Phil Harris

Phil Harris

For the last twelve years, Phil has worked a full time professional musician and teacher for the county music service. His fascination for guitar started at an early age and by the time he was aged thirteen he was studying classical guitar at the Spanish Guitar Centre. He was greatly influenced by the music of Bert Jansch and John Remborn, both regular visitors to the Bristol Folk scene of which Phil was a member. Later it would be the music of Jimi Hendrix that became the dominant influence in bands that he formed although the music of Django Reinhardt also became a deep interest.

During the 80’s Phil worked as a lead guitarist for various show bands and pop groups touring the social, and working men’s clubs, and even doing a spell at holiday camps! He kept his more creative talents alive by joining ‘Avanti Popolo’ a Bristol based theatre group which employed both his writing and performing skills. Phil went on to form the folk band ‘Club of No Regrets’ for which he wrote their album ‘So Long’ and the R and B Rock band ‘Short Elbow’ which still gig at summer festivals and occasional local events by popular demand.

Minor Swing is a band that allows Phil to explore his love of the music of Django Reinhardt. The band evolved from the group Café Nuage, a mainly classical and finger style jazz duo that he formed with aspiring pupil Stuart Carter-Smith, now of "Gypsy Fire". Minor swing went on to tour extensively including six trips to America and has a list of high profile gigs to their credit from London to Los Angeles.

Phil is delighted and proud to have teamed up with another ex-pupil Mathew Hopkins in this latest musical adventure. Minor Swing now includes the broader influences of straight ahead jazz that Mathew has brought with him, with the fusion of influences that have been a part of Phil’s life.

 Matt Hopkins

Matt Hopkins

Matt began playing guitar aged eleven and took his first lessons with Phil, who introduced him to many varied musical styles.

After playing with local rock bands for several years Matt's musical taste turned toward jazz, chiefly the music of Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell.

Following this change in musical direction he began a course of study at London's guitar institute. This time allowed Matt to learn with some of the country's top educators and also to see many great musicians play on the busy London jazz scene.

Many performance opportunities followed, including time spent working with a jazz trio and a vocal led duo.

At the beginning of 2006 Matt teamed up with his former teacher, Phil, playing a variety of guitar based jazz music including pieces by Django Reinhardt and Wes Montgomery.

He currently divides his time between playing in the jazz duo and working as a guitar teacher for Gloucester education service.