Jeff Guilford

Jeff received his first guitar at the age of 6 after being influenced by the popular music at that time which was dominated by The Beatles. At the age of 11, Jeff began to take the instrument seriously and obtained a decent guitar. In those days it was difficult to obtain lessons so Jeff went down the route of Classical Guitar and began to study with Robin Pearson who owned and ran the Nottingham Spanish Guitar Centre. This took Jeff to the Associated Board Grade 8 in 1977.

Jeff then decided to take a pre degree course at Heanor College and two years later he obtained an unconditional offer to study at the Birmingham School of Music. During his time at Heanor, he studied Orchestral Double Bass with Tony Morgan which gave him the opportunity to play with the Birmingham Schools Orchestras along with studying Guitar as his first instrument, with Darko Petrinjak, who is now the leader of the Zagreb Guitar Quartet. Darko had also Studied with Julian Bream so Jeff was in good hands. Working in the School Orchestras gave Jeff the opportunity to work with the CBSO and from time to time with some of the finest conductors, namely Sir Simon Rattle and Sir Charles Groves. This experience allowed Jeff to meet iconic artists including the guitarist John Williams.

Jeff completed his Academic degree and diplomas in 1982 with hisfinal year with a conducting specialism. Jeff then began a career in Classical Guitar performing and teaching and continued to study as a post graduate at the Royal College of music with Carlos Bonell for a period of four years. Jeff was always fascinated with various genres of music and a friend of his introduced him to the rock guitarist Phil Hilborne who worked with a magazine called Guitar Techniques. Jeff was so impressed that he studied with him for four years and also learned a considerable amount about audio recording and production. Jeff has had an inspiring musical life, and his varied career over the years has allowed him to work with many wonderful artists, in more recent times with Jose Feliciano and Simon Townshend of The Who, along with many more.

Jeff remains unblinkered to this day and enjoys seeing the results obtained from teaching. Jeff is continually inspired by the fact that we never stop learning and also the joys that are brought to us from being passionate about music.