Michael Berk UK any infor?

Subject: Michael Bent UK any infor?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 03:47 AM

My local jazz club has now dropped blues night 2-3 weeks each month and included "acoustic" acts once a month. Some are bluesplayers, others are singer-songwriters in other styles. One upcoming is called Michael Bent. Anyone heard of him? What's he like? Club publicity merely says he "plays solo but fills the hall" or some such!

RtS

Subject: RE: Michael Bent UK any infor?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 03 Mar 05 - 03:47 AM

So I'm not the only one to mistype! The club publicity was wrong. This is Michael BERK!
From his website he sounds like a Tommy Emmanuel/Adrian Byron Burns-style virtuoso. I'll give him a go. May be on my own, though, if publicity doesn't improve. Only 30 of us (including Herself) to seee the surviving Animals last night!

RtS

Subject: RE: Michael Bent UK any infor?
From: BB
Date: 03 Mar 05 - 03:21 PM

He was our 'visiting performer' at Shammick Acoustic Session last month. He's an absolutely brilliant guitarist, 23 years old (might be 24 - I think his birthday's this month), and a really nice guy, to boot. We shall be recommending him to Broadstairs Folk Week for next year. He has a website - www.michaelberk.com . If you get the chance, go and see him: you won't regret it - unless you're a guitarist in which case you might just chop your fingers off in digust. We announced a ritual burning of guitars at the end of the evening!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Michael Bent UK any infor?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 05 Mar 05 - 06:16 AM

Thanks, barbara, I'll definitely give him a hearing.
RtS

Subject: RE: Michael Bent UK any infor?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 09:40 AM

I can see why guitarists might decide to give up after hearing Mike,! 18 in the audience last night, he deserved many more. I gather he's been to the World Fingerpicking Championships in Kansas, where he was the youngest performer. Marvellous playing in a variety of styles, more varied than Adrian Byron Burns; kinder to his axe than Tommy Emmanuel and his introductions are more audible than Bert Jansch but he would be enjoyed by fans of all 3.
RtS

Subject: RE: Michael Bent UK any infor?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 09:49 AM

I've heard of Marcus Bent and Darren Bent - both great players; never heard of Michael Bent though

Subject: RE: Michael Berk UK any infor?
From: BB
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 03:28 PM

RtS, really glad you enjoyed his playing and his presentation. He really deserves to be better known, doesn't he?

Guest, try reading the whole thread, and you'll see that his name is Michael BERK, and that the original posting was a mistake.

Joe, if it's possible to change the title of this thread, it might be helpful to people as dim as this!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Michael Berk UK any infor?
From: BB
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 03:36 PM

OK, Joe, sorry - you did! And Guest still didn't realise!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Michael Berk UK any infor?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 03:39 PM

Thought he was a newsreader!

Subject: RE: Michael Berk UK any infor?
From: BB
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 02:09 PM

This one's a lot younger and prettier!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Michael Berk UK any infor?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 19 May 05 - 03:39 AM

...Michael is returning to Jagz, Ascot UK on June 15th accompanied by fellow acoustic wizard Roland Chadwick. I'll be in Greece but someone may be interested...
(I was the ONLY member of the audience for most of last night for a good jazz quintet, Jonny Boston 5, though another regular turned up at the interval. The band =5; 2 punters, 2 bar staff & sound man = 5!)

RtS

Subject: RE: Michael Berk UK any infor?
From: GUEST,Pete Smith
Date: 19 May 05 - 04:55 AM

We Know Mike Berk well, he`s a great guitarist and an altogether nice bloke, catch him if you can. We are playing a few gigs together with Mike, Roland Chadwick and Amrit Sond in the coming months as part of the "Acoustic Guitar Heaven" roadshow. All info is on our website: www.petesmithjohnbuckley.co.uk. Cheers, Pete Smith.