Tag Archives: Viola

Rachael McShane and the Cartographers on Friday 9 October

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Rachael McShane is a renowned folk singer, cellist, fiddle, and viola player from the North East of England. She gained fame as an original member of the award-winning folk big band Bellowhead, recording five studio albums with them and winning a staggering eight BBC Folk Awards.

Away from Bellowhead, Rachael is the leader of The Cartographers, a band featuring traditional folk and contemporary sounds. The Cartographers have garnered a loyal following thanks to their impressive live performances and critically acclaimed debut album, When All Is Still (Topic Records, 2018). Their latest album Uncharted was released in Spring 2025. “You’re in the presence of something very special … what a voice” (BBC Music).

The evening starts at 7.30 pm. Please reserve tickets by emailing contact[@]norwichfolkclub.net. Prices are £15, and £12 for club members. Bring your own drinks – teas and coffee available in the kitchen, 50p. There is a car park, but latecomers may need to park on Constitution or St Clements Hill or on their adjoining roads.

Steve Turner on Friday 4 September

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Steve_Turner-DSC1355Steve Turner is known as a pioneer of highly sophisticated English concertina song accompaniments, stretching the boundaries of traditional forms, with one of the best voices in the business. He is a multi-instrumentalist, who also accompanies himself on the cittern and plays mandolin and banjo.

In the F/Roots August/September 2014 edition Nancy Kerr in her “Rocket Launcher” interview when asked “what was the best gig you ever saw?” answered “the best spot I’ve seen recently was Steve Turner – total intensive musical focus and a vast serious repertoire”.

BarberSistersIn support will be Isobel, Lydia and Ellie Barber – a string trio from the village of Thorpe in the Peak District. They began learning classical violin at the age of 5, and started playing folk music together after first participating in Folkworks Summer Schools a few years ago. With a particular love for Scottish folk music, the Barber Sisters have been influenced by bands such as RANT, and enjoy playing arrangements of original and traditional tunes on fiddle and viola. They were one of the 10 acts shortlisted for the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2015 and were also finalists at New Roots 2015.

Tickets can be reserved via the contact form on our website: £10 (£7 for club members). Bring a bottle or enjoy a tea or coffee from the kitchen.

 

David Gibb and Elly Lucas on 14 September

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David Gibb and Elly Lucas

Elly Lucas and David Gibb

On Friday 14 September we have a change of plan. Unfortunately Jim Causley is not able to appear at the club due to illness, but we are pleased to welcome, for the first time, David Gibb and Elly Lucas, an exciting young duo hailing from Derbyshire in the Midlands who have have previously toured the UK extensively as part of David Gibb & The Pony Club.

David plays the guitars, melodeon and sings; Elly plays fiddle, viola and also sings. From these minimal resources, the twosome produce distinctive vocal leads, haunting harmonies and a quite dense instrumental sound. Their singing is simple and unadorned ‐ check out Elly’s wistful vocal on ‘Blacksmith’ or David’s lead to ‘Jerusalem Cuckoo’. The pair were chosen as finalists in the prestigious BBC Young Folk Awards 2011 and, on the road, have supported such acts as Cara Dillon, Chris Wood, Coope, Boyes and Simpson, Jez Lowe and Megson.

In early 2011, they released their first EP, entitled ‘Three Children Sliding On The Ice’, garnering praise and national airplay from the likes of the Mike Harding Show (BBC Radio 2): Mike Harding says, ‘I was very impressed’. In the autumn of last year, they spent some time in the recording studio with producer Chris Harding, putting the final touches to their début album ‘Old Chairs To Mend’, which was released on HairpinRecords in March this year.

Singers and musicians will be welcome as usual for floor spots before the main event. Reserve tickets (£6) by emailing us via the ‘About the club page’. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

Nancy Kerr and James Fagan on 9 March

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James Fagan and Nancy Kerr

We are very pleased to welcome back Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, one of the most established  and respected duos on the folk scene. About to celebrate their fifteenth year of touring, Nancy and James were winners of the Best Duo in the BBC Radio 2  Folk Awards 2011.

As well as being great exponents of their instruments (fiddle, viola and guitar-bouzouki) both are regarded as fine and influential singers. Nancy and James’s version of ‘Dance to Your Daddy’ was recently chosen by choirmaster Gareth Malone as one of his inheritance tracks on Radio 4’s Saturday Live and their new CD, Twice Reflected Sun, is much acclaimed.

Rosie Eade

In support will be a popular regular from the White Horse days, the talented young singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rosie Eade. Hailed as ‘one of the finest new voices on the acoustic scene’ (Burnham-on-Sea Folk Festival), Rosie also sings and plays sax/whistles with Cambridge-based folk-rock band Hedgepig.

Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee is available. Please check availability of tickets £10 (members £7) by emailing via the contact on the ‘About the club’ page.

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.