Grateful for the opportunity to play ...
Even after more than 25 years of playing rock, blues, jazz (and Gypsy Jazz), indie pop and country, Gavin Kirk is hungry for more! 2009 finds him performing in a newly formed Gypsy Jazz quintet called “Hochiwichi” in the Seattle area. A specialization compared to the former Chicago based duet, (where Gavin played alongside Thomas Cray) involving haunting vocal harmonies woven into a variety of original compositions and covers, also helping Gavin to develop a repertoire of Jazz including standards, swing numbers, and even Gypsy Jazz, in the style of the legendary Django Reinhardt.

Gavin can also be seen performing with the Foiled Again trio in the Chicago area for their annual shows, backing the classy and wonderful 3 part harmony cabaret lounge act, often under the musical direction of Jeff award winning Doug Peck.

Who would have guessed that this 1995 "guitarist of the year" (from a UK competition involving 128 bands) would find himself, nearly 15 years later, in Seattle, after a 7 year stint in Chicago, pursuing improvisational music.

After studying with private instructors, and then at the Northern Institute of Guitar in Huddersfield, UK, Gavin began broadening his perspective with such diverse courses as Jazz Singing, Theory, Django (Gypsy Jazz) Guitar Styles, Country Swing Guitar and Fingerstyle methods. Performing live over a hundred times on two continents in various capacities, Gavin has developed a confident and original composition style that showcases his soulful voice and skillful guitar playing.

Gavin would like to thank Thomas Cray for inspiring him musically and an approach to life in general during his Chicago years. Also a shout out with thanks to Leavon Archer who got me excited about the guitar in a way I never thought possible, which has turned into a lifetime of pleasure.