Dale Harris is simply one of the finest and most versatile Classical-Spanish & acoustic guitarists in the world. His repertoire ranges from standard nylon-plucked guitar favourites, to own transcriptions (e.g. Wagner's Tristan & Isolde, Schumann's Kinderszenen, etc.), country banjo music, to his own unique jazz infused improvisation.
Dale Harris was born in West London, in 1968. Initially taught by his father, Dale began playing the guitar at the age of four and gave his first solo public performance at age 7.
His formal musical education includes a first class B.A.(Hon) degree, an M.A. in performance, and in 2004, Dale successfully completed a PhD entitled 'Cryptograms In The Music Of Alban Berg' . In 1998, Dale won 'The Larissa Lovelock Memorial Prize' -- part of a Masters Degree scholarship specializing in classical guitar performance. Dale studied the classical guitar with Jeff Alexander and has had master-classes with John Mills, Richard Durrant, and John Myhill. Dale has also composed and performed on library albums and his music has appeared on radio, television and corporate video.
Dale Harris commenced his semi-professional musical career playing both acoustic and electric guitar under producers Ian Grant (BBC) and Pat Collier (freelance) whilst simultaneously studying the classical guitar. Throughout his career, Dale has entertained audiences with classical and Spanish standards, virtuoso showpieces and he often includes folk, country, jazz, blues and popular music in his concerts. He often includes items written for a specially modified steel-string acoustic guitar by Adrian Legg. It was Ian Grant who introduced Dale to a legend in British country music, the singer Lorne Gibson. Dale was immediately asked to join the Lorne Gibson Trio (in a role formerly occupied by Adrian Legg), and they performed numerous concerts and British Isles tours together. Amongst the specially invited performances that Dale has contributed to have been to the 28th I.C.H.P.E.R. World Congress attended by His Royal Highness Prince Phillip The Duke Of Edinburgh (London, 1985) and the Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey (Canterbury Cathedral, 1998) and once gave a private recital to a Zulu King and Prince whilst visiting the Amaslubi tribe in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. During 1999, Dale performed a series of concerts featuring late 20th Century classical guitar music featuring the epic 'Princes Toys Suite' by Nikita Koshkin. Many audiences have witnessed Dale Harris's supreme command of the guitar, his sensitive and unique interpretation, his mastery of extended techniques together with his distinctive flamboyant style. The release of Espiritu de la Guitarra (April 2006) heralded the first solo commercial Spanish guitar release from Dale Harris and features Spanish and Paraguayan music by Albéniz, Tárrega, Sor, De Murcia and Barrios Mangoré. 'Dark Tales', the second CD by Dale Harris & Jez Henderson explores a special and unique form of Jazz and Classical-fusion with original compositions. The third and most recent CD by Dale Harris is Reverie On A Hill (a pun on the name of the luthiered guitar by Stephen Hill that is used on this recording: featuring works by Bach, Harris, Handel, Mozart, Scarlatti, Schumann, Wagner and Vivaldi.
Dale's latest projects includes a solo show that combines various guitars plus lute in a wide variety of genres.
When not touring or recording, Dale enjoys cross-country walking, snooker & billiards, chess, F1 Grand Prix racing, power-kites, and keenly supports Brentford Football Club.
(read less) Dale Harris is simply one of the finest and most versatile Classical-Spanish & acoustic guitarists in the world. His repertoire ranges from standard nylon-plucked guitar favourites, to own transcriptions (e.g. Wagner's Tristan & Isolde, Schumann's Kinderszenen, etc.), country banjo music, to his own unique jazz infused improvisation.
Dale Harris was born in West London, in 1968. Initially taught by his father, Dale began playing the guitar at the age of four and gave his first solo public...
(read more)
