Due to the popularity of the first two evenings at The Peldon Rose, a further date has been added to the jazz evenings. The next date will be Thursday 5th April and will be a perfect opportunity to start your Easter Weekend with great food and music. The line-up for the evening will be Bass-player Andy Staples, myself on Guitar and the fantastic Gareth Lumbers on Tenor. I would like to show my appreciation to all those that supported the first night to make it the success that it was and hope that the jazz evenings continue. If you wish to book a table, please call the restaurant and remember to mention that you wish to be seated in the conservatory area. Thanks.
A Message From Simon...
This is the site of Simon Hurley, a professional guitarist and guitar teacher based in the Colchester area.
If you are looking for a session musician or for guitar lessons, I am a versatile guitarist with 20 years of playing and performance experience. I am competent in many styles and disciplines from theatre work and live rock performance to studio recording and vocal accompaniment. I also have 10 years of experience teaching the guitar at all levels, both privately and in colleges and schools.
If you are looking for music for an event, party or wedding, I regularly perform as a jazz guitar soloist or with a number of ensembles of various sizes from jazz duo upward. I can provide appropriate music for the tone of your event and ensure a professional service.
So, if you are in need of a guitar tutor or wish to book a soloist or group for an event, please get in touch.
If you wish to see me play, please view the Live page for more information on gigs, both past and present with any number of jazz ensembles, function bands or with the The Ragged String Band.
News...
Jazz at the Rose EXTRA DATE
Watson-Hurley Quartet
The Watson-Hurley Duo will be performing an evening of music in St.Lawrence Church, Rowhedge on Friday the 20th April. As well as duo performances, the guitarists will be joined by double-bassist Bern Hodgkins and drummer Alex Best. The gig will raise money for the upkeep of the church building and grounds so your support is most welcome and much appreciated.
Jazz at The Rose
Starting with two gigs on Thursday March 8th and 22nd, I will be performing at The Peldon Rose with a great trio featuring myself on Guitar, Bern Hodgkins on Bass and Albert Garza on Tenor. Hopefully, this will be the start of a series of regular gigs and events, depending on the success of the evenings, so your support would be much appreciated. Tables for both evenings can be booked by calling the restaurant on (01206) 735248
New Recordings
This is my own solo arrangement of the Irving Berlin tune ‘Cheek to Cheek’, taken from the 1935 Fred Astaire film ‘Top Hat’.
Cheek to Cheek (Solo Guitar) by Simonhurley
This tune is ‘Just Friends’, a jazz standard written in 1932, arranged for 2 guitars. I’m playing both rhythm and lead guitars on the recording.
Guitar Duo
Here’s something I recorded today. The tune is a Charlie Parker bebop head with me playing both rhythm and lead parts separately.
Colchester Jazz Jam
The Colchester Jazz Jam takes place on the 1st Thursday of every month in the Music Room of The Bull, Crouch Street, Colchester. I am a regular contributor to the evening, often in the house band. The house band always contains some of the best players in the area, sometimes including Albert Garza (Tenor Sax), Andrew Noble (Organ) and Ian Thompson (Alto Sax). We have also had the privilege of past special guests such as Mick Hutton (Double Bass), Paul Higgs (Trumpet) and Bern Hodgkins (Double Bass) to name a few.
The band usually start with an opening set followed by a jam session where all contributors are welcome.
Past Gig: Supporting Martin Taylor
In 2010, I was lucky enough to support Martin Taylor at Colchester Institute. After the set he was incredibly pleasant and encouraging to both myself and to my duo partner, vocalist Emma Stewart-Smith. In fact it was him who suggested we pose for the photo! He then went on and performed phenomenally well. A true master of his art and a real inspiration.
The Watson-Hurley Jazz Guitar Duo
The Andy Watson/Simon Hurley Jazz Guitar Duo was formed in 2010 with a view to exploring a carefully selected repertoire of song and jazz standards. The duo is strongly influenced by the Jim Hall/Pat Metheny, Louis Stewart/Martin Taylor and Jimmy Raney/ Doug Raney partnerships – which have been an inspiration to both players for many years.
Past Show: Swing to Bop
The artwork and publicity shot for a sold-out 2010 show at the Headgate Theatre, Colchester. I was lucky enough to share the stage with Roger Odell and Bern Hodgkins of the Jazznights Trio.
Photos courtesy of Ant Jones Photography