Guy Tortora brings subtle and distinctive Americana to Crawley

The Guy Tortora Band plays The Hawth Studio, Crawley, on Friday, June 24, at 7.45pm.
Guy Tortora. Picture by Geoffrey ArnoldyGuy Tortora. Picture by Geoffrey Arnoldy
Guy Tortora. Picture by Geoffrey Arnoldy

Born and raised in Pasadena, California, Guy Tortora is currently based in London.

Spokeswoman Lorraine McGregor said: “What he does as a songwriter and performer is what people like to call Americana these days – a hard term to define as it seems to mean different things depending on who you’re talking to.

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“But if to you it means original songs, well constructed and well performed, in some of the various musical idioms that originated in the USA – blues, jazz, folk and roots – and also interpreting the work of other writers in these genres with depth and feeling, then you should check out his work if you haven’t already.

“Over the past few years he has laid claim to a unique niche on the Blues ‘n’ Roots scene in the UK and European continent, from small clubs and theatres to festivals.

“His two recent solo albums received a warm welcome in the Blues ‘n’ Roots reviews, and a third album was released in 2008 to great acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike.

“When travelling light, he performs in stripped down acoustic mode either on his own, or accompanied by bass or keyboards.

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“However for his gig at The Hawth he will be appearing with the Guy Tortora Band, his own four-piece outfit of accomplished musicians from the UK and Europe.

“With this band he has performed live with artists as diverse as Eric Clapton, Pee Wee Ellis, John Cleary and Eric Bibb. He has gigged across North America and much of Europe. He also performs solo, and in duo or trio format with his regular members of the Guy Tortora Band: bassman Costa Tancredi, or keys player Janos Bajtala. Recently he has formed an acoustic duo partnership with Ben Tyzack of UK band Spikedrivers.

“Guy is a guitar player of some accomplishment and a distinctive songwriter.

“On both acoustic and electric guitars he plays finger style, and is a fine bottleneck and slide player. His playing is not the flashy guitar-slinger style beloved of blues-rockers everywhere, but understated, and leaves room for the songs to make an impact, whether his own or the covers he performs that include many old standards and traditional tunes, as well as songs by more recent American writers such as Eric Bibb or Kreig Viesselman.”

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Tickets cost £14 (unreserved). Call 01293 553636, email [email protected] or visit www.hawth.co.uk.

The show is presented in association with Crawley Blues Club.

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