Nigel Clark - Grand Hotel Europa (2021)

Europe has been abuzz for the last decade about a stunning guitarist from the misty highlands of Scotland. Delighting audiences around the globe with his fiery yet fluid sound, Nigel Clark has emerged as one of Europes top guitarists. The Scottish native has worked with some of the biggest names in jazz and pop in the last 15 years and has toured the world as a leader, sideman and accompanist. Nigel makes his US debut on Arkadia with Grand Hotel Europa, bridging the gap between straight ahead acoustic and contemporary smooth jazz, in a way that will surprise audiences of both genres. The Spanish nylon string guitar is unusual in mainstream jazz (its use in contemporary music is more widespread), but the lines Clark plays are more akin to Jim Hall or Django in their conception. Blended with the silky sound of the nylon strings, Clark creates a new hybrid in the jazz melting pot, spiced with tinges of flamenco, Brazilian, Indian and other world musics. The result is a true contemporary conception, planted deeply in traditional roots.