Category Archives: Guest

Peta Webb and Ken Hall on 21 October

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Peta Webb and Ken Hall

Peta Webb, a Londoner with an Irish background, formed her highly-acclaimed individual vocal style through the influence of Irish traditional singers, especially Margaret Barry, Sarah Makem and Sarah and Rita Keane. Peta believes firmly in the importance of learning directly from traditional singers wherever possible and has taken part in many collecting trips. Ken Hall, originally from Liverpool, started singing at the Islington Folk Club and was much influenced by Bob Davenport, Reg Hall and the traditional singers he heard there. He later developed an interest in the Northern Irish singing style of Joe Holmes and Len Graham, Kevin Mitchell and Roisin White as well as the satirical and humorous songs of Sean Mone.

In a review of their CD ‘As Close As Can Be’ (Fellside) in Living Tradition, Roy Harris comments: ‘Peta and Ken … sound natural and at home with everything they sing whether solo or in duet … each [has] a fine voice … Every track is a gem.’

Owen Woods

In support is New Roots finalist 2011 Owen Woods, a solo melodeon player, who performs traditional music from all over the world. Schooled in classical piano from an early age, he rediscovered folk music and picked up the melodeon some 9 years ago. Now playing for ceilidhs regularly, Owen has developed a personal style of performance, marrying tunes from different cultures and different periods. Prepare for strange time signatures, fluctuating rhythms and lush harmonies.

Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available. Reserve tickets via the contact box on the ‘About the club’ page.

Singaround showcase with Akabella on 7 October

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Akabella

Singarounds continue every Friday at Norwich Folk Club, with a special showcase on 7 October featuring local all-women acapella group ‘Akabella’ with a diverse repertoire, including songs from Georgia, Namibia, Bulgaria, Macedonia and South Africa, as well as Britain. All welcome, entry free. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

James Findlay on 16 September

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James Findlay

James Findlay

We look forward very much to welcoming James Findlay back – you may remember that James last performed at the club in November 2008, in support to Tim Laycock, after reaching the finals of New Roots earlier in the same year. Just over a year later, he went on to win the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award.

An accomplished guitarist and fiddler, James is influenced by all genres of music, but his love lies in traditional English folk music and particularly in ballads.

Judging the Young Folk Awards, Bellowhead’s Jon Boden exclaimed, ‘what a voice!’ 2011 sees James’ debut album released under the major folk label Fellside.

Please let us know if you would like to reserve tickets (£8 non-members), by email via the ‘About the club’ page. Bring your own refreshments. Hot drinks available.

Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman on 8 July

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Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman

Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman make a welcome return to Norwich on Friday 8 July. Dave and Anni joined forces in 1985, after spending many years around the folk club scene, in which time they featured on several albums made by other performers. Anni has developed a specialist repertoire of songs originating from her native North East, and Dave has been writing songs in traditional vein since 1982, many of which are widely sung and have become part of the general song repertoire of singers all over the world. ‘If you love traditional music delivered with strength, clarity and simplicity, you certainly won’t be disappointed with this duo’ (Cornwall Folk Festival).

Rosie Hood

In support is Rosie Hood, an unaccompanied singer originally from Malmesbury and another of this year’s New Roots finalists. Rosie is fairly new to solo performance, having previously sung in bands and throughout school. Her experience of sessions and folk clubs has sparked an interest in the history of the songs she sings, particularly those of her native Wiltshire and those collected by Alfred Williams. Rosie also sings a variety of songs from around the British Isles, learned from many sources, including the sessions of Glasgow (where she studies Design) and Sidmouth Folk Week’s legendary Middle Bar.

Tickets £8 (non-members). Reservations by email on the form found on the ‘About the Club’ page. Bring your own refreshments. Hot drinks available.

Dónal Maguire on 10 June

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Dónal Maguire

Dónal Maguire has been singing and playing in public on and off for forty years. With an exceptional repertoire of Irish traditional songs and a unique selection of English songs, Dónal is known for his outstanding unaccompanied singing, but also has significant other ‘strings to his bow’, being widely recognised as one of the finest players of Irish dance music on mandolin and tenor banjo. A recent project has centred around Michael Davitt, arguably one of the most celebrated statesmen in nineteenth-century Irish history.

Jessica and Tom

In support on 10 June, we welcome recent finalists at New Roots in St Albans, Jessica and Tom, who have been singing together for four years, performing mainly traditional English songs and ballads. They’ve performed in a variety of events and concerts; at local pubs and cafes and even with an Opera company. Inspired by the singing of Martin Carthy, the Waterson Family and Spiers and Boden, they have a laid-back style, singing in close harmony with the occasional bit of accompanying guitar.

Bring your own refreshments. Hot drinks available. Tickets are £8 (£5 members) and can be reserved by emailing via the ‘About the club’ form.

Karen Tweed and Kevin Dempsey on 8 April

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Karen Tweed and Kevin Dempsey

On Friday 8 April we welcome Karen Tweed, a deft and dextrous piano accordion player and a leading light on both UK and international folk scenes.

With a musical approach that is informed by tradition, Karen breaks convention to take acoustic music to a new realm.

Joining Karen is guitarist, singer and songwriter Kevin Dempsey, who is renowned for his fresh and vibrant arrangements of traditional and contemporary tunes and whose vocals bring both meaning and feeling to the lyrics. Tickets £8 (non-members). Please email via the link on the ‘About the club’ page to join the list. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

On Friday 1 April the singaround will focus on the theme ‘All Fools’.

Pete Morton on 18 March

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Pete Morton

Pete Morton has been hailed as one of England’s finest songwriters – a voice of reason in these troubled times. The songs on Pete’s brand-new album, ‘Economy’, present a typically lively, moving and often sideways look at the modern human condition, whether through the eyes of a lady gorilla, the ever-changing setting of a city café or the sweet voice of an Indian call-centre operator. ‘Disobedience’ strikes a particularly topical note in summoning the peaceful spirit of Gandhi to fight oppression. Other well-loved songs from Pete include ‘Another Train’, ‘The Shepherd’s Song’ and ‘Six Billion Eccentrics’.

In support on Friday 18 March will be up-and-coming young songwriting duo Luke Hirst and Sarah Smout. Cellist Sarah has played all over the UK alongside Rosie Doonan and has shared stages with a number of well-known performers, including Kate Rusby. An accomplished guitarist, Luke has been playing gigs since 2004, with TV coverage on BBC and airplay on a number of radio shows.

Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee will be available. Tickets £8. (Save seats by emailing via the ‘About the club’ page.)

PS The toast of the Edinburgh fringe this year, Pete Morton’s alter-ego, Geoffrey Chaucer Junior, will be presenting  ‘The Miller’s Tale’, a medieval musical monologue of poetry, comedy and song, at the Christ Church Centre at 8 pm on Saturday 19 March. Tickets £6/£4.

Tom McConville and David Newey on 11 February

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David Newey and Tom McConville

Tom McConville is well known for his virtuoso fiddle-playing and interpretation of traditional and contemporary songs, and was chosen as BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year in 2009. His live performances include fast, rhythmic dance tunes, beautiful slow airs and great songs, all presented with his own inimitable sense of humour and style.

David Newey is a talented guitarist, songwriter and singer, and was a finalist in the Young Traditional Musician of the Year contest of 2003.

Reserve tickets by contacting us via the form on the ‘About the club’ page. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston on 17 December

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Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston

As well as being a superb vocalist and double bass player, Miranda Sykes is a great guitarist and slips effortlessly between genres.

Miranda has been touring with Show of Hands and is now working on her fifth solo album project. She is joined by Rex Preston; the most virtuosic mandolin player in the UK today. The fluidity of his style augments Miranda’s songs beautifully. For a taster song clip, click here.

Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available. Let us know if you would like us to save tickets (£8 non-members) by emailing via the ‘About the club’ page.

The club meets every Friday in December, with a Christmas Singaround on 24 December (8-10.30 pm, free entry) and a New Year’s Eve Party on 31 December (8.30 pm till 1 am, £3 non-members) with singaround songs and tunes, and ceilidh dances. Bring liquid refreshment and, perhaps some food to share, to both these special events.

Grace Notes on 29 October

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Grace Notes

Maggie Boyle, Helen Hockenhull and Lynda Hardcastle

Lynda Hardcastle, Maggie Boyle and Helen Hockenhull first came together as Grace Notes in 1992. The trio perform acapella and accompanied arrangements of traditional and contemporary songs in three part harmony.

Each member of the group has a well established reputation on the folk scene and, individually, they have a long history of live performance and recording sessions with Nic Jones, The Chieftans, Mountain Ash Band, John Tams, Bert Jansch, New Victory Band, and Muckram Wakes, to name but a few.

The trio was founded on their mutual love of singing, particularly harmony singing, which over the past seventeen years, both on and off stage, has been the hallmark of their music. The fact that they are close friends provides a unique rapport evident not just in their singing, but in the sense of togetherness they convey to the audience.

Finalists at New Roots 2010, Moore, Moss and Rutter are in the support spot.  They play traditional, contemporary and self-composed tunes, influenced by numerous styles and traditions. Tom Moore plays fiddle, Archie Churchill-Moss, melodeon and Jack Rutter plays guitar and sings.

Tickets £8 (non-members), to book, contact us through the email link on the ‘About the club’ page. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.