by John Boyd » 17 Nov 2015, 21:24
Last Sunday afternoon I got to meet my guitar hero Hank Marvin.
I'd just arrived home drenched from a 10k walk when a phone call from a very good friend invited me to go to the sound check for Hank Marvin Gypsy Jazz.
Not needing to be asked twice, I did the obligatory prep, then drove five minutes to the venue.
After listening to their amazing gypsy swing music there was a break while some sound issues were resolved and that's when it happened.
Hank walked down the hall and my friend John did the introduction. I found Hank to be very friendly and relaxed, obviously loving what he was doing.
That would really have be sufficient for me at that point, having shaken the hand that played 'Apache', but the day was made complete when I
(along with a large audience) enjoyed a two hour performance by the wonderful musicians that are Hank Marvin Gypsy Jazz.'
Hank was at his inimitable best with his humour showing through in the music as well as his intros. Who would have expected to hear phrases from
'Paint it Black', 'Summer Holiday' and 'The Look of Love' in gypsy swing music? Certainly not me!
As well as their superb gypsy jazz programme, Shadows fans were treated to acoustic versions of 'Nivram', Guitar Tango' and 'FBI' and as an encore, they played 'Apache'.
Sunday November 15, 2015 is a day I'll remember for a very long time.
JB