07870 369 131 – info@cliffsmith.net
About Cliff
Raised by urban foxes in Kennington, I began playing the guitar at around age nine or ten. Originally inspired by my older brother Mike’s punk guitar riffs, I went on to take classical guitar lessons at primary school To be honest I wasn’t really into it and gave up! On starting secondary school I was provided with electric guitar lessons. These electric guitar lessons (and the great teacher I had) combined with my newly discovered passion for sixties & seventies rock (Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, The Beatles etc.) set me firmly on the path to a career in music – I loved it too much to spend the rest of my life doing anything else. In my second year I started my first band, playing my original compositions.
On leaving school I studied piano, electric guitar, classical guitar, folk guitar, percussion, music theory and composition at Morley College, London (where I was later to become the tutor for both the classical and folk guitar courses). I also started another band; ‘The Glass Tears’, a psychedelic rock outfit playing our own original songs. During my time with the ‘Tears, I was also making a living from busking. It was during this time that I began my guitar teaching career, as people would stop and ask for lessons.
I then joined rock band Hog as lead guitarist, playing a multitude of venues including The Rock Garden and The George Robey (Now the Powerhaus). Resolving to study music in more depth, I enrolled on an intensive music course at Merton College, Surrey.
During my studies I joined the ‘Pandemonium’ steel-pan jazz-rock orchestra as lead guitarist, playing some fun gigs, including the Radio One Roadshow. I was also playing in a jazz duo with a pianist, and teaching guitar voluntarily in both primary and secondary schools to gain some experience in teaching children.
I graduated from Kingston University in 2000 with an honours degree in Classical Music, specialising in performance and composition. While at university I sang tenor in the choir (I’ve always liked to belt a song out!), presented solo recitals on the classical guitar, and performed live with several bands and ensembles including ‘Dangerland’, performing at venues such as The Acoustic Café in London’s Soho. I also formed a ‘Madchester’ band for a one-week-only stint at ‘Chez Wayne’s’ English pub in Nice – playing for two hours every night to an aggressive, drunken mob!
Since graduating, I have performed extensively in the genres of pop, rock and classical music around England, France and Ireland. Highlights include playing to 3000 people at ‘Boogie In The Park’ in Bedford with Ultimate Beatles in the summer of 2005, and 7,000 at Music On The Moor in Hemel Hempstead the following year. I was also very lucky to have the opportunity to spend seven years teaching guitar at some of the best prep schools in the country. I was responsible for taking the children through their grades, preparing them for school concert recitals and running school bands and guitar ensembles. I met some of the stars of the future along the way, I’m convinced of it!
A keen songwriter, I am equally comfortable performing my own songs, playing cover versions, or improvising in many styles. I currently perform regularly with Ultimate Beatles and The Forgers, in addition to solo work and collaborations.
When I’m not performing, I teach adults privately from my home studio. I enjoy the challenge of igniting a spark in my pupils and inspiring them to reach their full potential.
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