Isaac Guillory

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Isaac Guillory (February 27, 1947 – December 31, 2000) was an American folk guitarist^[1].

Contents 1 Early life 2 Life 3 Wives and children 4 References 5 Misc

[edit] Early life

Although born at the US Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, his parents were Easton Joseph Guillory, an American sailor, and Victoria Ojalvo, of Jewish origins.^[1]

Guillory played piano and guitar as a child and electric guitar as a high school student in Florida. He also studied music at Roosevelt University in Chicago 1965-69. While there, he recorded two albums with the Cryan' Shames as bass player.^[1]

[edit] Life

After active resistance to the Vietnam War, Guillory left the USA in November 1970, acquired a Martin D-35 and lived throughout Europe. He worked as an acoustic solo performer and settled in the United Kingdom. Guillory came to earn the reputation of one of the best guitarists ever. Many guitarists today emulate techniques Guillory evolved in the early 70's while living in the south of Spain. A particular signature technique that he developed was 'hybrid picking', where he would sustain a bass line with a plectrum held between his thumb and first finger, whilst picking chord and melody lines with his second and third fingers.

He always concentrated on live solo performances (which put him up-close with more intimate small audiences) and sharing his understanding of music; touring, creating his own online guitar school ^[2]. After an initial recording deal with Atlantic Records published five more CDs on his own independent label, Personal Records ^[3]. As a performer he was dedicated to sharing his gift with both audience and fellow musicians, and as a teacher he never hesitated to share in a manner that others could understand.

He performed frequently as a guest artists for recordings and films with, among many others, Al Stewart, Donovan, Mick Jagger, Buggles, Barbara Dickson, Nick Heyward and Elkie Brooks. Guillory released "Isaac Guillory", a self-titled album in 1974. For a while he delved into jazz fusion and recorded with Pacific Eardrum. Isaac lectured at the Guildhall School of Music in London. His music can be heard on 'A' Net Station ^[4], and his website ^[5] continues to be available.

In his later years, he performed on the folk club circuit in Great Britain. His virtuoso guitar playing made him popular with audiences and ensured a steady stream of work as a performer and teacher. His final album, "The Days of '49", recorded on tour during late 1999 and released in early 2000, included a number of solo compositions as well as arrangements of some folk standards. His tribute the British guitarist John Renbourn, "Dear John", is one of the highlights of an outstanding album.

Isaac Guillory's death on New Year's Eve in 2000 was attributed to complications from cancer that had gone undetected for some time.

[edit] Wives and children

He married twice: first the English model Tina Thompson (divorced 1990), mother of Jason (Jace) and the British actress and model Sienna Guillory; and secondly, in 1993, Victoria McMillan, mother of Jacob and Eleanor (Ellie). Between marriages, Isaac's liaison with model Karoona produced their daughter Georgia.

[edit] References

[edit] Misc

Isaac Guillory

Atlantic Records SD 7307, 1974

Side One 1.St.Peter (Guillory) 2.Staying Awhile (Klemens) 3.Brusselles (Guillory) 4.Steamboat (Guillory) 5.Sidewalks Of America (Boyan)

Side Two 6.The Carbondale Strutt (Guillory) 7.Movin’ On (Guillory) 8.Ice Cream Phoenix (Kaukonen/Cockey) 9.El Jadida (Guillory) 10.Karma Blues (Carey)

Isaac Guillory: Guitars, Bass, Mellotron, Arp, & Vocals Jim Fairs: Guitar, Dulcimer Peter Gavin: Drums 1 Jim Carey: Drums 2, 8, 10 Roger Pope: Drums 5 Fred Gandy: Bass 1, 5, 7 Jim Cole: Bass 8, 10 Sam Gopal: Tablas 7, 8, 9 Cathy Hall: Flute Johnse Holt: Electric Guitar 8 Mox: Harp Produced By: Ian Samwell, Jeff Dexter, Jim Fairs