Doha resident James Grace, the first guitarist ever to be honored by the prestigious Royal College of Music, London, in over 100 years with its coveted ‘Tagore Gold Medal’, will hold his first public concert in Doha on May 23 at Doha Players, according to Gulf Times.
“I will perform Spanish and Latin American guitar music with my acoustic guitar during the 75-minute solo concert,” Grace, a faculty member at International Center for Music (ICM) in Doha, told the daily.
The 23-year old musician has plans to stage a similar concert in Cape Town, South Africa, and in London, during the forthcoming summer.
“I would also like to organize a concert in Doha during September or October with other musicians,” disclosed Grace, who teaches about 60 students at ICM, Doha English Speaking School and Qatar International School.
Grace, a native of Kent in England, and two friends have formed a jazz band called ‘Sultans of Swing’ a few weeks ago.
Chris Coull, a teacher at Qatar Academy, plays piano and trumpet and Debora Toscano, an Italian, is the singer.
“Our first concert was at Doha Rugby Club,” said James.
The band is also performing at some private functions.
Grace began playing the guitar at the age of six. A former pupil of Deitrich Wagner et the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, he is currently a Foundation Scholar at the Royal College of Music and studying with Carlos Bonell.
Grace has won numerous awards and competitions including the 1991 Sanlam National Music Competition of South Africa, the 1996 South African National Guitar Competition and most recently the British Guitar Recital Competition.
Grace is a very experienced performer and has played extensively throughout America both in solo recitals and in concerts with the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra. In 1997 he toured South Africa playing in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town. He has also appeared on television and radio broadcasts worldwide and has recorded for Classic FM – Albawaba.com
