Guitarist

Declan Zapala

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About Declan

★★★★★-reviewed concert guitarist and UK's biggest live Twitch streamer guitarist. All audio equipment provided at no extra cost
Guitarist
Watford
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Described by BBC Radio 3’s Max Reinhardt as “virtuosic and committed, with stunning sonic awareness”, ­Declan Zapala was born into a musical family in Watford in 1985 and first started learning the guitar at the age of 10. In his subsequent 20 years as a guitarist, he has performed on BBC Four television, as well as BBC Radio 3, and has performed internationally, achieving great success as a solo artist for his unique and innovative classical & percussive guitar concerts. Declan regularly performs at international Fringe festivals, and has received numerous ★★★★★ reviews worldwide for his sell-out solo shows. In his formative years Declan studied at the Royal College of Music in London and graduated with Distinction in 2012 from their Master of Performance programme. During his time there he was trained by guitarists Craig Ogden, Gary Ryan, and Carlos Bonell. Before studying at Masters level Declan studied a Bachelors degree in Music & Sound Recording on the internationally acclaimed Tonmeister course at the University of Surrey. During his time there he gained recognition for his compositional skills in the finals of the 2006 Joyce Dixey Composition Competition, receiving special commendation for a concerto he wrote for guitar trio and string orchestra. Conversely, Declan was recognised for his skills as a classical sound engineer when he graduated in 2008, winning the AMS Neve Prize for Most Natural Classical Sound Recording. Declan has not only had recognition in radio, TV, and academia but has had notable online success. His self-produced performance video of his percussive solo composition ‘Crystal’ received a quarter of a million views when it went viral at the end of 2013, and his video of his composition ‘Philomena’, a piece he wrote for his mother, has raised over $2000 for the charity ‘the Philomena Project’. Declan’s videos now feature regularly on the infamous CandyRat Records. This year saw the release of Declan’s debut album “Awakenings” which was launched at a packed out Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall and has received rave reviews from the Guardian, BBC Radio 3, and Guitar Techniques Magazine.

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This act has been working with Encore for over 6 years
5 gigs
Experienced: 5 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Classical, Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, Film / TV music, Folk, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Jazz, Gypsy jazz, Latin jazz, Easy listening, Light music, Originals, Pop, Acoustic, African music, Latin, Scottish music, Spanish music, French music, Cuban music, Choro, Bossa nova, Arabic, Ambient
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Private event, Wedding, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Corporate event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show
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Other skills:
Composer, Audio engineer, Producer, Sound technician, Instrumental teaching, Composition teaching
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Declan's Song list

SOLO REPERTOIRE
SPANISH:-
Asturias (Leyanda) - Isaac Albéniz
Homenaje - Manuel De Falla
Dance of the Corregidor - Manuel de Falla
Dance of the Miller - Manuel de Falla
Capricho Árabe - Francisco Tárrega
Gran Vals - Francisco Tárrega
Pepita (Polka Mazurka) - Francisco Tárrega
SOUTH AMERICAN:-
A Day in November - Leo Brouwer
Deux Airs Populaires - Leo Brouwer
Deux Themes Populaires Cubains - Leo Brouwer
Felicidade - A.C. Jobim
Dansa Brasilera - Jorge Morel
Sons de Carrilhoes (The Sound of Bells) - João Pernambuco
Verano Porteño (Tango) - Astor Piazzolla
Choro No.1 - Heitor Villa-lobos
Cinq Preludes - Heitor Villa-lobos
Etude No.1+11 - Heitor Villa-lobos
El Choclo - Ángel Villoldo
RENAISSANCE:-
A Fancy - John Dowland
Forlorn Hope Fancy - John Dowland
Praeludium - John Dowland
Ballet - Michael Praetorius
BAROQUE:-
Air on a G String - J.S. Bach
Cello suite No.1 (BWV 1007) - J.S. Bach
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - J.S. Bach
Lute Suite in E minor (BWV 996) - J.S. Bach
Prelude, Fugue, & Allegro (BWV 998) - J.S. Bach
Sonata in A major K208 - Domenico Scarlatti
Sonata in A major L.483 - Domenico Scarlatti
Fugue - Silvius Leopold Weiss
CLASSICAL/ROMANTIC:-
Bridal March - Richard Wagner
Clair de Lune - Claude Debussy
La Fille Aux Cheveux de Lin - Claude Debussy
I Giorni - Ludovico Einaudi
Salut D'Amour - Edward Elgar
Pavane - Gabriel Faure
Nearer My God to Thee (from Titanic) - Lowell Mason
Wedding March - Felix Mendelssohn
Gabriel's Oboe (from 'The Mission') - Ennio Morricone
Canon in D major - Johann Pachelbel
Verano Porteno (Tango) - Astor Piazzolla
O Mio Bambino Caro - Giacomo Puccini
Nessun Dorma - Giacomo Puccini
Gnossienne No.1 - Erik Satie
Gymnopedie No.1 - Erik Satie
Gymnopedie No.3 - Erik Satie
Ave Maria - Franz Schubert
20TH CENTURY CONCERT REPERTOIRE:-
Six Balkan Miniatures - Dusan Bogdanovic
Nocturnal - Benjamin Britten
Elogio de la Danza - Leo Brouwer
Koyunbaba - Carlos Domeniconi
Hommage a Villa-lobos - Roland Dyens
Songe Capricorne - Roland Dyens
Albino - Thomas Leeb
Sonatina Meridional - Manuel M. Ponce
Angel - Eric Roche
The Per-U-Lator - Eric Roche
Roundabout - Eric Roche
Steel Road - Eric Roche
Impromptus - Sir Richard Rodney-Bennet
Scenes from the Wild West - Gary Ryan
La Passione - Andrea Talmelli
All in Twilight - Toru Takemitsu
Sonata ("Omaggio a Boccherini") - Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Broken Rhapsody - Declan Zapala
Crystal - Declan Zapala
Philomena - Declan Zapala
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POP/FOLK ARRANGEMENTS:-
Heartbeats - Jose Gonzalez
Make you Feel My Love - Adele (written by Bob Dylan)
Down by the Sally Gardens - Anon (Trad. Irish)
Kissing You - Des'ree
Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
She Moved Through the Fair - Padraic Colum & Herbert Hughes
All you Need is Love - John Lennon/Paul McCartney
Here Comes the Sun - John Lennon/Paul McCartney
Wild Mountain Thyme - Francis McPeake
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
No one - Alicia Keys
Marry Me - Train
Neon- John Mayer
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer
A Thousand Years - Christina Perri
Three Times a Lady - Lionel Richie
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JAZZ STANDARDS:-
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
The Girl from Ipanema - A.C. Jobim
Nuages - Django Reinhardt/Stephane Grapelli
Solid as a Rock - Ella Fitzgerald
Can't Take That Away From Me - George Gershwin
All The Things You Are - Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein
Fly Me to the Moon - Bart Howard
All of Me - Seymour Simons & Gerald Marks
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DUO REPERTOIRE
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BAROQUE/CLASSICAL:-
Air on a G String - J.S. Bach
Ave Maria - J.S. Bach
Be Thou With Me - J.S. Bach
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring - J.S. Bach
Piano Concerto in F Minor (2nd Movement) - J.S. Bach
Sheep May Safely Graze - J.S. Bach
Sinfonia (from Christmas Oratorio) - J.S. Bach
Minuet (from String Quintet) - L. Boccherini
Prince of Denmark’s March - J. Clarke
Trumpet Tune - J. Clarke
Pavane - G. Fauré
Panis Angelicus (O Lord Most Holy) - C. Franck
Caro mio Ben - G. Giordani
Processional (from Royal Fireworks Music) - G.F. Handel
Processional (from St. Anthony’s Chorale) - J. Haydn
Intermezzo (from Cavalleria Rusticana) - P. Mascagni
Wedding March - F. Mendelssohn
Rondeau - J-J. Mouret
Ave Verum Corpus - W.A. Mozart
Laudate Dominum - W.A. Mozart
Canon in D - J. Pachelbel
Pavane for a Dead Princess - M. Ravel
Ave Maria - F. Schubert
Waltz of the Flowers (from Nutcracker) - P.I. Tchaikovsky
Bridal Chorus - R. Wagner
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LATIN / SOUTH AMERICAN:-
Tico Tico - Z. de Abreu
Quizas, Quizas, Quizas - O. Farrés
Luna Lunera - T. Fergo
Y Bolero - M. de Jesus
El Dia Que Me Quieras - C. Gardel
Agua E Vinho - E. Gismonti
Paçoca (choro) - C. Machado
Piazza Vittorio (Choro Maxixe) - C. Machado
Sambossa (Bossa Nova) - C. Machado
Evocation - J.L. Merlin
La Cumparsita - H. Pagano
Chiquilin de Bachin - Astor Piazzolla
Sway Quien Sera - P.B. Ruiz
Pablo the Dreamer (Adios Muchachos) - J. Sanders
The Peanut Vendor - M. Simons
El Condor Pasa - Traditional Peruvian
Cielito Lindo - Traditional Mexican
La Bamba - Traditional Mexican
La Cucaracha - Traditional Mexican
Estes Indiferente - Nevaldo Veranes
El Choclo - Á. Villoldo
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JAZZ STANDARDS:-
All of Me - Seymour Simons & Gerald Marks
Almost Like Being In Love - Frederick Lowe
Autumn Leaves - Johnny Mercer
Blue Bossa - Kenny Dorham
Blue Tango - Leroy Anderson
Cold Duck Time - Eddie Harris
Don't Get Round Much Any More - Duke Ellington
Fiesta - Leonard Whitcup
Fly me to the Moon - Bart Howard
Freddie the Freeloader - Miles Davis
A Foggy Day - George Gershwin
The Girl from Ipanema - Antonio Carlos Jobim
Have you Met Miss Jones - Richard Rodgers
Here's that Rainy Day - Jimmy Van Heusen
How High the Moon - Morgan Lewis
In a Little Spanish Town - Mabel Wayne
La Fiesta - Chick Corea
Little Sunflower - Freddie Hubbard
Misty - Erroll Garner
Moonglow - Will Hudson
More - Riz Ortolani & Nino Oliviero
The More I See You - Harry Warren
Nostalgia in Times Square - Charles Mingus
One Note Samba - Antonio Carlos Jobim
Perdido - Juan Tizol
Satin Doll - Duke Ellington
Solid as a Rock - Ella Fitzgerald
Someday my Prince Will Come - Frank Churchill
Spanish Harlem - Jerry Leiber & Phil Spector
They Can't Take That Away from Me - George Gershwin
There Will Never be Another You - Harry Warren
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POPULAR/FOLK ARRANGEMENTS:-
All you Need is Love - The Beatles
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
Down by the Sally Gardens - Trad. Irish
Heartbeats - J. Gonzalez
Moondance - Van Morrison
She Moved Through the Fair - P. Colum & H. Hughes
Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Skinny Love - Bon Iver
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - J. Meyer
Three Times a Lady - L. Richie
Wonderful Tonight - E. Clapton
Yesterday - J. Lennon & P. McCartney

Declan's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£235
Up to 1 hour£235
Up to 2 hours£305
Up to 3 hours£380
Declan
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
4 verified reviews
Satisfaction
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Declan's Reviews

From Encore customers:

KW
Karl W
10 months ago
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5 out of 5

We were honoured to have Declan perform at our wedding celebrations. Not only is he exceptionally talented, but he is one of the nicest people we have ever met. He made the whole experience appear effortless and was happy guide us on creating the refined yet relaxed atmosphere we wanted. We simply cannot recommend him highly enough. Truly outstanding!

DS
Darren S
1 year ago
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5 out of 5

Declan played at my 50th birthday. What a privilege to have him play! He’ll deliver classical standards at such a high level of ability but also take your breath away with outstanding original solo playing percussive pieces too, if required. I saw my guests jaws drop open in awe and stay open mouthed until he’d finish a piece; to see and hear this experience of virtuosity live literally has this effect on people. Enthralling! Technically brilliant guitarist and composer/artist. Great musician. Really nice man!

EV
Emma V
2 years ago
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5 out of 5

Declan played for us at our Civil Partnership ceremony, at the Fitzrovia Chapel in London. It was a real pleasure having him there. He was both friendly and professional and his performing was absolutely superb. Declan played whilst I walked down the Aisle, during signing of the register and also before/after for our guests to enjoy, everyone commented on how much they enjoyed the music and Declan’s style of playing. We would highly recommend Declan and look forward to seeing some of his shows in future! Emma & Euan.

HH
Heather H
4 years ago
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5 out of 5

We were REALLY DELIGHTED with Declan’s concert last Saturday. He was THE MOST EXCITING PERFORMER. for our one-hour Coffee Concert, he gave us an excellent first half-hour of classical/traditional guitar music which was really beautifully played. For the second half hour he treated us to some of his REALLY EXCITING AND MUSICAL PERCUSSIVE GUITAR PIECES. IT WAS WONDERFUL TO LISTEN TO, but almost unbelievable to watch! We shall be inviting him back!

From other customers:

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Https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10306550_668565396556001_4889292152506690980_n.jpg?oh=1bcf0cbda161930d983e8095462be649&oe=5A3DD4CD
9 years ago

Startlingly original" - Classical Guitar Magazine

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Https://soundcloud.com/declanzapala/bbcradio3
10 years ago

Stunning Sonic Awareness" - BBC Radio 3

Read all 5 reviews