In 2003 Simon (b. Edinburgh 1979) was awarded an MMus with Distinction from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and was also the recipient of a first class BMus (Hons) from Napier University, Edinburgh, in 2001. He subsequently studied in London with the Brazilian virtuoso Fabio Zanon. Simon is Head of Guitar at Napier University, Edinburgh and teaches at St Mary’s Music School and Stevenson College, Edinburgh.
In January 2006 Simon performed a solo recital at the Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall, London, as a winner of the 50th Park Lane Group Young Artist Awards, which included a specially written work by Irish composer David Fennessy. Simon is the founder of Camerata Ritmata, a unique cross genre collaboration with three of Scotland’s leading jazz musicians, performing Claude Bolling’s virtuoso Jazz Concerto for Classical Guitar and Jazz Trio and music by Brazilian legend Radames Gnattali. They will be touring the Highlands in November. Throughout 2007 Simon will be touring The Alternative Guitar, including at Musica Nova, Glasgow and Sound 2007, Aberdeen. In 2002 he gave a series of concerts in Havana, Cuba, for audiences that included Ramon Castro, brother of Fidel, and Cuba’s greatest composer Leo Brouwer, as well as on live TV.
Simon has toured Scotland several times has performed the major concertos with orchestras across the country. He recently made his solo Edinburgh Fringe debut. Other concert appearances include: Edinburgh International Festival with the Paragon Ensemble at the Usher Hall, broadcast on BBC Radio 3; Venezuelan Embassy, London; quintets with the Edinburgh Quartet; the premiere of Kenneth Dempster’s Mary’s Lament for guitar and string orchestra at the Queens Hall, Edinburgh; tour of Scotland and CD release with the Dundee Guitar Festival YGR Quartet.
Simon is also a member of the highly successful duo ¡Canto vivo! with soprano Claire Debono. Performances include: sold out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival; In Tune, BBC Radio 3; Ambassadorial Concert, Malta’s National Theatre; St. James Piccadilly, London; LSO St. Lukes, London.
Simon has been on the LiveMusicNow! scheme for over five years, providing countless performing opportunities in a wide variety of community venues.
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“Showed real poise... a lovely crystalline clarity" Classical Guitar
“Superb guitar playing." Glasgow Herald
“A stylish and sophisticated player” The Scotsman
“Up close guitar magic” The List
EVENTS in 2007
with Simon Thacker
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