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Michael Chapman was one of the UK's most respected and influential guitarists. He played solo, with a distinctive style incorporating jazz, folk & ragtime.
He played a concert at Itchen College on October 5th 2011 and we got him in the studio beforehand for this revealing interview with Hilary Ball.
Michael Chapman interview.mp3
Michael performed as a professional for 55 years and released more than 50 albums in that time. He worked alongside artists such as John Martyn, Roy Harper, John Mayall, David Bowie, Sonic Youth, James Blackshaw and Mick Ronson.
"I had an art college education and on a rainy night in 1966 I went into a pub in Cornwall, but I couldn't afford to pay to go in. So I said, I'll tell you what, I don't want to stay outside in the rain, I'll play guitar for half an hour for you. They offered me a job for the rest of the summer and I've been at it ever since."
Sadly, Michael Chapman died in September 2021 at the age of 80.
Michael played two amazing sets in the evening, to a packed college hall.
You can listen to them in full here.
Michael played two amazing sets in the evening, to a packed college hall.
You can listen to them in full here.
Michael Chapman-Set1-ItchenCollege-5-10-11-256.mp3Michael Chapman-Set2-ItchenCollege-5-10-11-224.mp3
Itchen Radio presented Michael with a gold disc,
made by the Itchen College Art department.
"Well that's something new!" he said "After all this time!"
Chapman and Blackshaw
On December 15th 2014 both Michael Chapman and James Blackshaw returned to Itchen to play a joint concert. Cal Cashin presents this show featuring interviews with both of them plus exclusive live music from their Itchen show.
Chapman and Blackshaw - 14-1-15.mp3
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