Will has 20 years experience playing live, with a variety of people and bands including Jazz, Rock & Pop, Blues, Folk and Acoustic. He has been a band leader for a 4 piece theatre Jazz/Classical crossover group, a 7 piece Reggae band and 5 piece pop band among others. He has experience playing festivals and theatres, touring and studio sessions.
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He is a versatile, virtuoso in multiple genres, strong and empathetic band leader/member, intuitive, passionate, professional, natural improviser, playing by ear, chart reading, good with people and stressful situations, good traveler, good understanding of electronics, technology and gear, good memory (massive bank of songs), showmanship.
“A good choice of material... and your playing is really strong!”
Dr Martin Taylor MBE
“He’s a hugely gifted technician, a fact confirmed by his excellent live appearances”
thejazzmann.com
"We highly rate Will Barnes as one of the most impressive guitarists and best musicians around"
Brecon Jazz
“This is one player who really does combine a raft of tasty guitar styles and throws them at you with a mix of speed, power and passion”
Oxford Jazz
“A musician who displays a confidence and maturity beyond his years with the technical expertise to match”
Stratford Jazz
“Audiences visibly marvelled at the musicianship”
Tenby Observer
Trio De Mons, are a freshly formed Jazz trio, based in Mid-Wales/Shropshire. You'll hear a mixture of bebop, swing and gypsy jazz from the three brilliant musicians.
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Will Barnes - Jazz Guitar
Josh Davies - Drums
Tommy Mills - Double Bass
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As well as their other gig dates, you'll find them bi-monthly at The Granary, Newtown (sometimes with special guests!)
The Beth Prior Collective represent something true. A fresh and dynamic collective of musicians delivering a conscious an elevated trip into Dub-Reggae. Their positive message is weaved into a deep pulse of improvisation brimming with energy and raw connectivity that leave audiences feeling like they’ve experienced something truly unique. At their most euphoric they’ve been likened to the legends of antipodean Dub, ‘Fat Freddy’s Drop’ whilst seamlessly diverging into breakdowns of Jazz influenced hip-hop, from Robert Glasper to Jill Scott
Jeb Loy Nichols, the UK-based, Wyoming-born artist and songsmith, has been putting out his own singular brand of smoky retro soul for over two decades, gathering a fervent cult following along the way. Nichols, backed by his touring band, the Westwood All-Stars, releases a new studio album, 'June Is Short, July Is Long' on Compass Records.
