Tag Archives: Acapella singers

The Teacups Trio on Friday 5 July

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Returning to Norwich Folk Club on Friday 5 July we welcome The Teacups Trio, a fantastic young harmony group who we last saw in June 2015. As you may already know, The Teacups formed as a foursome while studying at Newcastle and offer unadorned, gutsy singing of traditional and contemporary material. Not to be missed!

Tickets £11 (£8 club members), can be reserved by emailing via the form on our contact page. Bring your own drinks. Teas and coffees available in the kitchen.

In the meantime, the showcase guest at the song session on Friday 21 June is the popular local singer, melodeon player and guitarist Roger Gamble. A veteran of the folk and acoustic scene for over fifty years, Roger helped set up the first Norwich Folk Clubs at the Unthank Arms and the York Tavern and still regularly performs at sessions and clubs in Norfolk and Suffolk. Over the years Roger has happily absorbed influences from Dylan to Knopfler, from the Blues to the West Coast, but Norfolk song and humour are always likely to break through. This is a free session. Bring songs and tunes as well as your own drinks.

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.

The Teacups Trio on Friday 19 June and harmony workshop on Saturday 20 June

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TeacupsAlex Cumming, Kate Locksley, Rosie Calvert and Will Finn met whilst studying on the Folk Degree at the University of Newcastle and formed The Teacups in 2010. It’s an age-old format – a quartet of singers: two men, two women – performing an age-old collection of songs. But The Teacups are new, they’re young, and after the success of their debut album, ‘One For The Pot’ which reveled in the vibrancy of youth, and all that heartache, or confusion, or euphoria, that goes with it, the band take significant steps forward with their brand new album ‘Of Labour and Love’, an offering which represents a maturity in material matched only by its maturity in sound. And the best way to get that across to the listeners? Through unadorned, gutsy singing, where arrangements add the intrigue.

This summer the group will be performing as a trio, as Alex is currently suffering from ill-health and is not able to travel back to the UK from the USA, where he has settled since his marriage last summer. The trio incarnation of The Teacups has already successfully appeared at Chippenham Folk Festival and we look forward to welcoming them to Norwich. Tickets £10 (£7 non-members), can be reserved by sending an email via our contact page. Bring a bottle, or enjoy a tea or coffee from the kitchen.

From 10 till noon on Saturday 20 June, The Teacups Trio will be leading a harmony workshop in the hall at the Christ Church Centre. All abilities and ages are welcome to come along and join the fun. Tickets £5, can be reserved via the contact page.

Craig; Morgan; Robson on 15 and 16 March

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Craig; Morgan; Robson

Craig; Morgan; Robson bring a new dimension to the art of a-capella singing. Rich in repertoire and musical experience, Moira Craig, Sarah Morgan and Carolyn Robson have been singing together since the autumn of 2003, weaving beguiling harmonies around material from the British tradition and beyond with “an effortless range and variety unheard in folk music for many years” (Folk London). 

Timeless songs of love and longing rub shoulders with compelling contemporary songs, and passionate, dramatic ballads take their place alongside a lilting Shetland melody or a stirring hymn from the Ozark mountains. The occasional solo song only adds to the variety of their overall performance. Here is a trio in which three distinctively different voices melt into one another to create a sound which is all their own. “True tradition bearers” (Living Tradition).

Bring your own refreshments. Teas and coffee available. Tickets £10 (£7 club members). Reserve your seat by emailing via the ‘About the club’ page.

Craig; Morgan; Robson will be hosting a harmony workshop at the Christ Church Centre, Magdalen Road NR3 4LA from 2-4.30 pm on Saturday 16 March. They will teach some songs from their repertoire, and share valuable tips on singing technique. Great fun! All welcome – no experience necessary! Tickets £10. Registration from 1.30 pm.

 

Showcase with Poacher on 1 February

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June Thaine, David Robertson and Kevin Green

Special showcase guests at the singaround on Friday 1 February are popular local trio, June Thaine, David Robertson and Kevin Green, otherwise known as Poacher. We look forward to hearing a variety of traditional and more recent songs, sung in close harmony.

Other singers and players are also welcome to take part in the singaround. Entry free. Please bring your own liquid refreshments – teas and coffee available.

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.