James Grace

Guitarist James Grace, head of classical guitar at UCT's South Africa College of Music, will be launching his debut solo album, Granada on Saturday, November 5, at 20h15 with a concert in the Baxter Concert Hall.

Granada features twelve different tracks, with a strong emphasis on a powerful trilogy, Suite Española, by Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz. Although originally written for the piano, Grace has adapted the pieces to create an evocative and unique sound on guitar. The album also contains music by Enrique Granados, a contemporary of Albeniz, and well-known guitar composers Fernando Sor, Miguel Llobet and Francisco Tarrega.

Grace is the first guitarist to receive the Tagore Gold Medal from the Royal College of Music in London in 2001, where he studied for four years.

In 2004 Grace and local flamenco guitarist Saudiq Khan produced their debut album, Granasturias, a fusion of classical and flamenco guitar music. In the same year, James made his orchestral debut as the soloist in Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor David Scarr.

The concert on November 5 will also feature a special guest appearance by guitarist Jonathon Goldberg, who is leaving South Africa to continue his studies in London next year. Tickets are available through Computicket or at the door on the night. Tickets range from R25 to R40.