Category Archives: Guest

Tania Opland and Mike Freeman on 16 July

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Tania and Mike

Tania Opland and Mike Freeman have been touring the world since 1995 with a unique and eclectic

mix of songs in several languages and acoustic music played on a variety of instruments, including hammered dulcimer, guitar, recorders, cittern, violin, Native American flute and percussion.

Their shows feature both traditional and contemporary material from many cultures as well as original compositions, all presented with wit and style – guaranteed to provide an evening of great music and entertainment for all, especially those seeking something just a little off the beaten track. Mike’s irreverent sense of humor and Tania’s stunning vocals provide the springboard for a rollercoaster ride across several continents and back again. Check availability of tickets by email through the link on ‘About the club’ page. Bring your own refreshments. For a clip of Tania on youtube: Dona Nobis Pacem

Sinagrounds every Friday, as usual, throughout the summer, with two spots from local band Showcase guests LongShore Drift on Friday 2 July. Free entry. Bring your own refreshments.

Martyn Wyndham-Read and Iris Bishop on 11 June

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Martyn Wyndham-Read has been involved with folk music for over forty years. As a teenager in the 1960s he set off to work on a sheep station in Australia and became part of the folk song revival there, later returning to England with a wealth of traditional songs and stories.

Martyn is the instigator of the much acclaimed Folk Links Project, a celebration of English Traditional Songs and their Australian and North American variants and has worked with the cream of singers specialising in traditional songs from their own countries. He is accompanied by Iris Bishop, regarded by many as one of the finest players of the Duet concertina. Where Ravens Feed

In support will be Marianne Neary a young singer-songwriter who was one of the finalists in the 2010 New Roots competition. Check availability of tickets by email through the link on ‘About the club’ page. Bring your own refreshments.

Showcase guests at the singaround on Friday 28 May will be Faith and Taka Masendu. Free entry. Bring your own refreshments.

Veteran returns to the Folk Club

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Roger and Chris Gamble will be the showcase guests at Norwich Folk Club singaround on Friday 30 April.

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Roger has been a stalwart of folk and acoustic sessions in Norfolk and Suffolk for over 45 years, drawing on a wide range of material, from English traditional to influences  as diverse as Randy Newman and Mark Knopfler. The trademark harmony singing of Chris and Roger has long been a feature of their local gigs.

Since moving to South-West Norfolk  their appearances in Norwich in recent years have sadly been limited, but their return promises to be a treat, with much of Roger’s ‘back-catalogue’ expected, together with some recent additions.

Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.


Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts on 2 April

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Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts

Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts

On Friday 2 April at the Christ Church Centre, Magdalen Road, Norwich Folk Club welcomes Katriona Gilmore (Rosie Doonan & the Snapdragons, ex-Tiny Tin Lady) and Jamie Roberts (Kerfuffle), who have been performing together on the folk scene since 2006. Their self-penned material ranges from blazing instrumentals to ‘heart-wrenching’ songs, to contemporary arrangements of traditional songs.

Jamie’s dextrous percussive and lap-style guitar work is a visual as well as a sonic delight, while Katriona’s intricate fiddle playing shifts seamlessly from sensitive to fiery and back again in the blink of an eye.

Shadows & Half Light, the duo’s first full length recording, has made waves in the national music press, being described as ‘inspired’ by fRoots and awarded five stars by Rock’n’Reel . The album makes the most of Katriona and Jamie’s multi-instrumental skills – mandolin, banjo, and even trombone can be heard alongside the usual fiddle and guitar, as well as guest vocals and piano from Jamie’s sister Kathryn Roberts.

In 2009, the duo brought their unique sound to more than ten festivals and supported, among others, LAU, Dave Swarbrick, Bellowhead, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan and Spiers & Boden. Tickets can be reserved in advance by email or at the club. Bring your own refreshments.

As usual, all are welcome at the singarounds at the Christ Church Centre on Friday 19 and 26 March. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher on 5 February

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Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher

Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher

Well known throughout their native county, Lincolnshire, both for their club work as a duo and as members of the Higgledy Piggledy band, Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher present a fine blend of voices mellowed by nigh on thirty years of singing together.

Accompanied in traditional style on English and duet concertina, harmonium, and melodeon, their songs, both ancient and modern, have enough choruses to please everyone.

The pleasure they get from singing is obvious and since the release of their debut album ‘… Their Fine Array’ they have taken their music further afield in clubs from Cornwall to Lancashire and the North East and festivals countrywide.

They have been involved with Martyn Wyndham-Read’s ‘Songlinks’, appearing on the CDs and at the premiere concerts at Sidmouth festival and the CD launch concerts at Cecil Sharp House. Their fourth album ‘Fit For Reclining’ received enthusiastic reviews and album number five ‘Acorn to Oak’ is now available.

There will be a singaround in the upstairs room at the Christ Church Centre on Friday 29 January. All welcome, as usual. Please bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

Tony Hall on 15 January

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Tony Hall

Tony Hall (Photo: Keith Garnham)

ON Friday 15 January we welcome local melodeon maestro Tony Hall to our new venue at the Christ Church Centre on Magdalen Road – just opposite the junction with Waterloo Road and close to the Whalebone. Tony plays a wide range of tunes which ‘defy the limitations … of the two-row box’, interspersed with songs delivered in ‘Tony’s inimitable singing style’ (Mel Howly, The Living Tradition). Tea and coffee available, or bring your own atternative beverages. Tickets £3 (£5 non-members).

Pete Morton, Maggie Boyle and Chris Parkinson

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Chris Parkinson, Pete Morton and Maggie Boyle

On Saturday 12 December, in association with Norwich Folk Club, Pete Morton,  Maggie Boyle and Chris Parkinson bring their Magical Christmas Tree Tour to the Christ Church Centre on Magdalen Road (opposite the Whalebone pub), with an enjoyable mix of seasonal offerings and special treats from this accomplished trio of performers.

Songwriter Pete Morton sings from the heart, with songs that are an unruly mix of humour, politics, love and social comment, wrapping their way around the folk tradition.  He may also be persuaded to sing his well known song ‘Another Train’.  It’s bound to be on the tree somewhere!

Maggie Boyle is a traditional singer and flute-player. Through her ballads and tunes, old and new, she continues the tradition of music and storytelling passed on by her Irish family. Maggie’s voice and flute are an integral part of Christopher Bruce’s folk ballet, ‘Sergeant Early’s Dream’ created for Rambert Dance Company.  She has worked with James Horner, The Chieftains, Incantation, Bert Jansch, Steve Tilston, John Renbourn, Grace Notes and ,,,

Chris Parkinson, who has played music since the age of five, starting with the harmonica before moving on to everything else. However, he is best known for his melodeon and piano accordion playing, and is one of the most sought-after accordion players in the country. Among many others, Chris has worked with Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson, Ralph McTell, Billy Connolly, Mike Harding, Steve Tilston, Martin Simpson and Steve Phillips.

The Magical Christmas Tree is full of songs and tunes from everywhere and this is your chance to write the set list! A fun and spontaneous night for everyone – especially Maggie, Chris and Pete – who quite literally don’t know what they are going to do next … but they do it well! Tickets £8 (£6 club members) can be reserved by email, using the form on ‘About the club’ page.

On Friday 11 December there will be a singaround at the White Horse Inn as usual. Everyone is very welcome to join us – whether to listen, sing or play.

Sally Barker on 4 December

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Sally Barker and Glenn Hughes

Sally Barker and Glenn Hughes

On Friday 4 December, at 8.30 pm Sally Barker will be at the White Horse Inn, Trowse presenting the Joni Mitchell Project. This is a personal tribute to the very much admired earlier recordings of Joni Mitchell.

Sally (whose voice is often compared to Joni’s) is a member of female folk group The Poozies and during her career has supported both Bob Dylan and Richard Thompson. For the Joni Mitchell Project she is accompanied by Glenn Hughes on keyboard and dulcimer. Tickets £8 (£5 members), check availability through the email link on the ‘About the Club’ page.

The singaround on 27 November will be in the upstairs room at the White Horse Inn. This jam session is open to all, whether to listen, sing or play.

Bob Fox on 20 November

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Bob Fox

Bob Fox

Bob Fox is one of the most popular and best loved performers on the world folk stage and after more than three decades remains at the very top of his game. Nominated as BBC Radio 2 Best Folk Singer in 2003 and 2004 , in 2006 Bob was commissioned to perform one of the six new BBC Radio Ballads.  In 2008, Bob embarked on an ambitious project with former duo partner Stu Luckley to re-record both of their original vinyl albums for a 2 CD set called “THIRTY YEARS ON” that they produced for their equally ambitious re-union tour which took place in the autumn, taking in many of the places that they played in the 70s and finishing at the highly prestigious Sage Concert Hall on the banks of the Tyne in Gateshead. The performances they produced on the tour and the quality of the CD brought them a nomination in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2009 as ‘Best Duo’.

Bob is counted by Vin Garbutt as ‘one of the truly great voices from the North East with musicianship second to none’.  Check for availability of tickets by email through ‘About the club’ page: £8 (£5 members).

Trí on 23 October at the Manor Rooms

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Trí

Trí

Young folk band Trí have had a fantastic first year, playing the Godiva Festival in Coventry, Folk in the Park at Biddulph, Alcester, Warwick, Bideford and Fylde Folk Festivals, and will be at Bedworth in November. With a background in Irish music and a string of Fleadh medals to their names, they are accomplished musicians. Ciarán Algar and Neal Pointon are impressive fiddle players and Niamh Boadle‘s vocals and guitarwork are beyond her years. She recently won the Fred Jordan Memorial unaccompanied singing competition at Bromyard Festival and has just been chosen as one of the six finalists  in the Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2010. All this, and step-dancing too!

Godiva Festival June 2009, Dave Swarbrick and Pete Willow: ‘They are absolutely wonderful and you can quote me on that. They are taking the Festivals by storm; You have just seen the future of folk music.’

St Albans New Roots Finals April 2009, James Fagan, Nancy Kerr, Andy Stafford and Lynn Heraud: ‘We … have run out of superlatives for this group. The musicianship was absolutely superb. Niamh has a beautiful voice with great quality. The song arrangements were subtle; … good variety throughout the set and the dancing added a lovely extra dimension …  easy on stage and obviously enjoying playing the music …. We were absolutely stunned … !’

This event will be in the Manor Rooms, just up the Street from the White Horse Inn. Collect your drink from the pub on your way! Tea and coffee also available. Tickets £5 (£3 members). Please email to book (see ‘About the club’ page).

On Friday 16 October there will be a singaround at the White Horse – everyone is welcome, whether to listen, play or sing.

FOOTNOTE: James Findlay, another New Roots finalist who played at the club in November last year, has also reached the Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2010 final.