Hire Matthew Passingham | Guitarist in Hertfordshire

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From£190

1 hour

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Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Francisco Tarrega, played by Matthew Passingham. Classical Guitar.

There Will Never Be Another You - Harry Warren & Mack Gordon, played by Matthew Passingham

Bags Groove - Milt Jackson, played by Matthew Passingham

About Matthew

A jazz and classical guitarist from Hertfordshire. Always delights audiences with beautiful classical guitar playing and smooth jazz lines.

3 of 14 photos

Guitarist

Welwyn

Public liability insurance of £10 million

Matt focuses on jazz, blues and classical guitar but also plays other styles. He has gained a wealth of experience performing as a soloist and in ensembles such as duets, piano trios, guitar ensemble, small jazz bands, large jazz & big bands, choirs and theatre bands. He has played in a variety of different settings including concert halls, pubs & restaurants, outdoor venues and musical productions. While at university he has gigged weekly in Jazz bands and has given many classical guitar recitals. He has also performed at the Bunagee, Bath and West Dean guitar festivals.

Matthew

5 out of 5

4 verified reviews

Satisfaction

5.0

Professionalism

5.0

Communication

5.0

Punctuality

5.0

Matthew's Reviews

5 out of 5

Matthew was amazing!! Super punctual, we worked together to create a brief, amazingly talented, and super professional. He prvided exactly what we needed and more! 10/10 reccomend.

Reply from Matthew

18 days ago

Thank you very much Eva, it was great to play at your event.

5 out of 5

Matthew is a captivating performer and wonderful to listen to! He can play a range of genres and is a joy to watch :)

5 out of 5

I watched Matthew perform at quite a few concerts at the University of York and each time was a delight. Not only was his playing thoughtful and captivating, but his concerts were always some of the more relaxing and peaceful spaces to enjoy the new music he would bring to the concert series (and very good music at that). If you ever get a chance to see Matthew perform, I would highly recommend it!

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This act has been working with Encore for over 2 years

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Matthew's Song list

Classical Gas - Mason Williams

Cavatina - Stanley Myers

Recuerdos de la Alhambra - Francisco Tarrega

Capricho Arabe - Francisco Tarrega

Lagrima - Francisco Tarrega

Gran Vals- Francisco Tarrega

Prelude No.1 - Heiter Villa Lobos

Prelude No.2 - Heiter Villa Lobos

Prelude No.3 - Heiter Villa Lobos

Prelude No.4 - Heiter Villa Lobos

Prelude No.5 - Heiter Villa Lobos

Mazurka-Chôro from Suite populaire brésilienne - Heiter Villa Lobos

Schottisch-Chôro from Suite populaire brésilienne - Heiter Villa Lobos

Valsa-Chôro from Suite populaire brésilienne - Heiter Villa Lobos

Gavotta-Chôro from Suite populaire brésilienne - Heiter Villa Lobos

Chôrinho from Suite populaire brésilienne - Heiter Villa Lobos

Prélude from Suite BWV 1007 - J S Bach

Allemande from Suite BWV 1007 - J S Bach

Courante from Suite BWV 1007 - J S Bach

Saraband from Suite BWV 1007 - J S Bach

Menuett I from Suite BWV 1007 - J S Bach

Menuett II from Suite BWV 1007 - J S Bach

Gigue from Suite BWV 1007 - J S Bach

Una Limosna Por el AMor de Dios - Agustin Barrios

La Catedral - Agustin Barrios

Vals Op.8 no.4 - Agustin Barrios

Hot club francais - Gary Ryan

Birds flew over the Spire - Gary Ryan

Simple Gifts - Gary Ryan

Manuel Ponce

Prelude in E - Manuel Ponce

Balletto - Manuel Ponce

Hello Francis - John Williams (Guitarist)

Tango en Skaii - Roland Dyen

Valseanna - Sergio Assad

Magic Harmonics - Julia Lange

Father and Daughter - Julia Lange

Funky Swan - Julia Lange

Spanish Romance - Traditional

Afro Blue

All Blues

All of Me

All of You

All the things you are

April in Paris

Anthropology

Autumn Leaves

Black Coffee

Blue Bossa

Blue in Green

Blue Monk

Blue Train

Body and Soul

Cherokee

Crystal Silence

D Natural Blues

Desafinado

Django

Dolphin Dance

Don't get around much anymore

Donna Lee

Dream a little dream of me

A Fine Romance

Footprints

(I love you) for sentimental reasons

Four

Four on Six

Freddie Freeloader

Full House

Have you met miss Jones?

How high the Moon

I got it bad and that ain't good

I love Paris

In a Mellow tone

In a sentimental mood

It don't mean a thing (if it ain't got that swing)

Lullaby of Birdland

Maiden Voyage

Misty

Mood indigo

My funny Valentine

Nardis

A night in tunisia

Oleo

One note samba

Prelude to a kiss

Round midnight

Satin doll

Scrapple from the apple

So nice (Summer Samba)

So What

Some day my prince will come

Song for my father

Sophisticated lady

Stella by starlight

Take 5

Take the A train

There will never be another you

When you wish upon a star

Yesterdays

Sandu

Bags Groove

Fernando Sor, 12 Studies Opus 6

Allegro Moderato

Andante Allegro

Andante

Allegretto

Andante

Allegro

Andantino

Andante Allegro

Moderato

Maestoso

Allegro Moderato

Andante

Fernando Sor 12 Studies Opus 29

Andante Lento

Andante Moderato

Andantino

Lento Assai

Allegro Moderato

Andante

Study 7, Opus 29

Moderato

Lento

Andantino

Study 11 Opus 29

Study 12 Opus 29

24 Progressive Lessons Opus 31, Book 1

Andante

Allegretto Moderato

Andante

Andantino

Lesson 6

Lesson 7

Andante

Allegretto

Cantabile

Moderato

Andante

24 Progressive Lessons Opus 31, Book 1

Andante

Andantino

Lesson 3

Moderato

Lesson 5

Moderato

Andante

Andante Allegro

Andantino Cantabile

Tempo di Marcia, Moderato

Mouvement de Priere Religieuse

Allegretto Moderato

Matthew's Prices

Last updated: 2025

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

Duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£70
Up to 1 hour	£190
Up to 2 hours	£270
Up to 3 hours	£350

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Clients love the peaceful, melodic and sensitive sounds of the classical guitar and the cool, relaxed vibes of the jazz guitar. Audiences enjoy the variety of music which includes popular classical guitar repertoire, modern guitar music, Bossa nova, latin music, and jazz standards.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

I've performed in lots of open jazz events which include the Pheonix in York, the market theatre in Hitchen (Hertfordshire). I've performed at the Bunagee, West Dean, and IGF Bath guitar festivals. I've also performed in Master classes given by famous classical guitarists such as Ana Vidovic, Gary Ryan, Jan Depreter, Daniela Rossi and Alexander Whittingham.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

My Favourite classical guitarists are Ana Vidovic, John Williams and Gary Ryan and my favourite composers of classical guitar repertoire include Tarrega, Barrios, Villa lobos, Bach and Gary Ryan. I transcribe jazz solos by Grant Green, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, and funk guitar solos by Cory Wong and Funky Times. The Beatles also influence my music.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

In the last year I've performed at a corporate event at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

Thats no problem, I'm generally quite flexible. If timings change just let me know and I'll do my best to help your event run as smoothly as possible.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

I don't offer this service between my sets I'm afraid, sorry.

How much time do you need to set up?

It only takes 15-20 minutes to set up. I like to start setting up between 30-60 minutes before I start performing. That gives me time to prepare for the performance and sort any issues if they arise (but hopefully they won't).

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

My set lists are put together to create a varied, smooth and pleasing performance. If there are specific songs or pieces you would like me to play I will happily play them but could with a bit not so that I can prepare it.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

I bring and own all my own equipment, with exception of a PA system. If one is necessary for a gig and the event organiser can't provide one I can look into hiring one. At the venue I need access to a plug socket and a designated space to play in that isn't in anyone's way.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes I absolutely can! Just as long as I'm given enough notice before the event so that I can learn it. I may need to find an arrangement or make my own. There would be a fee added of about £30 to take into account practicing & arranging.

Musicianship

Genres:

Classical, Baroque, Early music, Medieval music, Renaissance, Film / TV music, Contemporary classical, Jazz, Blues, Latin jazz, Modern jazz, Swing, Jazz fusion, Samba, Spanish music, Bossa nova

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Instruments:

Guitar, Classical guitar, Electric guitar, Spanish guitar

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Event types:

Concert, Recording session, Wedding, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Corporate event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Theatre / Show, Private event, Hotel / Restaurant event

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Other skills:

Accompanist, Fluent improviser, Fluent sight-reader

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