Deirdre Cartwright is a multi award winning guitarist and composer who became well known presenting the BBC TV’s ground-breaking series Rockschool. She also played with the Afro Latin Jazz group The Guest Stars, recording three albums with them and touring in 17 countries. In 1991 she formed the Deirdre Cartwright Group which recorded five albums and played international festivals from Mexico to Warsaw.

Deirdre now returns as leader with ORGANIK, her first album in 15 years — an uplifting recording that reflects on the guitarists who have shaped her musical journey, while introducing new original material, featuring her new trio with Pete Whittaker (organ) and Gary Hammond (congas/percussion). It captures the sounds of the classic jazz organ/guitar trios of the 1960s — Kenny Burrell/Jimmy Smith, Grant Green/Larry Young, Pat Martino/Trudy Pitts, plus original takes on the Beatles, Doors, Curtis Mayfield and Dire Straits. Swing, grooves and inventive improvisation between these three outstanding musicians. 

‟I made this album for me, wanting to move away from effects pedals, and play without the distraction of technology,” reflects Cartwright.  ‟Playing with Pete and Gary brought spontaneity, imagination and creativity to the whole recording process.”

Deirdre has toured and recorded four albums with ARQ | Alison Rayner Quintet who won Best UK jazz group in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards and British Jazz Awards in 2018 and best Jazz Recording at the Presto Music Awards 2025. She won the public vote for Best Guitarist at the 2019 British Jazz Awards and in 2020 was awarded Services to Jazz with Blow the Fuse at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. She also plays with Sea Change, Carol Grimes, PICNIC featuring Annie Whitehead, Electric Landladies and regularly at Ronnie Scott’s in Soho. She has played with legendary guitarist Tal Farlow, studied in America with Mick Goodrick, toured with Jamaican composer Marjorie Whylie, founded Blow the Fuse with Alison Rayner in 1989 and presented on Radio 3.

‟If there is a more complete guitarist in contemporary music than Deirdre Cartwright – I’d like to know who it is.” Dave Gelly, The Observer

‟Cartwright’s coolly undulating Grant Green shuffle groove is one of the understated pleasure of UK’s contemporary fusion.” John Fordham, The Guardian

‟Cartwright remains that most chameleon of players, able to summon the spirit of others while retaining her own voice.” Andy Robson, Jazzwise

‟Deirdre Cartwright is a deeply expressive guitarist who produces finely wrought, bluesy, soulful melodic lines.” Kevin Le Gendre, Jazzwise