GRAEME DUFFIN

Graeme’s early introduction to the world of guitar was around 10 years old - permission being granted to play his parents hither to ‘denied access’ Florida steel string during a bout of of flu.  In a weekend he was outplaying his mum and dad’s year of practice and Graeme’s love affair with his instrument had begun.

 

Opportunity to perform came playing the rounds of church halls in his native Scotland with his cousin Brian’s acoustic gospel trio.  In later teens, another cousin collaboration with Frank Devlin birthed the jazz rock ensemble Maybe The Floor.  This venture gained the dizzy heights of mentions in Melody Maker, reaching the finals of it’s Rock and POP contest at the Roundhouse, London and merchandise stickers gracing the ceilings of The Madison Hotel - the iconic London musicians doss house.

 

The late 70’s saw Graeme take his stint touring Europe with the everlasting folk outfit New Celeste - still going and better than ever.  Memories of this period pre date a borderless Europe and unified Germany with bags of loose change in every currency and vaguely concerning drives to reach Berlin. 

 

Many and various enjoyable collaborations formed and unformed in the early 80’s - including keeping musical company with friend Tom Morton - before Graeme began his exploration of the wondrous and  mystifying world of jazz.  Early mentors include the legendary saxsophonist Bobby Wishart steering and terrifying the green newbie into musical territories and landscapes previously unimagined.  Shortly followed by a trio combination with world class jazz guitarist Nigel Clark and Dominic Ashworth in beautiful, complex and thrilling improvisation.

 

1984 and an introduction by Tom Morton to Elliot Davis, manager at that time of 4 Clydebank boys going by the odd name Wet Wet Wet.  An invitation to fill the empty guitar slot for a few record company showcases followed.  2023 - and Graeme’s still filling that slot!   A life time career in all of the bands’ combinations still ongoing.  Opportunities, laughter, sadness, sheer joy, breakups, makeups, breakups, friendships, gratitude and love all infused with the songs and sounds of this remarkable and enduring Scottish band.

 

Not only a guitar player, Graeme is a music maker.  Through many sessions in iconic recording studios around the world he honed his artistic and technical skills from the days of tape based recording with gargantuan mixing desks through the evolutional shrinking into digital technology and the current home studio today.  Every conceivable requirement on a lap top!  From 2005 to 2019 Graeme with production partner Sandy Jones and educationalist Ted Blakeway also founded and ran the Foundry Music Lab (FML) in Motherwell, recording and producing a wealth of albums and projects for local and UK wide artists and performers.  

 

Keeping Graeme company throughout is Pamela, wife of 45 years, navigator (Graeme has a terrible sense of direction) and biog writer.  Someone has to do it.  Alongside also is daughter Esther and son Jamie both musicians and artistic partners in numerous collaborations including Ashton Lane.  Memorable moments include European tours from 2016 to 2018 with Ashton Lane, Esther, husband Tim, Graeme, Pamela, 2 young grandchildren, 17 pieces of luggage and memories of New Celeste tours rising from the mists!   Travel still easy and free flowing but the shadow of change had Graeme learning how to apologise in numerous languages while performing to our European friends.

 

‘Spain’, birthed in the strange days of Covid lockdown, gave Graeme the space and time to return to his musical first love of jazz but with all the melodic and emotional sensibilities of a career in the world of pop and soul.  Wonderful remote contributions from world class musicians and friends were a continual delight and allowed him to create a work that is personal, accomplished and deeply joyous.  Responses from those who have discovered the album have been astonishing and hugely encouraging leading into to live performances with his jazz quartet.

 

And for the record Graeme can still be found playing the church hall with his regular faith community!