In 2008 Brendan McCormack became an Ambassador for The International Guitar Festival. Brendan’s contribution to the Festival from its inception to this date cannot be over emphasised. His artistry and enthusiasm for all things guitar were an inspiration to all the staff involved with the festival. It was during a conversation in 1988 between Brendan and Rob Smith (Festival Director) that Brendan suggested a guitar festival in Wirral. His guiding vision established the festival and set a standard for future years. Brendan’s playing and teaching formed a major part of all of the festivals.

Sadly in March 2009 Brendan died. His loss to the festival and the guitar community is great. Future festivals will feature The Brendan McCormack series of concerts to celebrate his contribution to The International Guitar Festival of Great Britain.

2008 saw two new ambassadors join The International Guitar Festival of Great Britain roster. Brendan McCormack, who sadly died earlier this year and Gary Murphy a local guitarist who has been involved with the festival since its inception 21 years ago, Gary has made an outstanding contribution to the festival and has appeared as a solo player and with various bands that he has fronted.

Gary has tirelessly promoted the festival on local radio stations and at his numerous concerts in pubs and clubs. Gary’s work in Wirral bars has been of great significance to the growing appreciation of guitar music within the community and has generated interest in many listeners for the work of many of the artists who appear at the festival.

Ukranian Galina Vale is a true original, a guitarist of extraordinary daring and virtuosity whose exuberant style and astonishing technique inform her deep fiery performances. Galina has been a frequent visitor to the Festival and we are delighted that she has accepted the role of Ambassador.

“I am really honoured to be chosen as one of the 5 Ambassadors for 20th Birthday year Festival and delightfully accepting your invitation!!”
www.galinavale.co.uk

One of the most frequent visitors to the Festival, Woody Mann never fails to deliver and exciting concert. A player on immense world stature, Mann is known as the foremost blues guitar instructional guru and as a gifted composer.

“It's a pleasure and honor to be asked to represent the festival as Honorary Ambassador for the US. Your support after all these years means a lot to me.  I feel personally invested in wanting the festival to grow and become the annual cultural event that it is. Even from the workshops, my life has been enriched by the students, I have come to know as friends and as growing musicians. It's a good feeling indeed.”
www.woodymann.com

John Etheridge rightly enjoys a glowing reputation throughout the jazz world and beyond and has been described by Pat Metheny as, "One of the best guitarists in the world". He is a prodigiously gifted and creative player whose approach to music can only be described as 'eclectic' as he refuses to accommodate or even acknowledge artificial musical boundaries.

“The Wirral guitar Festival celebrates 20 continuous years -a remarkable achievment and testament to the tenacity and enthusiasm of the organisers and also to the power of the world’s favourite instrument to keep engaging generations of listeners . The Festival is very special in it’s breadth of concerts -no genre of guitar playing is excluded and the preeminent practitioners from all the areas have appeared .It’s such an honour to be included in this pantheon over the last few years, and my own experiences have been totally positive on all levels-organisation, facilities, hospitality, audiences etc. I am sure that another 20 years beckons -and where will the ever-evolving world of guitar playing be then? Wherever the instrument goes it’s a certain bet that the Wirral Festival will be championing and presenting it to a new generation of fans.”
www.johnetheridge.com

Lucky Ranku, regarded by many as Africa’s greatest jazz guitarist, possesses a fearsome technique and dynamic attack on the fret board quite unlike any other African guitarist. His multi-faceted music is high on quality and ideas and with his groups he creates music that stirs the heads, the hands and most definitely the feet.

“I enjoy playing at the guitar festival. Over the years I have presented a big band with the African Jazz Allstars, a small acoustic guitar group with The African Guitar Masters, a duo with vocalist Pinise Saul and African funk with The Township Express. The festival means so much to me and I have always appreciated the fact that I was offered the possibility to present a different project every time. The audience is brilliant, responsive and encouraging and I am very much looking forward to my visit this year with Pinise Saul and our South African rhythm section. We are planning to transform the club into a vibrant South African Township party.”
www.joyfulnoise.co.uk

John Williams is one of the finest classical guitarists of all time. Even though he has delved into other areas of guitar and music that wouldn't be regarded as "classical guitar", he nevertheless remains as one of its most proficient players.

“The International Guitar Festival of Great Britain in Birkenhead is the model of what a Guitar Festival should be - a continuing celebration of the guitar in its many styles, presenting it as an open door to the riches of music from the community at home to traditions and cultures from around the world. I cannot think of a more joyous coincidence than that its 20th anniversary should be part of Liverpool’s European Capitol of Culture 2008 celebrations. This is something for all us guitarists to celebrate, and to congratulate all those involved”.
www.johnwilliamsguitar.com