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Take Five With Guy Hatton

By AAJ Staff
September 22, 2013
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Meet Guy Hatton:

Guy Hatton—? Guy Hatton

I am a guitarist and composer based in Rochester, UK. I've been performing, composing, as well as producing and engineering records for over 30 years. I've worked in a vast range of styles and genres including straight-ahead jazz, fusion, rock, trash, improvisation, and electronica. I have produced records for other artists covering everything from early music to contemporary urban, most of which were realized in a tiny 8/16-track studio I run in Leeds.

In 2010, I was offered the opportunity to create a new project for the Harrogate International Festival. The result was Pantechnicon (Pantechnicon Recordings, 2011), a suite of eight compositions and a sextet—featuring, amongst others, violinist

Graham Clark

violin
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Graham Clark and saxophonist

Phil Meadows

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Meadows — to perform them. This project was later recorded and released on my own label Pantechnicon Recordings in 2011.

In August 2013 I've recorded a three-track solo EP, Daylight, which in a Tutu like way, combines live playing and programming. It focuses very much on the compositions. I'm thinking of recording an accompanying EP of improvisations when the opportunity arises.

Instrument(s):

Guitar and keyboards.

Teachers and/or influences?

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis,

John McLaughlin

guitar
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">John McLaughlin,

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea,

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock,

Gary Burton

vibraphone
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Burton,

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Luciano Berio, and many more.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...

When I was about 11, I saw a newspaper advert for the Melody Maker, which stated, "When Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin talks, he talks to Melody Maker." I was immediately captivated by the idea that there were bands wich such strange and exotic names like Led Zeppelin, peopled by guys who looked as amazing as Robert Plant.

Your sound and approach to music:

My roots are in the electric of the '70s and I think most of what I do retains that flavor.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why?

Guy Hatton's Pantechnicon. It sums up my influences and compositional instincts better than anything I've done previously.

CDs you are listening to now:

Django Bates

piano
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Django Bates, A Celebration of Charlie Parker (BBC Proms 2013);

Phil Meadows

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Meadows , Engines of Creation (BoomBetter);
Laura Jurd, Landing Ground (Chaos).

Desert Island picks:

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis, In A Silent Way (CBS);

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter, Speak No Evil (Blue Note);

Eberhard Weber

bass
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Eberhard Weber, Yellow Fields (ECM);

The Beatles, Revolver (Parlophone).

How would you describe the state of jazz today?

Interesting—there are a lot of really bold ideas out there, but the scene needs better support. Countries where the arts are valued and promoted with public funding are leading the way.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?

By all means look back appreciate and understand the music's past, but always look and think forward when creating new music. Don't be afraid of experimenting.

What's your greatest fear when you perform?

That I will suddenly and irrevocably forget every single piece of music I'm supposed to be playing.

What song would you like played at your funeral?

"Melting" by Bill Connors

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:

Neurotic wreck; maybe I already am.

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