After a stunning, sell-out tour in 2014, renowned Jazz Guitarist Remi Harris is returning to tour a host of venues and festivals in Wales and the South West through September.
The gifted 27-year-old performer is regarded by many as one of the UK’s top up-and-coming young jazz guitarists, and was recently awarded runner up in the ‘Rising Star’ category of the British Jazz Awards. Remi’s astonishing guitar playing has been filling venues across the UK.
Having recently appeared on BBC Radio 2 as Jamie Cullum’s featured performer in the 2015 Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Remi received huge acclaim from Jamie, who has played his tracks repeatedly since. He has also recently played live on both Terry Wogan’s Radio 2 show and In Tune on BBC Radio 3.
Following Remi’s performance on Jamie Cullum’s show, Remi’s album ”Ninick” went to #7 in the iTunes Top Jazz Albums Chart and peaked at #6 in Amazon’s Bestsellers in Jazz.
“incredible guitarist… I’m absolutely blown away by his talent” Jamie Cullum Said Remi: “I’m really grateful to Jamie Cullum and BBC Introducing for the recent exposure they have given me.
Jamie is a true musician and lover of music so it’s a big deal to get that level of appreciation and it’s massively encouraging.
Now I’m just getting my head down with the second album and looking forward to some festival dates and a return to tour some of my favourite venues in Wales and down to Cornwall. It’s been a great year so far and I’m excited about the future.”
With sell-out performances from Brecon Jazz to theatres across the country, Remi is a firm favourite with audiences and critics alike. He has been described as ‘in the front line of the world’s finest guitarists… probably Britain’s greatest jazz guitarist to emerge since Martin Taylor’ by UK jazz legend Digby Fairweather.
Herefordshire-born Remi is in the midst of a packed calendar in 2015 after a hugely successful 2014, which included a four-week tour of Australia and sell-out tour of Devon and Cornwall.
His performance at the Brecon Jazz Festival, which was celebrating its 30th anniversary year, was one of only three shows to sell out weeks before the festival. Alongside boutique evenings in rural venues, Remi has been performing at prestigious venues including The Royal Albert Hall, as well as at European venues and festivals, including the Django Festival in Oslo.
Remi commented on his upcoming tour, ‘I was so pleased to get the reception I did in the South West last year – it was just too tempting to come back this year and visit some of my favourite places. It’s always a pleasure to play live and I’ve been enjoying developing my sound, integrating different styles and different decades of music into my repertoire, as well, of course, as letting these influences into my new album. It’s an exciting time.’
Remi’s unique style blends traditional gypsy jazz and swing elements with blues, bebop, rock, world music, popular melodies and contemporary jazz. The Remi Harris Project’s fascinating sound has caught the attention of music magazines, label bosses and jazz broadcasters across Europe.
“The standard of playing is stunning” 5***** Guitar Techniques Magazine
“This young guy is seriously good” 4**** www.thejazzmann.com
Guitar Techniques, the international guitar magazine, recently rated Remi’s talent as 5/5, commenting ‘this is true jazz, yet it has a delightfully refreshing approach that brings a smile to the face while the ears are amazed at what they are receiving.’
And all signs point to further escalations for this ‘rising star’. His UK tour so far has already received hugely positive feedback:
‘’[Harris’] fingers flew around the fretboard, and it wasn’t just the quickness and cleanliness of his playing that was impressive, the expressiveness he managed to give to every single note was astounding… an exceptional guitarist, probably the best I’ve ever seen.’ Alex Dean, Brumlive (Hare & Hounds, Birmingham 19 Feb 2015)
‘Harris just keeps getting better and better. The ecstatic audience reaction tonight suggested that his first visit to Black Mountain Jazz is highly unlikely to be his last.’ Ian Mann, The Jazzman (Black Mountain Jazz, Abergavenny, 22 Feb 2015)
The Remi Harris Project will tour Wales and the South West from 29 August – 26 September:
Saturday 29 August – Cafe Vista, Tenby
Sunday 30 August – Aber Jazz, Fishguard
Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 August – Bude Jazz Festival
Thursday 3 September – The Acorn, Penzance
Friday 4 September – The Poly, Falmouth
Sunday 6 September – Wall2Wall Jazz Festival, Abergavenny
Friday 11 September – CICCIC, Taunton
Wednesday 16 September – Swansea Jazzland
Sunday 30 September – The Good Life Experience, Flintshire
Saturday 26 September – Gwent Jazz, Newport
See the www.remiharris.co.uk website for further information.
Download images of Remi from his Flickr page: http://bit.ly/1IUighg
Help keep news FREE for our readers
Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle