The Kymaera Duo have been performing together for over twenty years. Highlights of the partnership which features guitarists Shane Hill and Simon James have included appearing with the classical vocal legend Maria Ewing as well as the late UK jazz vocal legend Frank Holder - who as the lead vocalist for the John Dankworth Seven had once appeared on the same bill as Nat King Cole. Further projects have included Hill and James being commissioned by MCI recordings - in conjunction with Corcovado music - to record an album celebrating the music of the guitarist composer Antonio Carlos Jobim which was endorsed by Ana Jobim - the late Antonio Carlos's wife.
Kymaera have played many festivals including the Lisbon Festival and Grassington Festival. They have also performed at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and performed with Maria Ewing in a gala performance at the Central Hall Westminster in the presence of The Earl and Countess of Wessex. Aside from the duo's performances, it has produced a number of CDs for record companies. Recordings have been published and released by BMG, Universal and Demon records among others. Kymaera were also commissioned by Dick Leahy Music to record arrangements of George Michael's melodies with strings in conjunction with Warner Brothers. More recently Kymaera have created a Trio with Sir Willard White - for booking details click here.
Simon James studied with the Flamenco guitar legend Paco Pena and at Trinity College of Music as well as Leeds College of Music. He also co-founded the Grammy nominated guitar instrumental ensemble Acoustic Alchemy - that went on to sell a million records. Shane Hill is a first class graduate of Leeds College of Music and was also mentored by the late Jazz guitarist legend Tal Farlow, whom he wrote a book about with Farlow's full co-operation. Shane has also appeared with many of the UK leading jazz musicians including the composer musician Mike Mower who has produced and arranged for the virtuoso flutist Sir James Galway among others.
Sample track medley Moon River, The Girl From Ipanema and Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
