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The Cape Town Concert Series presents acclaimed guitarist James Grace in a performance featuring music from his recent SAMA-winning album Andaluza – Music of Spain III, in addition to works by composers including Albéniz, Tárrega and Sainz de la Maza.

The concert takes place in the Baxter Concert Hall and will be just over an hour without interval. There will be a short in-conversation with the artist after the performance in the hall where he will talk about the music and answer questions from the audience.

James studied at the Royal College of Music in London as a Foundation Scholar with Carlos Bonell. He returned to South Africa after two years in Doha and was appointed Head of Classical Guitar Studies at the University of Cape Town’s College of Music.

As an entrepreneur and concert promoter, James often hosts and collaborates with visiting artists, including a nationwide tour with Mexican guitarist Morgan Szymanksi in 2018. The duo subsequently toured Mexico in 2019 and released a cd of that tour in 2021.

James has released a number of albums under the banner of his independently owned and operated record label, Stringwise Records, many receiving a South African Music Award nomination (SAMA). His seventh solo studio album Andaluza – Music of Spain III recently received the SAMA for Best Classical Album 2019 and will be featured in this concert.

For more information email info@ctconcerts.co.za

MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST

‘A highly gifted performer’ (Classical Guitar Magazine, UK)

‘…technical brilliance, attention to detail and complete absorption in the music’ (The Witness, SA) 

‘South Africa’s foremost classical guitarist’  (artsmart.co.za)

Pre-Covid, James Grace was one of the most active live-performing musicians, often eliciting statements such as those above from critics both locally and abroad. A leading artist, James appeared as soloist with all the South African orchestras and featured at every major national Arts Festival, maintaining  a concert schedule which regularly took him throughout Southern Africa, Europe and the U.A.E.

James studied at the Royal College of Music in London as a Foundation Scholar with Carlos Bonell. Upon graduating he became the first guitarist in the history of the College to receive the Tagore Gold Medal, an annual award presented to the most outstanding student.

After spending two years in Doha, in the Arabian State of Qatar where he taught guitar at an International Music Centre, James returned to South Africa and was appointed Head of Classical Guitar Studies at the University of Cape Town’s College of Music.

A career highlight was the South African premier performance of Rodrigo’s Concierto Madrigal for two guitars with Jonathan Crossley and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Alessandro Crudele in 2012.

As an entrepreneur and concert promoter, James often hosts and collaborates with visiting artists, most recently having organized and performed a nationwide tour with Mexican guitarist Morgan Szymanksi in 2018. The duo subsequently toured Mexico in 2019. The pair’s off-stage days were spent recording, resulting in their subsequent album Unydos being digitally released in 2021.

James’s 2017 album, Chilled, produced under the banner of his independently owned and operated record label, Stringwise Records, received a South African Music Award nomination (SAMA). Two of his previous CDs Sevilla – Music of Spain II and Café Latino both topped the Classic FM Top 20 South African Charts and earned James SAMA nominations for Best Popular Classical Album and Best Instrumental Album respectively.

James’ seventh solo studio album Andaluza – Music of Spain III recently received the SAMA for Best Classical Album 2019.

James’ last international engagement was in October 2019; a month-long guitar duo tour throughout Mexico with his friend and colleague Morgan Szymanski. The pair’s off-stage days were spent recording, resulting in their subsequent album Unydos being digitally released in 2021.

During the last two years, James, along with most of his colleagues, moved his entire teaching studio online. With over twenty-five years’ experience of physically working with learners at all levels, James quickly discovered he was able to deliver virtual lessons in a constructive and effective manner. Utilizing HD audio and visual equipment, James is now able to offer his online students the most valuable interactive experience, and is currently more in demand as a pedagogue than pre-Covid.

Embracing the technological aspect of music making has enabled James to live-stream and record independently, most recently producing a series of home concerts celebrating Spanish music and culture in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in South Africa.

Looking ahead, as concert venues are able to open their doors, James is looking forward to resuming travel and connecting with his audiences once again through live performance and engagement.

For more information visit: www.jamesgrace.co.za