The James Birkett/ Rod Sinclair Jazz Guitar Duo was formed in 1997 with the express purpose of rediscovering and recreating some of the most influential guitar music recorded in the 1920s and 1930s. In particular, the duo has been drawn to the acoustic guitar repertoire of jazz and blues artists such as Eddie Lang, Lonnie Johnson, Carl Kress and Django Reinhardt.

Much of this music seems to project a very positive energy and spirit which the duo attempts to extend through their interpretations of a variety of 'standards' in their concert programme. The overall aim is to raise the awareness of the music, which ultimately influenced many of the major figures of jazz and blues guitar.

The duo has been featured at many of the top jazz venues, recent performances including The Corner House (Newcastle), The Studio: Hartlepool,

Newcastle Jazz Festival, Hexham Jazz Festival, Borders Jazz and Blues Festival and Northumbria Guitar Festival.

The duo also appears on the formal concert circuit - most recently Newcastle King's Hall and Sunderland's Tom Cowey Hall - and will be undertaking a series of national dates in 1999/2000 which will include concerts in London, Canterbury, Leeds, Southampton.

A CD and updated information including reviews is available from www.jazzperformance.com

JAMES BIRKETT has been based in the North for several years. He is regularly featured at jazz venues on the circuit, accompanying top American jazz musicians such as Spike Robinson, Kenny Davern and Scott Hamilton, and British soloists of the calibre of Don Weller, Dick Morrissey, Digby Fairweather and Roy Williams. Apart from his appearances as a guest soloist at jazz venues, he works regularly with his trio, quartet and quintet, undertaking concerts, broadcasts and festivals.

He is particularly active in jazz education, leading the new Degree programme in Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music at Newcastle College. His student band 'J.B.'s All Stars' won the 1991 Blackfriars Jazz Competition.

As a writer he has contributed to journals such as 'Archtop' and 'Popular Music'. I.M.P have published his two volumes of 'Jazz Guitar', a comprehensive selection of transcriptions by the great players. In 1995 he received a Doctorate for research undertaken in new approaches to learning and teaching improvisation.

ROD SINCLAIR has an established reputation as an exciting, versatile guitarist. Based in the N.E., he has performed and recorded with acclaimed bands such as The East Side Torpedoes and Chairman Mo and the Blues Party. He is regularly featured on the N.E. gig circuit and has played at major jazz and blues festivals in the region and beyond.

He has guested on albums for artists such as Katherine Tickell, Ian McCallum, and has accompanied jazz artists such as Bobby Shew and blues soloist Johnny Marrs.

Session credits include Spender (BBC TV) and Little Richard Wrecked My Marriage (Channel 4).

He is also a specialist lecturer at Newcastle College and is a regular contributor to magazines such as 'Total Guitar' (Future Publishing).