Stuart Ryan

Taking up guitar at the age of thirteen Stuart, was first influenced by the ‘hair’ metal of the 1980s and the ensuing harder sound of Guns n’ Roses and Metallica. After several years honing his skills by playing along with records he discovered a wider palette of players and began to draw influence from jazz icons Wes Montgomery and Django Reinhardt alongside country bluesmen like Mississippi John Hurt. The turning point, however, came when he saw his hero Martin Taylor MBE perform live. Suddenly it all clicked into place and Stuart began to compose his first fingerstyle guitar pieces.

That was almost twenty years ago and since then he has become regarded as one of the UK’s finest fingerstyle concert guitarists and composers for the instrument. Named as Guitarist Magazine’s ‘Acoustic Guitarist of the Year’ in 2002 he soon came to the attention of Martin Taylor himself who described him as ‘One of the finest of his generation’ and invited him to perform at his Kirkmichael Guitar Festival. Extensive concert work soon followed and it wasn’t long before he had played at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues.

Although his technique is formidable, his compositions and arrangements focus on melody and tone first and his pieces are studied by guitarists the world over.

“A World class guitarist, one of the finest of his generation.” Martin Taylor MBE

“Will be one of the greatest guitarists this country has produced…a genius.” Eric Roche

“Super Talented” Acoustic Magazine

“My jaw dropped when you started playing!” Chris Difford (Squeeze)