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IT’S
DIFFERENT FOR GUITARISTS...
Even if you think you haven’t heard the name,
you most certainly will have heard Gary Sanford’s
innovative and distinctive guitar work...
As guitarist for singer/songwriter Joe Jackson, Gary was
responsible for all the driving guitar work on Joe’s
best-known classic hits, including gems such as ‘It’s
Different For Girls’, ‘Is She Really Going Out
With Him?’, ‘Sunday Papers’, and so on,
and worked on a total of five albums
during that high-profile period. Since then, Gary has been
enjoying adding his guitar to a variety of music, including
ten years as a touring guitarist with Scottish pop rock
act, Aztec Camera whose two biggest hits, ‘Oblivious’
and ‘Somewhere In My Heart’ continue to receive
copious amounts of airplay around the world.
Furthermore, alongside touring with The Clash's Mick Jones and with the lateKirsty MacColl and playing guitar on two Joan
Armatrading albums and tours. Gary has also worked with acts such
as Simply Red, Tracey Ullman and Bryan Adams in the early
days.
KARMASTUDIO
The bulk of Gary’s time is now taken up with his ‘Karmastudio’
concern, where he teaches guitar and bass to around 40 students,
the bulk of which are young up-and-coming musicians. Twice
a year, Karmastudio hold showcases for the students, where
they are placed into ensembles and perform to an audience
– Gary also passes on the benefit of his considerable
performance skills, as well as theory and technique.
Karmastudio lives up to its name too, reckons Gary. "I
find it's a way of giving something back," is his take
on the project, adding, "One of our students, who had
been badly bullied and taken out of school for a year, made
such great progress, they played the acoustic stage at Glastonbury
this year – and is going on to the BRITs!".
The success of Karmastudio does create some additional problems,
though. “I try not to turn anyone away,” comments
Gary, “but unfortunately, there are just not enough
hours in the day for me to take on all the students who
apply."
In addition to Karmastudio, Gary still gigs regularly. "Yeah
– country, blues and some original stuff. I also run
a jam night I started over 10 years ago, in between any
tours I get asked to do."
INCREDIBLE
Gary is well known for using just one guitar throughout
his recording career – a '63 Fender® Stratocaster®.
Surprisingly, he has recently decided to add Vintage®
guitars to his guitar inventory. When asked why, his response
is typically pragmatic.
"The quality of these Vintage guitars is incredible,
I'm really impressed,” is his considered take on the
Vintage brand. “I can recommend them to my students,
the bulk of whom don't have a lot of money to spend on a
guitar or bass, and know that the instrument will take them
wherever they want to go. Of course, if they get a record
deal and want to blow £10,000 on a guitar, then..."
Contact Karmastudio at – karmastudio@talktalk.net
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