Launching the Richard Durrant Academy

Richard Durrant Academy

1 March 2017 will be one of the most significant dates of Richard Durrant’s musical career with the much heralded launch of The Richard Durrant Academy.

Richard explains:

“One of my longstanding dreams has been to share the benefits of a broad and diverse musical education. My time at the Royal College of Music was precious, but then so were the jazz chords that my dad taught me, the years of gigging around in the back of a truck or standing on a stage playing Bach.”

Richard’s idea of establishing an online academy is driven by his vision to help guitarists and ukulele players of all levels become more complete musicians – free to play any style of music. Here’s a sneak preview…

But it’s not all hard graft as Richard tells us…

“As a bit of fun we’ll also be offering regular Ukulele Puzzles and Guitar Solos which we hope you’ll all find entertaining whether you’re studying or not.  Check out the first one appearing on my Facebook this Sunday evening, 19 February.”

We’ll be sending you a live link on 1 March so you can begin your studies straight away with:

  • a ten lesson guitar module
  • a ten lesson ukulele module

PLUS

  • a host of further enrichment materials.

The lessons are designed for beginners but are also ideal for more experienced players who want to improve technique and strengthen their knowledge of music.

All prices will be on the Richard Durrant Academy site when it goes live on 1 March.

But don’t miss the Special Offer…

The first 50 subscribers, and those who completed our survey, will receive a special discount. 

See you there!

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Richard Durrant recording session with Ismael Ledesma

Ismael and Richard during the recording session

In addition to two fabulous concerts in Shoreham by Sea recently, guitarist Richard Durrant and Paraguayan harpist Ismael Ledesma spent a week in the studio recording their debut album.

The album will feature original works by Ledesma and Durrant and, whilst every piece they play is collaborative, they did actually write one together: Guarania para Shoreham. Other tracks include Ismael’s Balada del Indio and Amazonas along with Richard’s Crossing to Lindesfarne and Wilbury Summer.

Ismael and Richard checking the sound levels

Ismael and Richard checking the sound levels

You’ll be able to download the new album or purchase the physical CD from this website from the end of March – ahead of the official release dates.

In early April Richard and Ismael will be heading to Paraguay for a concert tour and the South American launch of the Album in Asuncion, Paraguay. The offical UK launch will be marked by a short UK tour in mid-June.

Keep your eye on this website and Richard’s Facebook page for album previews, further gigs and other news.

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Richard Durrant’s two-wheeled adventures

Richard Durrant's cycling tour

In recent years, the great two-wheeled eco-warrior Richard Durrant has cycled over 3,000 miles playing his famous Cycling Music concerts around England and Scotland.

So how did all this begin?

During an average year of playing concerts Richard travels 35,000 miles, which is why he undertakes much of his spring and summer touring on a bicycle carrying his stage show in his panniers and trailer. Being conscious of his disgracefully large carbon footprint, he decided back in 2014 it was time to pay something back to the environment by creating Cycling Music.

Richard Durrant Cycling Music

Cycling Music has become a huge success with tours in 2014 and 2015 during which he cycled the length and breadth of England and Scotland towing a cycle trailer behind him containing the entire show to over 50 venues complete with guitars, music and projection equipment.  

In 2014, Cycling Music raised money for The Big C charity, based in Norwich. The following year he cycled and gigged from Sussex to the Isle of Skye, and raised money for CDF, the Cyclists’ Defence Fund.

His album Cycling Music was created especially for the tours and was featured by the BBC during their coverage of Le Tour 2014. He also appeared on ITV’s Cycle Show talking about his tours and the challenges and experiences he faced enroute.

Have a listen to some of the amazing music from the Cycling Music album in Richard’s online shop where you can also buy the CD or download tracks from the album.

Richard is spending most of February in his studio writing some exciting, new music for the year ahead, but will soon be emerging to give three talks about bicycles and music! These will be given at U3A’s (University of the 3rd Age) in the south east – one in Tenterden and two in Brighton. 

But what about plans for a third Cycling Music UK tour in 2017? Richard says: “I suspect that revisiting my pedal powered adventures will result in another plan to get back in the saddle. Any excuse will do…just hearing the music makes my legs twitch.”

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A sell out start to 2017

Richard Durrant and Ismael ledesma

What a great start to the year with a sell out gig at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in another beautiful musical collaboration between Richard Durrant and Paraguayan harpist Ismael Ledesma.

One of the reasons Ismael has been working with Richard in recent weeks is to record a new joint CD. Featuring pieces by both Ismael and Richard in addition to some original Paraguayan works this is sure to be another hot seller when it is launched in March.

The No 26 Bus to Paraguay

In April the guys are heading off to Paraguay for a tour of solo and duo performances which they are really looking forward to. And a little further ahead in June they are already taking booking for a UK launch tour which will include an open air gig in Brighton, a show at the Stables at Milton Keynes – and many more!

French Ukulele Adventurers

How about a week long musical holiday in a beautiful country house near Bordeaux? The popularity of Richard’s Ukulele Circuit Training has led to him organising this fantastic opportunity of all Ukulele players from beginners to advanced from 16-21 May.

French gite

Each day there will be daily Ukulele Circuit Training sessions as well as individual and group sessions. As well as musical enrichment sessions there will also be lots of opportunities to learn from each other. At the end of the week everything comes together in a concert. But it’s not all work as a week at this inspiring, peaceful and rustic haven will also allow plenty of time for relaxing, swimming, eating and drinking in the French sunshine.

Camp fire

It’s easy to get to as well being close to Bordeaux airport which is well connected to many UK airports and just a few minutes walk from a railway station. There’s only space for 20 people so get in touch with Richard quick on info@richarddurrant.com

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