Tag Archives: Traditional

The Changing Room on Friday 26 February

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TCR-GROUP-DERRY-WALLSA rare opportunity to catch up with The Changing Room on tour. The phenomenally busy Sam Kelly and Tanya Brittain will be joined on stage by Jamie Francis (Stark), Evan Carson (The Willows) and harpist Morrigan Palmer-Brown.
In the short time that they’ve been recording together The Changing Room have built up a significant catalogue of music, and clocked-up some impressive airtime on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 3. Their debut album was included in The Telegraph list of ‘Best Folk Albums of 2015’.
With rootsy, Celtic-infused, original folk, heavily influenced by the industrial heritage of Cornwall, this Looe-based band are ambassadors for collaboration. Their songs feature rousing choruses and catchy hooks. Accordion, guitar, bodhran, harp and banjo plus award-winning vocals deliver a winning combination, and unique sound.
Tickets £10 (£7 members) are now SOLD OUT, but you can be put on the list for returns by emailing us via the contact page. Bring your own drinks. Teas and coffee available in the kitchen. This event will start at 8.30 pm.
The Norwich Folk Club Annual General Meeting will take place from 8 pm on Friday 12 February, to be followed at about 9 pm by a song session open to all.
On Friday 19 February  the song session will run from 8 pm till 11 pm (not 8.30–11.30).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Emily Smith on Friday 9 October

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Emily Smith

Emily Smith

‘Scots Singer of the Year 2008/9’, Emily Smith has firmly established herself as a leading light in the Scottish folk scene.

Since winning the 2002 ‘BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award’ she has released three critically acclaimed albums, toured extensively with her band on the international folk circuit and is recognised not only as one of Scotland’s finest interpreters of traditional song but also as a talented songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

Alongside her solo career, Smith has written, recorded and toured with artists from the folk scene and beyond including Eddi Reader, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Karine Polwart, John McCusker, David Scott and Phil Cunningham. She has recorded live sessions for BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris, Aled Jones and Mike Harding alongside receiving regular play on BBC Radio Scotland. Smith was also involved in writing material for the much acclaimed Darwin Song Project at the Shrewsbury Festival last month.

This event will be at the White Horse Inn, starting at 8.30 pm. The concert will be amplified. Please check for availability of tickets £8 (£5 members) by email (see About the club page).

There will be singarounds at the White Horse Inn on Friday 25 September and 2 October – free entry and everyone is welcome to come along, whether to listen, sing or play.