Jerry Bird
Solo Acoustic Guitarist

Jerry Bird has been a fiddle player with various folk bands for more years than he cares to remember. In the last few years he has been developing his guitar technique and now has a large repertoire of airs and dance tunes from England, Scotland, Ireland and Brittany, including many composed in the ‘Irish Baroque’ style by the blind Irish harp player Turlough O’Carolan in the 18th century.

The tunes range from the medieval period through to the present day with occasional improvisations based around traditional tunes and one or two original compositions. He plays so-called ‘fingerstyle guitar’, using unorthodox guitar tunings that increase the scope of the instrument and enable the open strings to ‘ring out’ in a similar manner to the folk harp, for which many of the tunes were originally composed. In performances he uses both classical and folk instruments, bringing depth and variety to the sound.

Most of his repertoire is based on folk and early music but for cafe or wine bar audiences he may introduce a little 'cool jazz' for variety, or perhaps some popular tunes such as Angie, Summertime or Classical Gas, which always go down well on such occasions.

see also:

5th Quarter

Gerald of Weston

Fingerz 'n' Fretz

Jerry also plays in the following regular sessions:

Every 1st Wednesday of the month at the Blue Raddle, Dorchester (as part of Fingerz 'n' Fretz)

Every 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Brewers Arms, Martinstown (as part of Fingerz 'n' Fretz)

2009/10 Gigs

Thursday 15 October, Dorchester Town Promotion Group open evening, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester 5pm

Sunday 18th October private function at Kingston Maurward College nr Dorchester, Dorset

Saturday 16th January charity Blues & Folk Day at Tom Brown's, Dorchester, Dorset

Saturday 1st May private function, Bristol (tbc)

Track now playing:

King of the Faeries (Traditional)

Bookings

Jerry is available for concerts, weddings, banquets and corporate entertainments. His unique playing has entertained audiences in venues as various as Conway Hall London, Hailsham Pavilion, Eastbourne Arts Centre, The Tower Arts Centre Winchester, Chantmarle House and Dorchester Corn Exchange.

Jerry is happy to play acoustically for small, intimate events, or with a professional p.a. system for larger venues. For potential customers a CD of Celtic tunes is available free on request. His laid back, romantic guitar style makes ideal background accompaniment to wedding feasts, banquets and other events.

All equipment is PATS tested and public liability insurance is provided.

Guitar Lessons

Jerry is a member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors and has occasionally conducted guitar workshops at festivals and other musical events. He is available to give one-to-one guitar lessons at his home close to Dorchester and is able to teach the RGT/ London College of Music acoustic guitar syllabus to grade 8 standard.

He is also able to teach folk fiddle, music theory, arrangement and composition, and can tutor in the use of the Noteworthy Composer music writing and editing program.

Beginners are, however, welcome, and lessons are tailored to suit individual requirements.

Telephone 01305 880150

jerry@chesilpromotions.co.uk

Celtic Guitar CD

‘The sleeve notes describe this lovely collection of traditional tunes as “beautiful, haunting, romantic” and they are…all of these things … my only complaint is there aren’t enough of them. Having listened to the CD, I listened to it again and again …it’s beautiful. This is a short taster of Jerry Bird’s ‘Celtic Guitar’ style and will prompt fans to pester him for a longer version. Jerry has transposed some of the C18th Irish harpist Turlough Carolan’s tunes for the guitar and the result is evocative and very reminiscent of harp music.’

[review in Pagan Dawn Magazine 2007]

Track List :

Charles Plunkett (2.53)

Killiekrankie (2.29)

King of the Faeries (3.08)

Down by the Sally Gardens/Londonderry Air (4.00)

Molly McAlpin (3.18)

Banish Misfortune (2.17)

Dargai (3.31)

Eleanor Plunkett (3.10)