From Baroque to Hendrix! - May 11

Steve beside the river

Beautiful Wroclaw!

Roger rehearsing

I was invited to play at a tribute to Hendrix festival in Wroclaw, Poland as the Acoustic Trio with Roger and Rob. The gig was held in a stadium, one of the town's largest venues. Rob's jazz angle gave a certain edge to the Trio performance, but our sound was still delicate and we provided a contrast to the volume of the electric guitar and orchestra that preceded us with incredible Hendrix extravaganzas. Hendrix also played acoustic guitar and the idea was to celebrate both Hendrix and the guitar in all guises. The audience applauded enthusiastically and we on stage really enjoyed the evening.

The city gave itself over to the Hendrix festival, rocking to the strains of Voodoo Chile and Hey Joe but it clearly celebrated all kinds of music of all eras. When Jo and I ventured into the centre the following day, it was alive with the throb of drums, the thunder of electric guitars, the joyous riot of acoustic strumming, whilst heavenly voices drifted through the quieter places.

Wroclaw's history is as varied as its musical sense. It's over 1000 years old and having been in several different countries, it both began and ended up in Poland. The place was as vibrant as the warm weather with colourful Baroque buildings shining in the sunlight. The river wound its way around tree-strewn islands with real gas lamps below cathedral and church spires reaching up into the sky.

My thanks to the promoters for inviting us to be part of that extraordinary experience in such a beautiful place.

The boys

Rob and Steve - the gig