Described as “one of the most important musicians of his generation" (ThreeWeeks), Simon Thacker is a composer, classical guitarist, improviser and ensemble leader whose ever expanding musical world draws on a deep immersion in diverse cultures. As well as touring as a classical guitar soloist, Simon has also developed some of today’s most prescient ensembles. Simon Thacker’s Svara-Kanti is a world leading Indo-Western community of lineups expanding on Hindustani, Carnatic, Punjabi folk and Baul spiritual influences which has seen him tour and collaborate at major festivals in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, including for an audience of 60 000 in Dhaka. Simon Thacker's Ritmata is his musical laboratory with three of Europe’s leading improvisers (classical guitar, piano, bass, drums). Karmana with cellist Justyna Jablonska seeks a new vision for chamber music. Songs of the Roma with Justyna and Roma singer/violinist Masha Natanson is a new Romany musical journey. All of the music is written or reimagined by Simon. He has taken the backwards recording technique pioneered by Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles to new heights. Simon's pieces have been played on radio in over 50 countries. he has been classical guitar tutor at Edinburgh Napier University and Edinburgh College for 15 years and performed as soloist with many orchestras, including the RSNO. In 2019 Svara-Kanti's Trikala double album won a Scottish New Music Award and Simon was nominated for the Ivors Composer Awards.