This book includes exclusive interviews and comments plus other contributions from the world's greatest jazz guitarists Martin Taylor, Diz Disley, the legendary Coleridge Goode from the Hot Club Quintet--still performing at age 87 and Stephane's own daughter Evelyn.
Paul Balmer was born in Liverpool England in 1951.
He performed as part of the 'Merseybeat' scene from 1962 until 1974.
He also studied classic guitar with the great Brendan McCormack and drums with Ron Parry.
In 1974 Paul joined the BBC at Pebble Mill studios initially as a sound engineer and then trained as a radio producer and television director.He presented many music programmes on BBC Radio 3
Founding his company 'Music On Earth'in 1991 he travelled extensivly making programmes such as 'Africa I Remember' for BBC2.
In 2002 his DVD film Stephane Grappelli a life in the Jazz Century was nominated for a British Academy Award.
The book of the film 'Stephane Grappelli With and Without Django' was well recieved by GRAMOPHONE -..useful and interesting..fine writing..good research sorting the facts from the myths! Guitarist Julian Bream declared it "a fascinating part of jazz history vividly retold!"
In 2007 Paul's film 'Julian Bream My Life In Music' became The Gramophone DVD of the year.
he has written 6 books including contributions to The Penguin Encyclopedia of Music.
His guitar series has been well recieved;
THE FENDER BASS MANUAL
Fantastic! Very, very impressive. - stewmac.com
"The latest volume of this brilliant series is stacked with tips...should be considered an essential purchase for any owner" GUITARIST magazine
This expertly researched edition is superbly illustrated and all very readable given Balmer's friendly and chatty approach JAZZWISE
"Well organised and nicely photographed it's a thorough and worthy purchase" - GUITAR & Bass Magazine
TELECASTER MANUAL
" The ultimate tome ... Superb ... a must for every Telecaster owner" - GUITAR BUYER
"GENIUS!" - MI Pro (Musical Instrument Professional)
"AWESOME!" - The Editor 'PLAYMUSIC'
" ... packed with essential information about one of the greatest guitars that has ever twanged upon this earth ... the right level of insight and detail for players to gain a better understanding and confidence" - GUITARIST
"The complete guide to sourcing, setting up and maintaining your Tele" - TOTAL GUITAR
STRATOCASTER MANUAL
"FAN-STRATING-TASTIC!" - GUITAR BUYER MAGAZINE
"Thanks for the Fender book, I can now tune up and start playing" - HANK MARVIN
"Should come as standard with every new Strat" - STEWMAC.COM
LES PAUL MANUAL
"The definitive book on the Les Paul"- PERFORMING MUSICIAN
"Great for budding rockers - a great reference item for when your Les Paul needs a little extra" - VINTAGE GUITAR
TELECASTER MANUAL
"This manual is one of those books where you'll dip in to find something specific and realise sometime later you've read way more than you originally planned - always the sign of a job well done!" - GUITAR & BASS
"... useful tips ... interesting ... useful comparative measurements ... enough in the way of general information, large photographs, to earn it a place in your bathroom for weeks to come." - PERFORMING MUSICIAN
"A Comprehensive Guide" - GUITAR TECHNIQUES
"64 fascinating pages of repair, maintenance and good old fashioned TLC - the narrative brings the subject matter to life ... good practice whatever guitar you play ... fascinating" - UK ROCK MAGAZINE
"... the ultimate owner's manual for these iconic instruments" - CANADIAN MUSICIAN
"It isn't hard to make a good guitar sound great even on a limited budget - this book is one of the best at showing you how" - VINTAGE GUITAR
"Look's fantastic! , they have become our favorite place to go when looking up facts about Les Paul's, Strat's or Tele's." STEWMAC.COM
He is currently writing The Haynes Acoustic Guitar Manual and A Haynes Electric Guitar Primer.
He lives in Oakley Vale England with Judy Caine and their son Karl
