French ‘Medieval Blues’ Guitarist Claude Bourbon Plays OTCA

Cottonwood AZ (October 13, 2011) – Claude Bourbon modestly calls himself “the frog with the happy blues”, which endears him to you immediately. Those who have seen him perform say they just weren’t prepared for the incredible talent that he possesses. On tour in the Southwest from his home in England Claude Bourbon brings his ‘medieval blues’ and virtuosic guitar playing to Old Town Center for the Arts on Friday, October 21st at 7:30 pm. This concert is the third in the Guitar Master Series and is sponsored by Abbies Fine Dining in Old Town.

Born in France in the early 60’s, Claude Bourbon grew up in Switzerland, where he was classically trained for many years. He has performed and studied all over the world and has crafted an unbelievable fusion of classical and jazz, with ethereal Eastern influences, Spanish and Latin elements with strains of Western folk.

The unique Monsieur Bourbon is a formidable performer, his inimitable style incorporates all five digits on each hand dancing independently but in unison, plucking, picking and strumming at such speed and precision that his fingers often seem to melt into a blur. Thousands of people in the UK, Europe and USA have enjoyed listening to this virtuoso and for the majority of his audience it is an experience that compels them to return again and again to hear and watch him play, as his fingers lightly dance over the strings of his guitar and create a unique sound that is ’Claude’.

Starting to play guitar at the age of 15, it was the strains of an instrumental version of ‘House of the Rising Sun’ seeping from a neighbor’s garage that ignited the fire in Claude’s soul. He then studied classical guitar for a period, but soon realized that his feeling was more for improvisation than written music.

Some of the guitarists’ who have influenced Bourbon allow us a fascinating insight into this remarkable musician; Paco De Lucia: Deep Purple’s Richie Blackmore; Joaquin Rodrigo; JJ Cale, Monty Python; JS Bach and Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks have all been important in his music development.

Claude has played countless venues, performing with several top international musicians including sax player Steve Grossman (Miles Davis band) and drummer Charlie Morgan (Elton John, Gary Moore).

His repertoire combines strains of folk, western, jazz and blues through such melodic delights as the traditional English Dance, the hypnotic Rodrigo, and a gorgeous version of the Rolling Stones “Angie”. Claude plays incredibly accurate slide and fingerpicking guitar. His vocals, display a slightly gruff, world-weary voice. When he bursts into song, you get something between Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens, combined with his irresistible French accent.

The weekly newspaper “The Hook”, in Charlottesville, North Carolina says of Bourbon, “Claude Bourbon is a unique figure today… his playing is almost indescribable“. So you might just have to attend in person to find out what the buzz is about with Claude Bourbon. Seeing is believing.

Don’t miss this special opportunity to hear Claude Bourbon in the intimate, vintage ambience of the Old Town Center for the Arts. Tickets for Claude Bourbon are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Tickets are available online at www.showtix4u.com. Tickets are also available in Cottonwood at: Thyme & Again Café (right next to OTCA), Jerona Java Café, Desert Dancer; and in Sedona at: Crystal Magic, and Golden Word Bookstore. Old Town Center for the Arts is located at 5th Street & Main in Old Town Cottonwood. For further information visit www.oldtowncenter.org or call 928-634-0940.

MORE INFORMATION
www.claudebourbon.org