ARtist
Principally playing in non-classical fields jazz, tango, commercial, rock, gypsy and folk Christian does from time to time cross into more conventional violin and has performed as soloist in ‘straight’ concerti including those by Bruch (Scottish Fantasy) and Mendelssohn. More typically Christian specialises in work by such figures as Astor Piazzolla and John Dankworth whose music has a crossover nature about it. Recent highlights have included concerts with the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Brighton Dome and with Budapest Café Orchestra at Guernsey St James. Christian is the violin soloist in Anne Dudley’s music for BBC’s Poldark, a guest soloist for TV’s Strictly Come Dancing and once even The Repair Shop. He is a frequent contributor to BBC Radio 3’s In Tune.
christian garrick group
He has run a small group since 1990 in which jazz and his most personal material have always been searchingly tried and tested. Two, as yet unreleased, albums were recorded by the original line-up of Pete James (piano), Jeremy Brown (bass) and Tom Hooper (drums) in 1990. Ben Castle (saxophone), Mark Mondesir (drums) and Tom Cawley (piano) have all contributed to the music in the group’s lifetime. The current personnel comprises Alec Dankworth (bass), Dave Gordon (piano), Jez Cook (guitar) and Tom Hooper (drums).
budapest cafe orchestra
Joining the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain stand the Budapest Café Orchestra. Hugely engrossing, immense skill and profound musicianship, the Budapest Café Orchestra is as fantastically entertaining as it is musically impressive.They have won acclaim from fans, fellow musicians and critics alike for their electrifying and entertaining shows.
Joining Christian are Eddie Hession (acc), Adrian Zolotuhin (g) and Kelly Cantlon (db). They're hard to describe, you just have to see and hear them. The BCO journey far and wide across the Balkans and Russia, Klezmer, Romanian Doinas, Hungarian Czardas. This is no simple Tzigane tribute band - expect surprises, diversions and adventures along the way.
More information about the BCO: http://www.budapestcafeorchestra.co.uk
spirit o' stephane
The fabled French fiddler, Stephane Grappelli, is remembered and celebrated by Christian Garrick in a swinging show moulded in the instrumental tradition of the Hot Club Of France and Django Reinhardt. Tunes such as Sweet Georgia Brown, Strike Up the Band and Ain't Misbehavin' together with beautiful ballads like Flamingo, Nuages and The Folks Who Live on the Hill appear alongside less known material such as Songe D’Automne, Place Du Broukere and Piccadilly Stomp.
butterfly’s wing
This unusual quartet is distinguished by the extraordinary compositions and arrangements of pianist Dave Gordon married with the majestic voice of Jacqui Dankworth. The group is completed with the minimalist string section of Christian and Britain’s best jazz cellist, Ben Davis. A recent performance at Blenheim Palace with Maureen Lipman was followed by an invitation to appear at Gibraltar Jazz Festival. Their debut album is recorded and due to be released soon.
men on wire
The long-running duo with guitarist John Etheridge is now in its 15th year. The pair have produced three albums to date: At The Dimming Of The Day (2006) Men On Wire (2009) and When The World Stopped For Snow (2013).
beginning with bach
Following in a long and respectful tradition of jazz musicians gaining inspiration from the music of Bach, the Christian Garrick Quartet takes a wry and light-hearted look at his music in Beginning With Bach. With echoes of the legendary Jacques Loussier the CGQ create a Bach-styled programme including original compositions based on Bach's keyboard preludes, irresistible arrangements of some of his compositions, and Bach-based music from such present day keyboard luminaries as George Shearing and Chucho Valdés.
The secret light show
A 25-piece hyper-group in which violin and a piano-bass-drums trio are shrouded by an 11-piece string ensemble, 4-piece brass section, percussion, accordion, voice and harmonica with original music composed and orchestrated by Christian Garrick. The eponymously titled 1994/95 recording features an array of future stars: Peter James piano, Jeremy Brown double bass, Tom Hooper drums, Johnny Machin percussion, Chris Vaughan accordion, Julian Jackson harmonica, Chris Fish solo cello, Cliff Masterson voice, Chris George violin, Richard Sizer violin, Giles Broadbent violin, Ralph Broadbent violin, Nicole Wilson violin, Caroline Bishop violin, Bruce White viola, Joel Hunter viola, Julia Graham cello, Max Rutledge Turnlund double bass, Pat White trumpet, Gabriel Garrick trumpet, Stuart Dunn trombone, Bill Mee bass trombone, Adrian Halliwell bass trombone.
composer
Christian is a prolific composer, principally for his own groups, also extensively for library production music.
Christian’s first major composed work The Secret Light Show (detailed above). The eponymously titled 80 minute album was recorded in London in 1994/5 by a 25-piece band and released in 1996. Original CD albums are available for purchase here.
In 2004 BBC Radio 3 recorded and broadcast a concert of music specially orchestrated for the BBC Concert Orchestra and his Quartet conducted by Barry Wordsworth in a gala concert that took place at St John Smith’s Square in that year’s Genius Of The Violin Festival.
In 2012 Christian wrote a 25 minute tone poem entitled The Trolls Suite performed and recorded by the Budapest Cafe Orchestra for their third album Legends & Romances. CDs are available for purchase here.
2015’s The Gaelic Chronicles by the Budapest Cafe Orchestra comprises 15 Gaelic folk songs arranged by Christian. CDs are available for purchase here.
television
Christian made his debut appearance on television with the rock group All About Eve in 1989 on Channel 4’s Rocksteady.
...on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2014
Finnish Breakfast TV with Prince of Pianos (and melodicas) David Gordon