Win a Handmade Aylward Gypsy Jazz Guitar

Our great friend Steve Royall from www.hotclub.co.uk is offering everyone the chance to win a Aylward Gypsy Jazz Guitar by way of a competition that will be drawn on the 10th July at L’Esprit Manouche 2005. If you were to order this guitar today, you would be looking at a bill for £1,639 pounds and at least a years waiting list. Tickets are £10.00 each and will be limited to a maximum of 200 ticket sales. Any profits will go towards helping BCAT, (the Birmingham Centre for Arts Therapies), a charity supported every year by the L'Esprit Manouche Festival.

This stunning hand built guitar has an oval soundhole, 14 fret to the body, Indian rosewood back and sides, European spruce top, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, Schaller machine heads, Nonnis tailpiece, Bigtone pickup, Hiscox case -- and it will even be delivered anywhere in the world to the lucky winner.

Rob Aylward is the designer and maker of this fine guitar. He has gained a wonderful international reputation for the beautiful instruments he creates. Indeed previous L’Esprit Manouche artists, including Robin Nolan and Gary Potter, use Maccaferri style guitars lovingly made by Rob.

For your chance to win this beautiful guitar go to www.lespritmanouche.com and hit the ticket section - answer the simple question, (UK gaming rules state that an element of skill or judgement must be involved on prizes of a value greater than £200), to be in with a chance to win one of the best guitars money can buy.

And just a reminder about this years L’Esprit Manouche line up that includes amongst it:

Dominique Pierard & Benjamin Clement – An amazing duo offering variations on the theme. Dominique’s passion for incorporating the Portuguese Fardo style, (learnt from the awesome Fapy Lafertin), into the set shines through in the music.

Dotschy Reinhardt – A talented and beautiful gypsy Diva from Berlin with a phenomenal ‘vamp’ voice. 1930’s songs sultrily swung into 2005. A real treat for everyone.

Lollo Meier – A player of incredible taste and virtuosity. From the very first vibrant note you hear him play you know you have the real feel of Django reincarnated here.

Les Doigts de l'Homme – This band has knocked everyone out – they are amazing! With a tremendously fresh feel, enjoyment, enthusiasm and stunning virtuosity shine through in an energy packed set.

Moreno – Phenomenal player from Paris. The true gypsy’s gypsy guitarist! At last years ‘L’Esprit Manouche’ Matcho Winterstein said that it is most important to be living in Paris at the moment – because that is where Moreno is!

Hepbir / Cosimini Trio – A new format for these veterans of the UK scene. This promises to be a high energy set as Colin and Jon push one another to the max!

Rosenberg Trio – The incredible, unbelievable Rosenberg Trio play their first UK gig. This should be an awesome final set for the festival - another coup for L’Esprit Manouche. We are expecting L’Esprit Manouche veteran, violinist Tim Kliphuis to be flying in to guest with the Rosenbergs – you just can’t keep him away!

Undoubtedly, the highlight of a vintage season of festivals throughout the UK, 2005's event promises to maintain and even exceed the incredibly high standard set over previous years. Tickets are on sale via the website at www.lespritmanouche.com or by calling 0121 249 2303.