Popular violinist tames image

Nuttall named associate artistic director of chamber music series

Ashley Garner
The Post and Courier

Geoff Nuttall

Some may recall Geoff Nuttall as the young, long-haired, boot-wearing, motorcycle-riding musician who looked more like a rock star than a classical violinist in the St. Lawrence String Quartet.

Despite his wild appearance, the venerable Charles Wadsworth, Spoleto's artistic director for chamber music, considers Nuttall a sparkling gem of a violinist. So after Nuttall played 13 seasons with Spoleto Festival USA, Wadsworth appointed him associate artistic director of the Bank of America Chamber Music Series.

Wadsworth, who recently turned 79, explains his decision to have an associate artistic director for the first time.

"In recent years, it has been very much on my mind that I needed someone to help me with the details of the chamber music series at Spoleto, and I decided to ask Geoff. He is not only a wonderful musician, but also I like him very much as a type of person who brings a high quality to everything he touches.

"I want the chamber series to continue on here in the right direction," adds Wadsworth, "and the important thing is that when Geoff has an idea about the way something should be done, I respect it immensely."

Interviewed after having performed two chamber concerts, Nuttall says he is honored to have his new position, but he just mainly "hangs out with Charles, which is what I love to do anyway."

Wade Spees
The Post and Courier

Geoff Nuttall in 1997.

"Charles has his finger in so many pies that I basically just help with the programming, the rehearsals and make sure the air conditioner in Memminger is working right each morning," he says.

At 42, Nuttall admits he has changed his style somewhat.

"I have an 18-month-old son, Jack, and he's here with me now, as my wife had to return home last week. I'm looking after him mostly, and I also have a wonderful student from the College of Charleston who is helping me," says Nuttall, who points out that the St. Lawrence String Quartet has been the ensemble-in-residence at Stanford University since 1998.

Nuttall hasn't given up playing in the festival, but he's also brushing up on his jokes as he begins to host some events.

He says his new position has nothing to do with his new, clean-shaven appearance. That had more to do with family issues than public ones.

"I had my hair down to my waist until three weeks ago when I got it all cut off," he says. He said his son was scared, "so we got our hair cut together."

And his beloved motorcycle that he rode across the coun- try?

"I have barely ridden it since Jack was born," says the proud dad. "It's basically because I just don't want to die, or get hurt and not be able to help take care of Jack."

And what does Wadsworth think of his new associate director's image?

"Well, it's true Geoff is now a very settled, married man with an adorable little boy and a loving wife," Wadsworth says. "And, I will say, he has acquired some great new threads.

"But don't let his neat haircut fool you. Underneath, he's a renegade frontiersman."