MARCH 2013 UPDATE
Circular are proud to announce the latest release from The Procession. ‘Call You’ is taken from the band’s debut album ‘We are Now Leaving the Future’.
Nigel Clark (Jazz/Instrumental)
Nigel Clark has emerged as one of Europe’s top guitarists. The Scottish native has worked with some of the biggest names in jazz and pop throughout the last 15 years and has toured the world as a leader, sideman and accompanist. Nigel made his US debut on Arkadia Jazz with Grand Hotel Europa, bridging the gap between straight ahead acoustic and contemporary smooth jazz in a way that surprised audiences of both genres. The Spanish nylon string guitar is unusual in mainstream jazz, but the lines Clark plays are more akin to Jim Hall or Django Reinhardt in their conception. Blended with the silky sound of the nylon strings and spiced with tinges of flamenco, Brazilian, Indian and other world music, Clark creates a new hybrid in the jazz melting-pot. The result is a truly contemporary conception that is planted deeply in traditional roots. Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1957, Nigel was drawn to the guitar in the early 1970’s. Influenced by the rock music of the day, Nigel’s exposure to the gypsy genius Django Reinhardt made an equally lasting impression.
The guitarist continued to absorb both rock and jazz for the rest of the decade, and played in numerous bands that reflected his broad range of interests. His natural talent was honed on many tours through the highlands, the UK, France, Holland, and Germany. In the mid 80’s, Nigel moved to the seaside town of Brighton, England where a bustling bebop community flourished. Nigel returned to Glasgow in 1987 to join the jazz/pop band Hue & Cry, and became their arranger and guitarist for the next 4 years. An opening act for arena rock artists U2, Madonna and Simply Red, the band also employed some of the biggest names in jazz on their own recordings including Ron Carter, John Scofield, Tito Puente, Michael and Randy Brecker. Nigel’s visibility in the pop world led to high profile collaborations with Maire Brennan (the singer with Clannad and older sister of Enya) and Scottish singer-songwriter Carol Laula. Ultimately it lead to the formation of his own acoustic jazz group and album, Worldwide Sound, featuring Brian Kellock, Tim Garland and Mike Bradley, which climbed to #4 on the UK charts