ONE of the rising stars of the British jazz guitar scene will perform in Otley in April.

Remi Harris was just seven years old when he bought his first guitar, using money he had saved up from Christmas presents.

He used guitar magazines, CDs and videos to teach himself how to play, inspired by rock legends like Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page.

Then in his late teens Harris discovered jazz guitarists Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery and Stan Getz.

Drawn to the genre's improvisation, freedom and experimentation he continued to learn and play until, at 22, he discovered he had enough gigs to turn professional.

Since then he has toured worldwide, performing at Buckingham Palace and Montreal Jazz Festival, and has appeared on BBC 4 and played live on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 3.

Harris's debut album reached number 7 in the iTunes Jazz album charts and last year he performed as part of the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall with Jamie Cullum who hailed him 'an incredible guitarist'.

Local music fans can judge for themselves when he takes the stage at Otley Courthouse on Friday, April 21.

Despite being classed as a jazz guitarist, Harris professes not to have a favourite genre and also loves rock, blues, heavy metal and hip hop.

That breadth of taste is demonstrated in his playing with his music including jazz and gypsy arrangements of classic songs like Can't Buy Me Love by The Beatles.

His Otley show starts at 8pm and tickets cost £12.

They can be purchased by visiting otleycourthouse.org.uk, calling (01943) 467466 or popping into the Courthouse, on Courthouse Street.