Stuart Willis was born in the North East of England and like many people of his generation was inspired to take up the guitar by the new wave music of the late 1970s. However, a chance encounter with a Julian Bream lute LP and the music of Django Reinhardt, inspired him to take up classical and jazz guitar, as well as the lute.
For many years Stuart has performed throughout the UK and Europe at festivals, including the York Early Music Festival, the Bury St Edmunds Festival and the Grassington Festival, and many university concert series.
Stuart’s wide ranging interests include accompanying singers, both early music with lute and theorbo, and jazz songs with electric guitar.
He has co-authored four acclaimed volumes of baroque anthologies for guitar with Jens Franke which were published by Schott. His CD of French baroque music has also received widespread critical acclaim.
Stuart has extensive experience as a teacher of lute, guitar and jazz guitar, with many of his students achieving Grade 8 and going on to study music at university level. He is also guitar and lute teacher for the University of Durham music department.
Stuart H. Willis 