardt.

The 11 guitar spectacle in Cannes was witnessed by Arkadia CEO Bob Karcy, who was immediately struck by Nigel’s deft playing. Karcy remembers “Nigel’s fluid, improvised lines and note selections were so natural? I was very impressed, and he stood out from all the other guitarists.” Over the next several years, the two kept in contact, ultimately leading to an exclusive recording contract with Arkadia Records.

So far, Nigel has recorded two highly acclaimed albums for Arkadia Records. The first was “Grand Hotel Europa”, followed by “Nigel Clark in Concert: Live from Scotland”, which is available as a set with both a DVD and CD.