Acclaimed guitarist and two time SAMA nominee James Grace makes a welcome return to the Alexander Bar for the launch of ‘Chilled’, his sixth solo guitar studio album. ‘Chilled’ also celebrates 10 years of Grace’s independently owned and operated record label, Stringwise Records.

Breaking with tradition from his previous five solo albums consisting largely of music for classical guitar, ‘Chilled’ features Grace’s own unique arrangements of songs by artists including The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Jesse Harris, Carol King and Billy Joel. ‘Chilled’ also introduces a South American element with a medley of original compositions and arrangements by Brazilian guitar maestro Marco Pereira. 

The album title appropriately describes the mood and ‘feel’ of the CD, which draws substantially on material from Grace’s previous shows Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero II. 

‘Chilled’ continues to celebrate the diversity of the modern day instrument, and demonstrates the fingerboard prowess which has led Grace to recently be described by local media as a ‘South African icon’ (Odile Hufkie, www.whatsonincapetown.com).

KANNA Award winner for Best Male Artist at the 2010 ABSA KKNK, and more recently KykNET Fiesta winner, James Grace is one of one South Africa’s leading concert artists. In recent years he has appeared with the Cape Philharmonic, the Kwa-Zulu Natal Philharmonic, the Johannesburg Festival, the Johannesburg Philharmonic, the Gauteng Philharmonic and the Free State Symphony in concerti by Rodrigo, Villa – Lobos, Tirao, Stephenson, Giuliani and Vivaldi.

A regular performer at the major arts festivals and concert series, James’s schedule frequently takes him throughout Southern Africa, Europe and the U.A.E. James was the soloist in Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and Pieter Daniel at Kirstenbosch’s Summer Concert Series, and subsequently James joined forces with Jonathan Crossley to give the South African premiere of Rodrigo’s Concierto Madrigal for two guitars with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and Alessandro Crudele.

Born in England, James began playing the guitar aged seven. He immigrated with his family to South Africa at the age of ten and continued lessons with the late Dietrich Wagner. James then studied at the Royal College of Music in London as a Foundation Scholar with Carlos Bonell. Upon graduating he became the first guitarist in the history of the College to receive the Tagore Gold Medal, an annual award presented to the most outstanding student. 

After spending two years in Doha, in the Arabian State of Qatar where he taught guitar at an International Music Centre, James returned to South Africa and was appointed Head of Classical Guitar Studies at the University of Cape Town’s College of Music.

James is launching his sixth solo guitar album ‘Chilled’, under the banner of his independently owned and operated record label, Stringwise Records. His previous two releases Sevilla – Music of Spain II and Café Latino both topped the Classic FM Top 20 South African Charts and earned James SAMA nominations for Best Popular Classical Album and Best Instrumental Album respectively.

As an entrepreneur and concert organiser, James often hosts and performs with visiting artists. In 2015 James toured South Africa in a series of duo concerts with UK-based Mexican guitarist Morgan Szymanksi. James also appeared in concert with Cinzia Milani (Italy), Goran Krivokapic (Germany) and Chloe Murphy (London). 

Locally James works with a number of artists in a variety of projects. These include KZN-based Christopher Duigan (piano), Johannesburg-based Jonathan Crossley (guitar) and Bridget Rennie-Salonen (flute) from Cape Town. 

James is in the final stages of setting up the Stringwise Young Artist’s Trust, with the aim of assisting young artists from across the country produce their own albums and offer bursaries for overseas study.

James CDs are available for purchase at tonight’s performance.

www.jamesgrace.co.za

Audience Responses

James's guitar tone is outstanding. Liked his arrangements. The two Brazilian pieces were new to me and rather fine.

Top notch!

I loved the music and James Grace is a great performer, engaging and charming. I am looking forward to his next performance at the Alexander Bar and Theatre.

It is always a pleasure to listen to his playing

Awesome performance and stunning repertoire. Service at the bar a real bonus. Thank you, all in all a great evening.

Lovely show!

It was fantastic - he's a very talented musician! His interaction with the crowd and laid back discussions about his inspirations and intro to the songs played was wonderful.

Loved the choice of pieces. Played w such amazing skill. Thank you

Awesome compilation of great 'chilled' numbers from popular tunes of greats Like Billy Joel, Beatles, Eva Cassidy etc. Knowing James as one of if not the best classical guitarist, the composition and transposing of these beautiful songs onto the classical guitar makes for a really great chilled listening experience. Even with James breaking from the traditional strict classical music into songs that appeal to a wide audience, I believe will make this his best selling Album to date. Great experience and really enjoyed the show. ( from Shaun, Maree's spouse )

Lovely show!

Top notch!

Wow! Mesmerisingly fantastic.