The History
IVOR MAIRANTS was well known throughout the world to guitarists of all styles. After over 50 years as a professional guitarist,teacher, composer and leading UK musical instrument retailer, he devoted the last few years of his life to composing and writing for the guitar.
Born in 1908 in Rypin, Poland. Ivor Mairants came with his family to the United Kingdom in 1913. He took up the banjo at the age of 15 and became a professional musician at the age of 20.
From the 1930's he was a featured banjoist and then guitarist of many of Britain's leading dance bands including those of Ambrose, Roy Fox, Lew Stone, Geraldo and Ted Heath. In the 1960's and 1970's his outstanding guitar playing was often heard on television, radio, film soundtracks, and many recordings with the popular Mantovani orchestra, and with Manuel and his Music of the Mountains. His recording of the 'Adagio' from Joaquin Rodri-go's 'Concierto de Aranjuez' with Manuel sold over one million copies. His guitar quintet broadcast regularly in the late 1950's on the BBC's 'Guitar Club' series.
Of particular importance to guitarists is the fact that Ivor Mairants devoted so much of his time to writing music and instructional methods for the guitar. His flamenco guitar method has for many years has been a bestseller all over the world. His many other solo and technique books for all styles of guitar playing, from publishers both in the UK and USA, have enjoyed great success.
In the 1950's Ivor Mairants established his central school of dance music in London. All instruments were taught at this innovative establishment, but special emphasis was given to the guitar. Several of his ex-pupils are today Britain's top guitarists. In 1958, together with his wife Lily, he opened The Ivor Mairants Musicentre. This was Britain's first specialist guitar store and it was situated in the heart of London's West End.. For many years some of the world's best guitars and guitar accessories were introduced into Britain by Ivor Mairants at his store. The Ivor Mairants Musicentre became a Mecca for professional guitarists, and for amateur guitarists at all levels of ability. Although the store was sold in recent times to one of the UK's major instrument distributors, it still bears his name and continues to stock one of Britain's finest ranges of guitars. Because of his unique knowledge and music skills, Ivor Mairants was over the years often employed as a specialist consultant for leading instrument makers and importers.
From the 1930's Ivor Mairants was a prolific columnist in several leading music journals including Melody Maker, BMG and Classical guitar. In 1980 his highly acclaimed biography 'My Fifty Fretting Years' was published by Ashley Mark Publishing in the UK, and in 1995 his marvelous opus, 'The Great Jazz Guitarists', probably the most complete collection of note-for-note transcriptions of historic jazz guitar solo's was published by Music Maker Publications in Cambridge, UK.
Ivor Mairants made a unique and outstanding contribution to the world of guitar in Britain. Over the past 50 years, there can be few British guitarists who have not benefited from this contribution. he was a member of the worshipful Society of Musicians, a prestigious and ancient British guild, and a Freeman of the city of London.
In 1997 the Worshipful Society of Musucians inaugurated a new annnual competition the Ivor Mairants Guitar Award, which will remain an important part of the enormous legacy this irreplaceable figure has left for future generations of guitarists.
Ivor Mairants - Born 18 July 1908, Rypin, Poland.
Died 20 February 1998, London, UK.
The Musicentre Today
Reputation, trust and credibility take years, even generations to build up and establish. Only then can a business be described as having a history.
Ivor Mairants, one of the world's most seminally influential guitarists, opened his now world-famous music centre in 1962, when his career as a guitarist, musician, teacher, author and composer was at its peak. The Musicentre has gone on to be as famous as its creator; establishing many brands which are now household names, and always offering an outstanding selection of the most interesting and highest quality instruments, catering to the seasoned professional, leisure and hobby guitarists, and, of course, because of Ivor's extensive tuition activities, the first time buyer. After a truly glittering career, as a performer, composer, teacher and innovative retailer, Ivor and his wife Lily retired in 1994. Ivor re-opened the completely refurbished Musicentre for the next generation later in the same year.
Modern, bright, clean, comfortable air conditioned showrooms, staff, as is the Musicentre tradition, with knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff.
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