The Sultans of Squeeze on 13 May

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John Kirkpatrick and Chris Parkinson

John Kirkpatrick and Chris Parkinson first appeared as The Sultans of Squeeze in 2004. Together they present a huge variety of music, performed on every possible combination of their various squeeze-boxes – John on one-row and two-row melodeons, three-row button accordion, and treble and bass anglo concertinas, and Chris on various two-row melodeons, piano accordion, and bass piano accordion. As well as the traditional folk songs and tunes that you might expect to hear from these two, they also tackle military marches, French waltzes, nostalgic popular classics and signature tunes, blues, zydeco, jazz, rock & roll, and some pieces of their own making as well.

Please check that tickets are available by emailing via the link on the ‘About the Club’ page. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

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.

January events

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Singarounds continue every Friday, with a themed night on 14 January requesting ‘Something Different’. This could perhaps include new songs, new combinations of performers or different styles of music. We leave it to you. Bring your own refreshments to all club events. Tea and coffee available.

The guest night on 21 January with Coope, Boyes and Simpson is sold out.

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.

Singarounds with local showcases in November

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During November, singarounds continue every Friday, throughout the month, with two special showcase nights with extended spots featuring local folk performers. Free entry. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

On 12 November, we welcome the return of a group of folk stars, known to us as the ‘Zimmer Follies’. Familiar faces on the local folk scene, they come together to present a variety of songs, tunes and other treats in what promises to be a memorable night.

On 26 November, the local showcase features the accomplished singing of June Thaine, David Robertson and Kevin Green. June and David are joined in close harmony by Kevin in a new collaboration, known collectively as ‘Poacher’.

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.

Jackie Oates on 1 October

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Jackie Oates

Singer and fiddler, Jackie Oates is one of the brightest new stars on the folk scene, with two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2009 and nominations for three BBC Folk Awards in 2010. Jackie also plays the viola and occasionally the shruti. Her latest album, ‘Hyperboreans’ has been nominated for the fRoots Critics’ Poll Album of 2009 and reached no. 5 on the Mojo Folk Album of the Year Chart. ‘On all fronts Oates delivers, with beautiful singing, innovative arrangements and an intriguing selection of songs’ (Songlines, October 2009).

We look forward to welcoming Jackie to Norwich Folk Club on Friday 1 October. To be sure of a seat, please let us know by emailing via the form on the ‘About the club’ page. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

Spinndrift and Jaywalkers on 10 September

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Spinndrift

Norwich Folk Club is pleased to welcome two groups as guests on Friday 10 September.

Spinndrift are a young folk ensemble formed when all the members met at Newcastle on the university’s Folk and Traditional Music Degree.

Finalists at the New Roots Competition at St Albans in both 2009 and 2010, they take their material mostly from the British Isles, but they also enjoy playing songs and tunes from Europe.

Spinndrift are Isla Hughes on vocals, flute and whistle, Jennie Page on fiddle and oboe, Seth Tinsley on guitar and vocals, Fynn Titford-Mock on cello and vocals and NIck Wiseman-Ellis on melodeon and fiddle.

Jaywalkers

Jaywalkers, a young duo who were also finalists at New Roots this year, having previously reached the final at BBC Young Folk Award 2008/9, will be in support on 10 September.

The full blooded power and soulful quality of Jay Bradberry’s voice and Michael Giverin’s virtuoso mandolin playing are particular features of their music.

Tickets can be reserved by emailing via the box on the ‘About the club’ page. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

Singarounds every Friday, and on Friday 17 September Norwich Folk Club will hold a CEILIDH with live music. Everyone welcome. Tickets on the door. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.