FEATURED PLAYERS
Dave Griffiths
Dave is a renowned blues, choro and jazz mandolin player. He started playing mandolin in the 70s influenced by blues, ragtime and jug band music. Dave runs workshops at festivals, the BMG Federation Rally and in his home town of Bristol. Dave has been conducting the Bristol Mandolin Ensemble for five years and conducts the mass plucked string orchestra events at the BMG Federation Rallies. He is the conductor for the First London Mandolin Festival.
Frances Taylor
Frances Taylor is Britain’s leading exponent of the Italian school of mandolin playing. She studied under Ugo Orlandi at the Padua Conservatoire and has a Masters degree in Music from London University. For many years Frances has worked tirelessly promoting the mandolin by giving concerts throughout Britain and running numerous workshops. Frances has been instrumental and invaluable with the advice she has given on choosing the works for the festival and the advice she has given during rehearsals.
Steve Smith
Steve Smith is one of today’s pre-eminent contemporary guitar players. A genuine multi-instrumentalist and composer he is a master of many forms and styles. His compositions have been performed in the USA, France, Sweden, Finland and the UK. He has lectured at the Royal College of Music junior department, and has been involved in many of the ground breaking education projects of the London Sinfonietta. As leader he has helped give strength and bring coherence to the guitar section.
Paul Marquis
Paul Marquis was for a long time involved in amateur mandolin groups such as the now defunct Ilford BMG orchestra and the defunct London Mandolin Ensemble. Professionally he has played in the Orchestra of Covent Garden, and the Monte Verdi Orchestra with Hugo D'Alton. He has also played for radio, television and films. The latest was a film by Ken Russell. He has given master classes, teaching for at least 45 years and has played as a soloist on both the mandolin and violin. He is the principal mandolinist for the First London Mandolin Festival.