The Grammy award-winning musician is in concert in Maó tonight

Es Migjorn Gran names street in honour of David Russell

Russell. Retains fond memories of Es Migjorn Gran

In 2003 the man considered the best guitarist in the world was made an Adopted Son of the Menorcan village where he spent most of his childhood

C.M.W..Maó

The classical guitarist, David Russell, received a second honour from the village of his childhood yesterday when a street was named after him; the first recognition being two years ago when he was named an Adopted Son of Es Migjorn Gran.

Born in Glasgow in 1953, he moved with his family to Menorca at an early age and lived in Es Migjorn Gran until leaving to further his music studies abroad. He has gained a worldwide reputation as a classical guitarist and this year received the Grammy award for the best solo instrumentalist in classical music, beating several other world-class musicians who had also been nominated in this category. Nowadays he lives in Galicia with his wife, María José, but travels abroad to give concerts and occasionally returns to Menorca.

Yesterday evening the musician´s portrait was unveiled in the Council Chamber of Es Migjorn´s Town Hall where it now keeps company with portraits of other illustrious residents of the village. The Mayor of Es Migjorn Gran, Pere Riudavets, opened the proceedings, congratulating the guitarist and speaking of the admiration in which he is held by his former neighbours and by Menorca in general. David Russell replied by saying that he was honoured by the acknowledgement and that this has been an exceptional year for his professional life which has given him an incentive to carry on working as a musician and that the acts in Es Migjorn were an incentive to be a better person.

Following the unveiling of his portrait the musician was accompanied by the authorities to the street which now bears his name where the Es Migjorn Gran Band paid its own homage to the famous guitarist. Together with the Mayor, Councillor Marc Pons and the Band´s Director, Isaac Mascaró, he then unveiled the plaque which read "Avenida David Russell".

As part of the Summer 2005 Maó Music Festival, David Russell will be in concert tonight at the Teatre Principal, the performance starting at 2130 hrs. - an opportunity to enjoy the playing of the man considered the world´s best guitarist.