Isaac Guillory
b. 27 February 1947, US Navy Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Having played piano and guitar from childhood, Guillory first explored the electric guitar while in Florida. Moving to Chicago in 1965, he studied Theory and Composition at Roosevelt University. He joined the Chicago group the Cryan' Shames in 1967 as bass player, and recorded two albums with them before leaving in 1969. In 1970 Guillory left the USA in order to travel. He made his British debut at the Cambridge Folk Festival in 1971, when he was invited to accompany Al Stewart. Having earned a growing reputation as a session musician, Guillory was signed by Atlantic to a solo contract in 1973—SIDE ONE/TWOappeared the following year. Continuing as a session musician until 1985, he appeared on albums such as A TALL TREE by Peter Sarstedt in 1974, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE by Al Stewart in 1975, and TWO DAYS AWAY by Elkie Brooks in 1976. Proving his versatility, Guillory went on to play on albums by Pacific Eardrum (replacing guitarist Big Jim Sullivan on two '70s collections), Donovan, Buggles, Barbara Dickson(for whom he became musical director) and Nick Heyward. He pursued a solo career from 1986, touring the UK, USA, Europe and Canada. In addition to being a guest lecturer during the Guildhall School Of Music's summer programme, Guillory also wrote all the musical information in THE GUITAR HANDBOOK by Ralph Denyer—a definitive textbook which served as the inspiration for the BBC television series, ROCK SCHOOL. He also accompanied Joan Baez in a televised concert in France and toured with both John Renbourn and Pierre Bensusan. Despite not achieving commercial success in his own right, Guillory thrives in the live environment, where he remains a much in demand virtuoso performer.