Guitar Break Tutors

DAVE KILMINSTER

As Guitarist magazine’s first Guitarist Of The Year in 1991, Dave K is acknowledged as one of the UK’s finest rock guitarists. A longstanding tutor at the Academy Of Contemporary Music in Guildford, he is one of the school’s most popular teachers.

Having played in fusion legend Keith Emerson’s touring band, as well as depping for Guthrie's jazz funk outfit when he's away, Dave’s reputation as a player and teacher are unsurpassed.

Dave is currently touring with Pink Floyd's Roger Waters on the Dark Side Of The Moon world tour. Having already been around the world they are now off to do it again.

Visit www.davekilminster.com

DARIO CORTESE

Dario is quite simply a stunning player! He has more than 15 years of experience as a pro guitarist; as a guitar teacher, session guitarist (recording for various artists and TV advertising) as well as live musician (alongside world-class artists).

Steve Trovato hits the nail on the head with this comment; "His musicianship is outstanding. I have rarely known a multi-stylist guitarist that can truly play authentically in virtually every style of pop and electric guitar."

Visit www.myspace.com/dariocortese

GUTHRIE GOVAN

Guthrie Govan is one of the UK's finest guitarists. As a player since age three, Guthrie has acquired a simply unbelievable level of playing skill: he can do everything, from the fastest rock, the speediest country and the feelingest blues, to off-the-wall jazz and anything else you can think of.

Like Dave Kilminster, Guthrie is a past Guitarist Of The Year winner. He teaches at Brighton's Institute of Modern Music, plays in his own jazz fusion band, The Fellowship, and has recently been touring the world with top prog band Asia.

Guthrie has been writing for Guitar Techniques almost since its beginning, and his own instrumental number, Wonderful Slippery Thing was recently transcribed in the mag at readers' requests.

Visit www.guthriegovan.co.uk

NEVILLE MARTEN

As well as having edited two of the world’s foremost music magazines, Guitarist and Guitar Techniques (a magazine he launched alongside Phil Hilborne), Neville also teaches blues styles at the highly respected International Guitar Foundation and Festivals summer school in Bath.

He is a respected player, his monthly Blues Headlines column in Guitarist being a readers’ favourite. He tours the country rocking and rolling as one of Marty Wilde’s Wildcats, has worked on stage with artists as diverse as Suzy Quatro, Joe Brown, Eden Kane, Steve Harley and Gary Moore and is currently working on his own blues album.

JASON SIDWELL

Senior Music Editor of Total Guitar, Guitar Techniques and Guitarist, Jason is skilled in all areas of guitar playing, from classical to jazz to rock, and – as readers of Guitar Techniques will know – funk.

Jason also examines for RGT/LCM electric guitar grades and teaches at the IGF catering to funk, rock and jazz blues styles. In addition, he finds time to play solo and band gigs around the country with musicians who've played with Beverly Knight, Jamiroquai, Jeff Beck and Incognito.

Visit www.uniquedayguitar.com

LEE HODGSON

Lee is a senior tutor/assessor at London’s prestigious Guitar Institute – now part of The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, which is associated with the University of East London (UEL). He has taught there continuously since 1990.

Lee has also acted as module leader, course writer and assessor for the London College of Music and Media in association with Thames Valley University. Other teaching activities include class teaching for the International Guitar Foundation (IGF).

Lee is a versatile studio musician and vastly experienced stage performer: he has played thousands of gigs including the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena and has toured with Number 1 chart act Odyssey, plus other chart acts, too.

Since 2006, Lee has been gigging as a guitarist/vocalist with a popular rock’n’roll/60s band, Benny & The Jetts, and occasionally plays major UK country festivals with the Steve Cherelle Band, too. Lee is a confident lead/harmony vocalist.

The ace up Lee’s sleeve is his MIDI Guitar System (“guitar-synth”), with which he can variously conjure up piano/strings/brass etc. sounds!

PHIL HILBORNE

This renowned rock guitarist has done the lot! He was the UK's first serious music transcriber and set the standard for Guitarist, Guitar Techniques and many other publications. His tablature system has been widely adopted by publications around the world.

Phil was Guitarist magazine's music editor for a number of years, before co-launching Guitar Techniques with Neville Marten. Phil has also taught some of the country's best known players and tutors.

The Phil Hilborne Band was one of the hardest working rock acts on the circuit, and Phil now works in the band for the most successful London musical, Queen's We Will Rock You.

Visit www.philhilborne.com

JAMIE HUMPHRIES

Jamie Humphries is one of Great Britain's top Rock guitarists. Not only is he a tutor at Guildford's Academy of Contemporary Music, but he's also one of Guitar Techniques magazine's best loved tutors. Specialising in all things Rock, Jamie's fastidious transcriptions and awesome backing tracks are legendary among GT readers.

At the NAMM show in Anaheim, California this February, Toto guitarist Steve Lukather was seen to get down on his knees and bow in honour of the six-and-a-half-foot fretmelter. He then dragged Jamie into the Music man demo booth and proceeded to jam with Jamie, soon to be joined by Dream Theater's John Petrucci.

The chance for one-on-one tuition with Jamie is not to be missed!

Visit www.jamiehumphries.com

JONNY SCARAMANGA

Jonny joined us on our first one-day event in Bristol and has become an instant hit with our guests.

Profile to come...

GARETH THOMAS

As a teenager Gareth's musical career started with a bang in the 1960's when the suburban London RnB group that he was playing in won a prestigous TV band competition organised by the rock show 'Ready Steady Go'. For 3 years the group hit the road but when the last of their four singles failed to chart they split up.

At this point Gareth decided on a change of direction, sold his Fender Telecaster and Vox AC 30, and trained to become a primary school teacher. After several year as a class teacher he eventually became the Head of a central London Primary school.

But during this period of time, towards the end of the 1970's the magnet of music became too strong and sensing another Blues revival was around the corner he put together a band that was to be named the 'Radical Sheiks'.

By the mid 80's the group had become highly popular on the London Blues circuit and was regularly chosen as support band for visiting American artists. These included Buddy Guy, Doctor John, Albert King, Bo Diddley and, the biggest of them all, a concert at the Hammersmith Odeon with BB King in 1984.

In 1994 Gareth and his family moved to France. Since that time he has played guitar with the Lucon Big Band, formed a jazz trio, a blues band, and in 2002 a Soul / blues band ('Funky Chicken') in which he also sings. As well as performing in France he has also been teaching guitar to both children and adults.

In 2007, Gareth performed at the Cognac Blues Festival and is currently playing guitar with the La Rochelle Gospel Choir and teaching blues guitar at a music school in Rochefort. He is also in the process of setting up a small recording studio.