Fred Wisdom is restless. He spends every second of every day figuring out harmonies whirling around in his head, all wanting to make themselves heard, sometimes without waiting their turn.

Fred began playing the guitar at an early age under the guidance of his father who played guitar for the local church of God of Prophecy in Wolverhampton (UK). His father’s musical taste never deviated too far away from Gospel Negro Spiritual Standards but if he could find a record by an outsider that had ‘Gospel’ on it, it might make its way into the record collection, “I remember there being some Johnny Cash and Charley Pride in the record collection”, recalls Fred. He lived off that style until he was 10 years old when he was given his first pocket radio; that’s when he fell in love with the music of the world.

Early 1991 Fred fronted a university band called 'Fred Wisdom's Flying Mail Box' as a singer and lead guitarist. He played folk rock with elements of jazz, blues and touches of reggae.

In April 1992, Fred made a trip to Spain where he studied classical guitar with guitar virtuoso Manuel Barruecos at the Music Conservatory in Segovia. He was also commissioned to play at the Womad festival in Cáceres - whilst performing he was spotted by a flamenco guitarist who became his friend and teacher. Back in England he continued his study of flamenco guitar for several years. He set up 'La Juerga' Flamenco guitar Society, played at various 'peñas' (flamenco gatherings) and studied advanced flamenco guitar techniques with master flamenco guitarist Juan Martín.

In 1994 Fred and fellow composer, Surinder Sandhu, formed a two-year project called ‘Full Circle’ which fused flamenco, jazz and Northern Indian classical music. They carried out residential workshops in local schools, collaborated and performed with 'Caliche', Birmingham based South American band, attended interviews on radio and TV and were commissioned by BBC West Midlands to perform their own composition on ‘Children in Need’.

Although Fred was enjoying experimenting with diverse styles he could not help but feel a strong pull towards his roots - gospel blues and jazz and so in 1997 embarked on a period of study of jazz composition at Birmingham University and combined this with jazz guitar master classes at the North Wales International jazz guitar school with Jimmy Bruno, Randy Johnston, Trefor Owen, Martin Taylor, John Etheridge, Jack Wilkins and Adrian Ingram.

Fred's voice and guitar style drew the attention of Dave Rogers, a founder member of Banner Theatre, a small-scale, multi-media cabaret theatre company which Fred then joined in 1999 as singer, co-songwriter, composer, guitarist and actor. They travelled all over the UK and in Canada, performing mainly issue-based subjects. Fred was one of the new generation who helped change the face of Banner by introducing many different musical styles which is evident on their 'Black and White in the Red' album which features Andy Hamilton & The Blue Notes and Basil Gabbidon of 'Steel Pulse' fame.

In 2003 Fred was a finalist in the prestigious UK Songwriting Contest, which is sponsored by The Brit Trust and The British Academy of Songwriters and Composers, with his track 'Black Guy' and in 2004 he gained two runner up places in the Jazz/blues category of the contest with his songs 'You' and 'Copyright on Pain'.

Coming from a gospel background, his interest in flamenco, jazz and blues confirms that he is a truly versatile musician.

www.fredwisdom.moonfruit.com