Clive Carroll

Clive-Carroll-2---smallClive Carroll

An ever-present at Ullapool since the first festival, Clive Carroll is recognised as one of the outstanding acoustic guitarists of his – or indeed any other – generation. He made his performing debut at the age of six, playing a home-made cut-down banjo with the family show band in Essex. There followed a musical education that culminated in a first-class degree in Guitar and Composition from Trinity College, and umpteen prizes and awards, including the prestigious Ivor Mairants Award. Since then he has toured extensively and recorded with everyone who’s anyone in the guitar world.

His technique is flawless, his compositions are complex and sophisticated, while maintaining a strong melodic drive. He has the rare ability to move seamlessly and authentically between genres, from Irish airs to Dowland and Django, or from Bach to Deep ‘N Dirty Delta Blues.

Clive’s first album Sixth Sense (2000) was described as “a milestone in the journey of the steel-string guitar”. One of Clive’s collaborators tonight said of him, “He just keeps raising the bar.” And indeed every year he always seems to have gone to new places in his music. We look forward to seeing where he’ll take us this time round.

Clive has established himself as one of the world’s premier acoustic guitar players.  He has toured across Europe, Australia, the Middle East and North America, garnering praise for his sublime performances of everything from 16th and 17th century lute music to Jazz standards, Blues, Irish reels and his own groundbreaking compositions.  Lauded guitarist Tommy Emmanuel has also taken Clive on the road with him and similar nods to Clive’s musicianship have been given by everyone from classical guitarist John Williams to Madonna, Guy Ritchie, Michelin award-winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and the Sultanate of Oman.

In addition to Clive’s three solo albums – “Sixth Sense”, “The Red Guitar” (which Tommy Emmanuel cites as one of his desert island discs!) and “Life in Colour” – Clive has written music for television and film.  He notably composed the music for the film “Driving Lessons”, which features Julie Walters and Rupert Grint of Harry Potter fame.  Clive’s soon to be released new CD is entirely self penned and will be released in Winter 2015.  Listeners can look forward to a collection of music that showcases the prodigious developments in Clive’s music world in what promises to be his most original, compelling and groundbreaking album to date!

Discography

‘Sixth Sense’ (2000)

‘The Red Guitar’ (2004)

‘Life In Colour’ (2009)

DVDs:

Live In Concert (2004)

Guitar Maestros (2006)
Awards

The John Halford Prize for Composition (1994)

Gladys Puttick Memorial Prize for Extemporisation (1994 & 1998)

Ivor Mairants Guitar Award (1997)

First Class Honours Degree in Composition and Guitar (1998 Trinity College)

Montagu Cleeve Prize for Guitar (1998)

Essex Young Musician of the Year (1999)

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