Category Archives: Showcase

Song session showcase with Shorelark on Friday 21 October

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shorelark-2016-001-landscapeAt the song session on Friday 21 October we look forward to a special showcase by Shorelark, a new young folk duo who were finalists at New Roots this year. Shorelark comprise singer-songwriter and guitarist Georgia Morgan Turner and recorder-player and English folk multi-instrumentalist Finn Collinson. Their meticulous arrangements make great use of unusual instrumentation, inspired by the duo’s wide influences, which range from Brazilian music to Baroque recorder works.

With a combined age of just 32, Georgia and Finn are experienced beyond their years and between them have enjoyed solo performances at the Barbican Hall (Georgia) and Cadogan Hall, London (Finn). They have also appeared at FolkEast Festival, Cecil Sharp House and Aldeburgh Festival.

Georgia and Finn will perform two sets within the song session, which is free. All singers, musicians and listeners are welcome to come along. Bring your own drinks – teas and coffee available in the kitchen.

Song session showcase with The Lion’s Share on Friday 29 July

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IMG_6278On Friday 29 July we look forward to welcoming New Roots finalists 2016 The Lion’s Share as showcase guests within the song session. This London-based folk duo grew out of the UCLU Folk and World Music Society and is made up of Tom Blackburn, a Nic Jones-esque guitarist, who has had the pleasure of supporting such acts as Martin Carthy, and Jimmy Grayburn, a frailing and finger-picking banjo player.  Together, with driving vocals and tight harmonies, they sing stories of love, betrayal and homelessness, respecting the tradition while adding their own personal touch. The Lion’s Share will perform two sets within the session.

All listeners, singers and musicians are also welcome to join the song session, which starts at 8 pm. There is no charge. Bring your own drinks. Teas and coffee available in the kitchen.

Showcase with Sophie Crawford on Friday 20 May

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Sophie2On Friday 20 May the showcase guest at the song session will be New Roots finalist 2016, Sophie Crawford. Accordionist and singer Sophie performs a blend of traditional and original music grounded in the English folk tradition. She spent a year playing the Song Woman in the West End production of War Horse (2015) and writes and performs music for the touring theatre company Troupe. Having collaborated and recorded with a number of musicians, this is her first solo summer. She launches her EP in summer 2016.

Sophie, who was one of our favourite performers at New Roots this year, will perform a couple of sets during the song session. Other singers and musicians are welcome to join the session, as are listeners! There is no charge for song sessions, but there will be a raffle. Bring your own drinks. Teas and coffee will be available in the kitchen.

Akabella showcase on Friday 5 February

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Akabella at Strangers HallThe showcase guests at the song session on Friday 5 February will be Norwich-based harmony group Akabella. The group was started by Susan Bell, has been running for a couple of years in its present form with eight members and has performed at many local venues. 

Akabella aim for variety and like to sing songs in three- or four-part harmony, with arrangements by Susan and others in the group. Their material is eclectic, drawn from the British folk tradition as well as Eastern Europe, Spain, Sweden and Africa – not to mention the occasional pop classic.  

Akabella will perform two sets during the song session. Other singers and musicians are also very welcome. There is no charge, but there will be a raffle to help with expenses. Bring your own drinks – tea and coffee available in the kitchen.

Song Session Showcase with Hannah Cumming on 5 June

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Promo Pic Hannah CThe showcase guest at the song session on Friday 5 June will be New Roots finalist 2015, Hannah Cumming. Hannah is 23, has been fiddling for 12 years and within the last two years has started singing along to her fiddle accompaniment. She has a passion for traditional English folk songs as well as acoustic and popular music. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Seth Lakeman, Nancy Kerr and Jackie Oates, Hannah creates unique arrangements to suit each song, embracing the original in her own sweetly haunting style.

Singers and musicians are invited to join the song session, and listeners are equally welcome. Entry is free. Bring a bottle, or enjoy a tea or coffee from the kitchen.

The regular Friday song sessions are currently being held downstairs in the main hall. There is no charge and all are welcome, whether to sing, play or listen.

 

Rosie Eade showcase on Friday 27 March

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rosie and steveSpecial showcase guests at the song session on Friday 27 March will be the Rosie Eade duo. Singer-songwriter and guitarist Rosie has been gigging since 2004 and performs lively, evocative, life-inspired songs, along with traditional songs and favourite covers. Her voice has been described as ‘one of the loveliest new voices on the folk and acoustic music scene’ (Village Pump Folk Club, 2013).

Rosie is accompanied by mandolin player Steve Mathews.

There will be a raffle but no entry charge. This is a song session, so all performers and listeners very welcome. Bring a bottle.

Damien Barber and Mike Wilson on Friday 6 February

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DM_Bar_300_dpiOn Friday 6 February, we welcome back two of the finest exponents of traditional song in the United Kingdom – Damien Barber and Mike Wilson. It is difficult to accept that these relatively young men have a combined 40+ years’ experience of performing at folk venues.

Raised in Norfolk and heavily influenced by such earlier Norfolk singers as Walter Pardon and Peter Bellamy, Damien is a stylish and distinctive singer, either unaccompanied or using guitar or concertina. Though he has lived for a long time in West Yorkshire he retains a strong East Anglian identity.

Mike Wilson is the youngest member of the Wilson Family, the powerful Teesside singing siblings who have raised the rafters at many a festival or folk club event. Mike’s musical heritage is emphatically that of the North East – rural and industrial folk song, both traditional and modern.

Damien and Mike have a rich shared repertoire of traditional songs plus the work of modern folk writers such as Bellamy, Ewan MacColl and Mike Waterson.

Tickets are £10 (£7 club members), but are SOLD OUT. Bring a bottle or enjoy a cuppa from the kitchen.

Roger 2fOn Friday 30 January the showcase guest at our song session will be singer, guitar player and melodeon virtuoso, Roger Gamble – a veteran performer of over 50 years in his own right. Now in his 83rd year, Roger maintains a keen sense of mischief, his voice still carries an edge and his playing has a quality that can move.

Roger’s repertoire is a virtual conducted tour of the time he has spent singing and playing in East Anglia’s folk clubs and pubs. From the folk revival of the 50s and 60s on to Dylan and the great singer-songwriters, through delta blues and with an occasional nod to the world of rock, he has amassed a treasure chest of material which is still developing.

There is no charge on the door, but there will be a raffle. Bring drinks of your choice, or make a tea or coffee in the kitchen.

Teyr on 24 October

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Teyr poster blankWe welcome folk trio Teyr as showcase guests at the song session on Friday 24 October. Forged amongst the hustle and bustle of North London’s folk scene, Teyr (‘3’ in the Cornish language) are a trio of players who showcase the many sounds of the British Isles.

With roots running from Ireland to Wales to Cornwall, James Gavin (guitar and fiddle), Dominic Henderson (uilleann pipes) and Tommie Black-Roff (accordion) capture the hybridity of contemporary life within traditional music, injecting it with a shot of youth. Having met on the Trad music scene through late night sessions, each performer holds an intuitive sense of folk music, evident in their deft new arrangements of fiery tunes and songs as well as original material.

There is no charge, but we will have a raffle. Listeners, other singers and tune-players all welcome. Bring your own drinks – teas and coffee available in the kitchen.

Georgia Shackleton on 26 September

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Georgia2The showcase guest at the song session on Friday 26 September will be local singer-songwriter and fiddler Georgia Shackleton, who favours performing ‘wordy songs about other people’. Georgia takes inspiration from places and faces, as well as the traditional, regional and early 20th century material she also performs.

After studying the highly acclaimed Folk and Traditional Music degree in Newcastle, Georgia has performed in various line-ups alongside an eclectic mix of fantastic musicians. She has now returned home to her native Norfolk and is currently working on new projects, including material with fellow Newcastle graduate, Nic Zuppardi on mandolin, and ‘Addison’s Uncle’ guitarist, Aaren Bennett. 

There is no charge and all singers, musicians and listeners are welcome to join the song session. Bring your own drink – teas and coffee available in the kitchen, as usual.

 

New Roots showcase session on Friday 27 June and harmony workshop on Saturday 28 June

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Special guests filling the two spots at the showcase session on Friday 27 June are finalists at the 2014 New Roots competition at St Albans, Speldosa and Alex Cumming and Nicola Beazley.

Speldosa

Speldosa are a clarsach (harp), fiddle, hammered dulcimer and vocal trio who perform their own arrangements of traditional and modern tunes and songs. Speldosa is Swedish for ‘music box’, so expect a beautiful twinkly sound together with passionate songs and toe-tapping tunes.

Alex and Nicola

Alex and Nicola

Alex Cumming and Nicola Beazley are an exciting new box and fiddle duo performing songs and tunes from around England. They are both recent graduates of the Newcastle Folk and Traditional Music Degree. Expect plenty of lively tunes, spine-tingling arrangements and lots of sing-along choruses.

Singers and players are welcome to come along and take part in the song session – listeners also appreciated! Tickets £3 (£2 members) on the door. Bring your own drinks – fine ales available nearby and teas and coffee from the kitchen.

Alex Cumming and Rosie Calvert (of The Teacups) will be leading a harmony workshop from 10 till noon on Saturday 28 June. All welcome. Tickets £3 (£2 club members). Teas and coffee available in the kitchen.