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Jj has been in love with the acoustic guitar since he was 14 years old and has played on the acoustic scene for 30 years off and on. In his early years as a performer he performed at Cambridge, Bromyard and Tanner's Hatch festivals as well as an appearance at the Cardiff University Festival alongside such musical noteworthies as The Chieftains, The Fureys and Davy Arthur. Then he took many years off from his "serious" music in order to persue a "proper job"....a decision he now very much regrets for very many reasons.. "I wasted too many years either not playin at all or playing Barbecue Music , and I am now having to play catchup !!"
In 2005 he returned to performing full 2hr gigs and played a comeback gig providing artist support for American Delta Blues player Kent Duchaine when he visited Leicester in February of that year. Since then things have gone from strength to strength. Now performing full 2 hour gigs in public again Jj has performed in Derby, Nottingham, Leicester and all points across the Midlands and beyond. He has also appeared at a number of festivals. He has also again played support for Kent Duchaine. Jerry's material has had airplay in Ireland, Australia and South Africa and this worldwide response to his return and progress in acoustic music bears witness to his passion and heart. The diary is once again filling up, further gigs and festival appearances this year also. Festival Bookings now being taken for 2010..but be quick
In 2008 Jerrad again played as suporting artist for Kent Duchaine when he appeared in the Midlands as part of his Uk Tour.
Currently he is looking forward to putting the finishing touches to his next cd "Half Past Four". Guest artists on this cd include legendary blues harmonica player Mick Ridgeway, Folk Roots band "In any Order" and Blues Guitarist Rob Holmes.
His latest cd,"Back To The Boards".-a collection of instrumentals, country blues as well as Irish and Scottish melodies,has just been released This cd also includes his newest composition "In the King's own time" which was composed to honour Harry Patch and the last remaining survivors of the war in the trenches in World War One. It also includes a re-recorded version of The Glendalough Suite.....initially inspired by the playing of Al Pettaway. Also, typical of the self-effacing Jerrad in that it is buried within a medley of tunes is the very soulful"Gone too Soon" written in memory of his father. It will be recorded soon as part of another medley with his newest composition (May 2009)"The Road to Taghmon" which was written in memory of his mother who died this year.
This new Jj is musically and emotionally a very different performer . Now musically major inspiration comes from the writing and playing of Martin Simpson, Mike Dowling, Johnny Dickinson, Sonny Black and Keb Mo
However, he also wishes to acknowledge the influences of , Ry Cooder, Tampa Red, Bob Brozman, Bukka White, Kenny Sultan, James Taylor, Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Blake and Robert Johnson . He also performs and writes ragtime instrumentals for the guitar, as well as performing slide pieces with a strong element of Piedmont fingerstyle picking.
He has plainly returned to his musical roots in Ireland and the blend of Celtic instrumental pieces with finger picking Country Blues works really well. Inspired very heavily by the playing of Martin Simpson he now also incorporates the use of a slide in these traditional Celtic melodies.
While not being a prolific songwriter, as such, he does produce gems which vary from the cuttingly witty "Aint got no time" to the more romantic, sensitive and thought-provoking songs such as "Too Far To Fall", "Melt the Walls", "Face at the window" and "Wreckage of the Old". The latter having been written while he was reading the biography of James Taylor, one of his earliest musicial influences.
Personal, understated, self-effacing and yet highly passionate in his performance the audience is invited into a musical world that is both thought provoking and mellow. His writing, playing and whole peformance package reflect his life experiences and personal journey .
JjM has consistently received very good reviews of his gigs.
" Excellent..very acomplished and proficient performer..I heard shades of John Renbourne, John Fahy, Robert Johnson, Bert Janch, Martin Simpson etc all rolled into one" The Acoustic Lounge, Moseley, Birmingham (November 2009)
"He makes the audience feel part of his performances. Funny, and cuttingly witty, engaging, heartfelt. thought provoking" The Criterion. October 2009
"A truly really nice guy who chooses really nice tunes and melodies The Criterion, Leicester.October 2009
"This wasnt a gig ! It was a concert ! He gets better and better and better" Russ Merrifield, Blues guitarist. Leicester Blues Allstars, October 2009
"Awesome !" The Running Horse, Nottngham audience members. October 2009
"How often does someone turn up out of the blue at an Open Mic and really and truly blow everyones socks off ? He was invited to appear as a featured artist the following week alongside BBC Folk Artist of the Year Nominees ! Once again he wowed the audience"
Belper Folk Club , Derbyshire.
" JjM is like a mellow wine" Darren Knockles (The Musician Leicester
"A significant and important asset to the Midlands Blues and Acoustic Scene" (Mick Ridgeway....Mojohand Legend)
"A sweet blend of Blues,Folk and Celtic traditions" ( Julian, The Hind Hotel, Leicester)
"Very nice playing" (Johnny Dickinson)
"Passionate, sensitive and lyrical. The influences of Martin Simpson and Mike Dowling shine through though JjM remanins uniquely JjM" (Peter Astley-Uk and Canada Impresario"
" Glorious ! Evocative and enthralling" (The Garrick Theatre Green Room, Lichfield)
"Laid back, captivating" (Belper Folk Club)
" Soulful"-(Gwyn Ashton)
"He plays from somewhere deep within" (Sue Evans, Nottingham) ,
"Held the audiece in his hand and brought a hush across the whole venue" (The Phoenix Arts Theatre Acoustic Lounge, Leicester)
"There is something magical happening here ! Where would he be now if he HADNT stopped playing for all those years" (The Britannia Folk Club, Shepshed)
"Miss him and you miss out. Captivating music and performance that MUST be heard. He deserves to get on to the FOLK CLUB GUEST ARTIST SCENE ---BOOK HIM" WLRfm Radio, Ireland
"Soulful and honest, as music should be." (Dave Kearney. Woodstock,NY)
"Regular performer for us here and always you can always be sure that Jerad j M's gig will be something special" (The Criterion, Leicester)
"A true Bluesman-soul, spirit and heart" (Chris Armson-musician)
"Intense performance" Ian.The Crit. 2009
"Wears his heart and soul on his strings !" (Tony-Alrewas Folk Club, Warwickshire)
Leicestershire Arts Solo Performer of the month-Feb 2009"
"I just heard your songs here on your MySapce profile. That..s great music. Really awesome!" "From Downtown Blues To Country Lane". Hanno, Radio Station, Hamburg,Germany
Jerrad j is a Busker Guitars Featured Artist
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