Took place on  - 14th Mar 07 Gig-21
Gypsy Jazz -'Duets for Django' -
The PAUL VERNON CHESTER Duo
Paul's Duo played a "Tribute To Django Reinhardt's Musical Legacy" including many of Paul's own compositions.

Featuring :-
Paul Vernon Chester - Soloist Guitar
Nick Mellor - Rhythm Guitar
Paul and his cousin Nick as rhythm guitarist, have been playing together since they were kids-and their rapport is clearly apparent in their performances.
Video - links
Paul Vernon Chester Video -1
Paul Vernon Chester Video - 2 (Autumn leaves)

Amazing dexterity and fluency from this Giant of International Manouche Swing Jazz exponents

Paul Vernon Chester - One of the UK’s and the worlds finest Gypsy Jazz guitarists Paul’s playing and compositions are rapidly bringing him to the forefront of the jazz guitar scene. His guitar playing in the Django tradition, is warm, open hearted and highly Charged! Regularly appearing on the same bill as many of the Continental big names, (Boulou, Elios Ferre, Romane, Serge Krief etc),  Paul’s work has been much admired in the UK and abroad.

Jazz Eddie.............., Paul's quiet relaxed approach to his music was refreshing and he imparted many anecdotes between numbers - each displaying a dazzling technique with attack that was worthy of his hero and mentor Django - we are blessed that his disciples still emulate this wonderful facet of Jazz - Manouche Gypsy Jazz Swing.  Not to forget the gargantuan labour's of Nick Mellor -on Rhythm Guitar such an essential component of this magical sound - both are Manouche Maestros.

Live MP3-5.5Mb - After Youve Gone - Concert Jazz Thame complete with impromptu string break

Paul Vernon Chester’s playing and compositions have rapidly established him in the forefront of the gypsy swing jazz guitar scene.  His compositions once heard are a monument to his dexterity and fluency.  ‘Hauntingly beautiful’ and ‘infectious’ are both accurate descriptions that have been applied to Paul’s music, Proven in many performances that have earned him huge respect from audiences and artists alike. He is supported by his cousin and lifelong accompanist, the superb rhythm guitarist, Nick Mellor

Paul in Action @ Concert Jazz

Nick in Action @ Concert Jazz

Paul's Epic Journey to Gypsy Jazz Guitarist Extraordinaire

There has never been a better time for anyone wishing to play in the tradition of the great gypsy, Django Reinhardt. I say this from the standpoint of over four decades playing this wonderful music. In conversation with my cousin and rhythm guitarist, Nick Mellor, we often reflect on the wealth of material and opportunities available today for the gypsy jazz student in terms of recordings, gigs and festivals, guitars, workshops and tutors etc, devoted to our hero. This is in stark contrast to the sparse resources at our disposal, other than Django’s recordings, when we began our journey as enthusiastic kids years ago.

Like thousands of other kids I was caught up in the energy of the 60's Rhythm & Blues times era and became inseparable from my guitar. I listened to and tried to assimilate the solos of my guitar heroes moving from one to the next, always looking for increasing levels of complexity and difficulty. It was bound to happen! I remember a guitarist friend of my brother, always aware of my insatiable desire for improvement, recommending I listen to a gypsy guitarist who was better than all others and to top it all, played mainly with only two fingers! His name was Django Reinhardt. Where do I listen to this guitarist? Is he alive? What does he play like? What happened to his fret hand?

I began my studies immediately. I learned Nuages first, playing along with the record over and over until I thought it sounded right. Nick and I sat for hours playing through our slowly but steadily increasing Django repertoire. We sought out information about the man, about these weird guitars with sound chambers. Some people called them Selmer's and others, Maccaferri's. Some had D shaped holes and some oval. You could not buy them as they were very rare! Our investigations only ever got so far and our knowledge of Django gleaned almost exclusively from record sleeve notes, read over and over. Some years later Charles Delaunay's biography became available at the public library. Needless to say, it was read from cover to cover several times over.

The music has never been in better shape with so many wonderful guitarists offering their own take on this music. The quality of musicianship develops at an astonishing level. Accessibility has never been stronger with Festivals throughout the world. Affordable instruments are available in profusion for the aspiring gypsy guitarist, DVDs, CDs, the internet.  Django would be amazed! - Paul Vernon Chester©