French-Algerian guitarist, singer and composer, Pierre Bensusan is one of the most eloquent and diverse world musicians of our time.
The show also features Hinckley ACT regular Nigel Beck.
BUY PIERRE BENSUSAN TICKETS
Make sure that you secure your tickets for this exciting event buy purchasing in advance, using our secure online system at
www.hinckleyact.co.uk/pages/news/events
Non members £17.00
Members £15.00
About Pierre
Born in Oran, French-Algeria, in 1957, when France was decolonizing its Empire, Pierre Bensusan‘s family moved to Paris when he was 4. He began formal studies on piano at the age of 7 and at 11 taught himself guitar. Influenced in those early days by the folk revival blooming in Britain, France and North America, Bensusan began first to explore his own diverse musical heritage and then moved to the horizons beyond.
Best World Music Guitar Player
At 17 he signed his first recording contract, and one year later his first album Pres de Paris won the Grand Prix du Disque upon his debut at the Montreux Festival in Switzerland. Described by the L.A. Times as "one of the most unique and brilliant acoustic guitar veterans in the world music scene today“, Pierre Bensusan was voted "Best World Music Guitar Player in 2008“ by Guitar Player Magazine Readers Choice.
Do endorsements get any better than this?
"Pierre’s music gives me the shakes. No other guitarist shares his strange gifts of sophistication, accessibility and downright joy. Even at its most complex, Pierre’s music only needs ears to be enjoyed."
Leo Kottke
"Listening to Pierre Bensusan is rejuvenating. Beside his extraordinary touch and tone, the notes and melody appeal directly to the tender side of our human nature."
Steve Vai
"One of the truly gifted musicians of our time - he plays the guitar as if it were the very soul of himself."
George Winston
Booking and venue details
The entrance fee for the evening will be £15 for members and £17 for non-members. The event starts at 8 pm, with doors opening at 7.30 p.m.
The Hinckley ACT
Based in the Sketchley Meadows Business Park, Hinckley ACT is a high quality music venue that offers an informal and intimate atmosphere for concerts and for the monthly club nights, where musicians can come along and ‘take the stage.’ Established by company chairman, Keith London, on the premises of his firm Advanced Carbide Tooling (A.C.T.), the venue provides full stage and seating facilities, plus top quality sound and lighting equipment.
There is a licensed bar and ample free car parking.
I was born in 1958 in Long Eaton Notts. I first fell in love with the guitar when I was about 11 years old having heard classical guitar & flamenco played on the radio & T.V. I was totally fascinated & touched by the melodic and percussive sound of the instrument. After much pestering, my parents bought me my first guitar, a classical model for £17. Lessons were arranged for me & I started to learn the rudiments of classical guitar. I think my teacher became very exasperated with me as I found playing the instrument fairly easy but my sheet music sight reading was a nightmare! My handicap was I could play from memory very easily so I did! To this day I still cannot sight read standard notation although of late I have mastered tab which has enabled me to learn some of the music I've always loved and wanted to play.
By the age of 18 I had moved on to writing some of my own material and was desperately trying to imitate players such as James Taylor, Leo Kottke, Ry Cooder & Jackson Browne. As you could imagine the classical guitar lessons were by now a thing of the past much to my parents disappointment. About this time I began to perform in folk clubs. For a couple of years I enjoyed a certain amount of success amongst my peers. By the time I was 22 the guitar had been put aside to be replaced by sleepless nights & nappies. It wasn't until I reached my late 20's that I decided to have a go at being a rock star, the acoustic guitars being replaced by 2 fender telecasters and an ear shattering array of high powered sound equipment. I had a wonderful time in an assortment of original material performing bands.
After a gap of a few years, during which I had a new love affair 'with fast motorcycles' I returned to my first love, the acoustic guitar. It's taken many hours of practice & locking myself away in the spare bedroom to re-acquire & develop my sound & tone, both these things being very personal to every player. I've drawn great inspiration from such great players as Pierre Bensusan, Leo Kottke, Eric Roche, Antonio Forcione & many others. Time spent learning some of their pieces has been an invaluable tool in expanding my technical knowledge & repertoire and has contributed immeasurably in developing my own writing style.
GIGS
Weds 10th March 2010
The Travellers Rest, 24, Derby Road, Draycott, Derbys. DE72 3NJ
9.00pm-11.00pm. Adm Free.
Weds 12th May 2010
The Hinckley ACT, Unit 7,Watling Close, Sketchley Meadows Business Park, Hinckley, Leicestershire. LE10 3EZ.
8.00pm-11.00pm. Adm £6.
Fri 30th July-Sun 1st Aug 2010 The Bull Bay Festival. Bull Bay, Almwich, Anglesey, Wales. LL68 9SH Timings to be confirmed.
Sun 8th August 2010
Don Paddys. 8 Market Place, Uppingham, Rutland. LE15 9QH
8.00pm-10.30pm Adm Free.
Weds 15th September 2010
The Travellers Rest, 24 Derby Rd, Draycott, Derbys DE72 3NJ
9:00pm to11:00pm Adm Free
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