“What a birthday present! Got to hear the very, very talented guitar maestro Mr Leon Hastwell tonight… What – I mean WHAT a player…”
(David Goodlad – Customer, The Granville, Canterbury. Also guitarist in The Dave Good Band)
Solo Fingerstyle Guitar, from across the ages
I perform live as a solo fingerstyle guitarist at public events, charity presentations, corporate functions, wedding receptions, restaurants and gastropubs. I have played at a funeral. This year, I’ve been playing a regular slot at The Granville and at The Dog Inn at Wingham, both near Canterbury.
My repertoire is pretty big. It’s instrumental. I don’t sing. Some music I play was written by other people 300 years ago – some much more recently. Other music I play is my own original material – which incorporates many stylings; Folk, Classical, Jazz, Blues and Popular.
“Yikes! Tommy Emmanuel the second – not an easy one, in fact b****y hard! It’s always great to hear your playing. Your approach to no-nonsense ‘me and a solo guitar’ is one that I embrace. It takes a lot of talent and technique to keep everyone happy when you are out there on your own, and you are the man for it.”
(David Plues – Guitar Historian and Videographer)
My set could be two or three hours in total, or less if you prefer. I don’t use a gimmicky loop pedal or any backing tracks. Everything you hear is real-time, old-school fingerstyle guitar. What I do, is create some refreshing arrangements of some well-known songs (and some not so well known), playing as many parts as I can on the guitar with just thumbs and fingers. I’ve received comments from people who have likened my playing to Tommy Emmanuel, crossed with Peter Green and Jeff Beck, with a bit of Tuck Andress thrown in. (Four big influences and guitar heroes of mine, with many more besides).
I prefer to think I have developed my own style over the past 35 years of playing, absorbing and listening to great guitar music, like a proverbial sponge. (As a child, I had the opportunity to see Segovia, John Williams, Chet Atkins and Al Di Meola play live – These early experiences forged an overwhelming, soul-deep inspiration – quite enough for me to start out seriously with the intention of mastering my favourite instrument).
“Our community have asked Leon to play his guitar on numerous events. His presence is unintrusive and his repertoire and skills are versatile. His range expands from gentle classical, jazz and blues to something ‘rockier’ – and he makes his guitar sound like numerous guitars playing at once. He comes highly recommended. Leon can adapt to any event to create the atmosphere and music you desire. He certainly knows his instrument well and is a nice guy to deal with.”
(D. Leutner – Event Organiser)
Eclectic and versatile guitar playing
One moment you will hear me playing some classical music by J.S. Bach, some jazz by Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell or Eric Johnson. The next, some interesting arrangements of tracks by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Blind Faith, ZZ Top, The Doors, Tim (and Jeff) Buckley, The Beach Boys, Allman Brothers Band, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Chet Atkins, Pentangle, Bad Company, Pink Floyd and some Guns ‘N’ Roses. I’ll then launch into a 1980s-themed Cyndi Lauper or Police tribute, before (usually ending) with a version of ‘Kashmir’, by Led Zeppelin – utilising a couple of fantastic foot pedals that offer up some early-1970s swirling psychedelic-sounding effects.
In addition, I perform a fair amount of my own material that stems from blues-based styles, jazz-voiced chordal pieces, gentler ballads and some Americana-themed country folk picking. (My dad coined this style perfectly as “Slumped Appalachian low-hand!”).
Baffling, or better still, surprising my listeners, is a little hobby of mine! People often judge on appearances and perhaps expect a bit of heavy rock and the rest of my band to arrive while I’m setting up. They are fairly quick to realise that this book shouldn’t be judged by its cover. I will settle an audience in with some Classical reworkings of Bach, or perhaps some Wes Montgomery material to assure them that I won’t be playing ‘Mustang Sally’, ‘Born To Be Wild’ or ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’ all night long. This said, I do plan to rework some Metallica and Black Sabbath tracks into my solo repertoire – just for a bit of variety!
“A wonderful, imaginative version of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Kashmir’ – never expected to hear it like this!”
(M. Atkinson – At a public event)
Solo Guitar material I’m working on
I am currently working on a medley arrangement of famous and iconic soundtracks, including Henry Mancini’s ‘Pink Panther’ Theme, John Williams ‘Star Wars’ themes, Lalo Schifrin’s ‘Mission Impossible’ and ‘Bullitt’ themes, Ennio Morricone’s ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ themes – I hope to add a few more! I’m working some Metallica and Black Sabbath tracks into my solo repertoire and a couple more by Jeff Buckley. I also enjoy re-working contemporary pop material and making it into solo guitar pieces. At the moment some Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey and Katy Perry arrangements could well make it into my live set too.
“Leon is an incredible guitarist. His playing is meticulous, virtuosic and full of feel. He brings depth to the music he plays and his interpretations, though remaining true to the originals in essence, are beautifully performed in his own captivating style. He has a deep passion for music as a player and connoisseur. To say his knowledge is encyclopaedic is an understatement. Not only that, but he’s also a wonderful human being, with a big heart and a wry sense of humour. I cannot recommend him highly enough.”
(Nanar Vorperian – Singer/Songwriter in Break Reform & freelance Opera singer)
Studio/Session Guitarist
I also play guitar for studio sessions. Whether a client requires some tricky chord arrangements, slick, toneful, authentic blues guitar, jazzy bop-guitar lines, some country fingerpickin’ twang or just straight-ahead gutsy rock guitar with some tasteful flash licks thrown in for good measure… I’m always up for some studio session work, bringing authenticity and to-die-for tone. I can readily convey the right feel or emotion for your recording. Whether you seek some clever chordal work or a bit of sinuous soloing, I could be the missing ingredient to the long-awaited album you’ve been cooking up!
“Nice playing.” “Great feel man.” “Lovely playing dude.”
(Tim Scott – Guitar Mashing)
Stepping In
Having played in many bands performing all styles of music over the last 30 years, I’m versatile enough to join in with function band scenarios, blues bands, rock rebel rousers, country troubadours, jazz outfits, just as much as simply ‘letting it rip’ at an organised jam session. I love assisting bands or accompanying singers – both in the studio and/or playing the live circuit.
I can add that bit of extra magic and creativity you have been looking for. My playing will always be sympathetic to your musical vision.
Please get in touch.
“Wow, Leon – only just found time to listen now… great stuff. You’re very talented!“
(Debs Earl – Promoter, Folk in the Barn)