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Tue 17th	Apr 2018	Chris Ronald Trio
		Now living in Vancouver, Canada, contemporary folk singer-songwriter Chris Ronald emigrated from his native England in 2002. Influenced by countless British and North American artists of the 60s onward, Ronald’s music has been described as “Canadian folk with British roots,” and The Province likened it to “the country and folk that came out of Laurel Canyon and the British Isles in the mid-seventies.” “This song master is a revelation” FATEA John Ellis is an award-winning producer and multi-instrumentalist who flits effortlessly between guitar, dobro, mandolin, banjo, and more. He has worked with top Canadian talent and produced Ronald's CFMA-nominated Timeline album. The pair teamed up again to create Ronald's new Fragments CD and look forward to more national and international touring to support the release. Mike Sanyshyn has played fiddle in a dazzling array of situations from performing with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra to acting as musical director for the British Columbia Country Music Awards. Mike was named BC provincial champion four times and placed in the top three at the Canadian Grand Masters Championship. A first call studio musician, Sanyshyn's fiddle features heavily on Ronald's new Fragments album.
Tue 8th	May 2018	Steve Ashley
		Steve Ashley has been playing in folk clubs since 1961. Since his debut album in 1974, Steve has performed on over 40 albums including 10 of new songs, the latest of which, Another Day was released in 2017. He’s recorded with Bert Jansch, Fairport Convention, Shirley Collins, Spyrogyra and numerous others. People covering his songs include Fairport Convention, Martin & Jessica Simpson and Phil Beer. That’s a folk pedigree!
Tue 29th	May 2018	Patchouli
		Patchouli, a.k.a. Terra Guitarra are master guitarist Bruce Hecksel and singer, songwriter and guitarist Julie Patchouli. We came across them at a house concert and thought you should have the chance to hear them too. Based in Mississippi & California, Patchouli / Terra Guitarra have performed over 4,000 shows, toured a million miles on the road supporting 20 CD releases, won songwriting awards, industry awards, performed on TV, film and are played on Radio programs around the world. "An acoustic duo whose songs about harmony & healing inspire the human spirit" - B Sents, Chicago Tribune “One of the top nuevo-flamenco groups in the world” ZMR
Tue 19th	Jun 2018	Moirai
		Jo Freya, Melanie Biggs and and Sarah Matthews manage to create an orchestra and a choir of sounds and yet there are still only three of them. Throw away your preconceptions about what constitutes folk music and open your minds to a colourful pallet of sounds and song. They will take you on a roller-coaster ride through beautiful traditional tunes, haunting and buoyant compositions and songs that will pluck at your heartstrings as well as have you holding your sides to prevent bursting with laughter. Many bands can do beautiful music, many bands can do comedy, many focus on instrumentals others on their vocals, here you get it all in one tight but fluid package. Between them you get accordion, flute, fiddle, viola, guitar, traditional whistles, soprano and tenor sax, clarinet and bass clarinet and three voices. Moirai means 'Spinners of Destiny' and performances weave the trio's instrumental talents with haunting vocals. The result: enchanting musical arrangements delivered with skill and a healthy dollop of humour.
Tue 4th	Sep 2018	The Boxwood Chessmen
		The Boxwood Chessmen are a semi-acoustic, four piece band from East Anglia and Middlesex, raiding a fabulous musical pantry stocked with the finest roots ingredients - Folk, Americana, Angliana, hokum and a light dusting of swing all delivered with panache and fun ..... Pretty much anything goes into the pot. They call it Gloriana. "The oh so talented musicians that make up Boxwood Chessmen have really pulled together a crowd pleasing set.. loving this combo and their songs" Chris Walls Royston Folk Club
Tue 25th	Sep 2018	The Foxglove Trio
		The Foxglove Trio seek out lesser-known traditional and contemporary folk songs and, with care and creativity, transform them into moments of breathtaking beauty. They are Cathy Mason (guitar & cello), Ffion Mair (whistle & bodhran, best Celtic Folk Singer at Llangollen Eisteddfod 2011) and Patrick Dean (melodeon, cello & concertina and player in several ceilidh bands) and they're great! They visited us three years ago and we liked them so much that we’ve asked them back. A review of their debut full album, These Gathered Branches, commented that “the interest never wanes” when listening to The Foxglove Trio (R2 magazine).
Tue 16th	Oct 2018	Lisa Winship and Andy Mathewson
		Lisa and Andy play a wide range of music. Blues and ragtime from the pre-War era, some standards belonging to the 'Great American Songbook' and, increasingly, their own compositions. The name they give it is 'vintage acoustic music'. Lisa’s voice is ideally suited to this style of music, easy on the ear and effortlessly capturing the spirit of each song. Andy’s skilful guitar playing is the cement in the wall, never intruding on, but perfectly accompanying Lisa’s voice to build this duo’s distinctive and irresistible sound.
Tue 6th	Nov 2018	The Shackleton Trio
		The Shackleton Trio (formerly The Georgia Shackleton Trio) play an exciting blend of Americana, folk and self-penned material, instrumentally influenced by British, American and Scandinavian folk traditions, with a regional twist from her native East Anglia. Georgia’s skills as a singer and instrumentalist have been put to the test in numerous different contexts, and this trio sees her teaming up with guitar powerhouse Aaren Bennett and mandolin ace Nic Zuppardi. Together they have toured the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands, appeared at Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Towersey Festival, Broadstairs Folk Week, Folk East, and concert halls and folk clubs across the UK.
Tue 27th	Nov 2018	Emily Mae Winters
		“Some singers grow on you over time and others stop you in your tracks. Emily Mae Winters falls into the second category.” Fatea Magazine Emily Mae Winters’ songs are quickly permeating the folk and song writing scene. A poetic singer songwriter, influenced by the likes of Gillian Welch, Carole King, Alison Krauss, Sarah Jarosz and Kate Rusby; her music splits the difference between the gentle seas of folk and country. In 2016, Emily teamed up with BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner Ben Walker to produce her first commercial EP release ‘Foreign Waters’. Her self-penned track ‘Anchor’ from the release won the folk category in the Guardian Songwriting Competition. The tracks have received extensive national and international folk and Americana radio play including support from the BBC Radio 2 Good Morning Sunday with Clare Balding and the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe. She has just released her debut album ‘Siren Serenade’, which hosts a combination of self-penned and traditional folk songs. “Emily Mae Winters has produced an arresting, enthralling tantalising introduction to her work that leaves us hungry for more.” Folk Radio UK “Superbly crafted and dramatic song writing.. Winters’ songs reflect a love of poetry, her lyrics giving a dark edge to songs that are beautifully performed. ” R2 Magazine
Tue 11th	Dec 2018	Tudor Lodge
		Tudor Lodge, founded in 1968 are John Cee Stannard, who also performs solo and with his group Blue Horizon together with Lynne Whiteland, doyenne of the Boars Bridge Festival who joined in 1980. They’ve produced 9 albums so far and gigged as far afield as Tokyo. Since 1988 they’ve been a song-writing and performing duo creating a sparkling array of original songs. We’re delighted to be able to welcome them back to the club.
Tue 8th	Jan 2019	Emerald Hill
		This Essex quartet play a variety of traditional and original songs with verve and enthusiasm to anyone at all (as Jake Thackray might have said). Accompanying themselves on bouzouki, cello, guitar, violin, bodhran, banjo and woodwind, this is the perfect act to rouse you from those post Christmas blues.
Tue 19th	Feb 2019	WolfNote
		WolfNote are an acoustic folk and roots quintet from Berkshire comprising multi-instrumentalist Mike with his gammy leg, violinist and vocalist Ceri with her dodgy back, Gill on guitar, vocals and dulcimer, also falling to bits and cellist and vocalist Bex, a crazy cat lady. Sacha Mayhew percussionist has recently joined the band. They use string and vocal harmonies and their music sounds a bit like American folk with strings similar to the Beatles. Despite looking inexplicably cross on stage people seem to like their warm, enveloping, sound. They have won The Graham Steel showcase artist award and have featured on BBC radio. WolfNote would just like to say that they are not sisters and Mike is not their dad.
Tue 12th	Mar 2019	Reunion Lane
		This recently-formed trio consists of three seasoned folk performers. Alison Fenner on vocals and duet concertina was an original member of Bread & Roses and has performed as part of the quartet, Commonground. David Fenner on vocals, guitar and mandola performed as one of the King Gippos and also with Commonground. Simon Diegan on vocals and melodeon played with Wiltshire Reunion and now plays with Celtic Heartbeat. We’re familiar with Alison and David’s fine performances as a duet, we’ve had Commonground as guests at the club and we’re looking forward to this combination. “Reunion Lane played a great set at the Towersey Festival. Their musicianship and vocal harmony brought both laughter and tears to very appreciative audience. Top band.” Jim Greenhough, Thame Club Organiser
Tue 2nd	Apr 2019	Sunjay Brayne
		Sunjay’s style has that natural drift between folk and blues and both camps have recognised his obvious flair. There have been a clutch of award nominations, including winning the Wath Festival Young Performers Award. He also made the final selection for the BBC’s Young Folk Award in 2012, had three nominations at the Exposure Music Awards 2014 and was also recognised by the 2014 British Blues Awards. “For such a young performer, Sunjay shows real confidence, maturity and ease on stage that it seems like he has been doing nothing else all of his life.” – Folk All Magazine “A great voice."- Blues Matters Magazine “He's a wizard on the guitar; I think I'd call it jazz-folk!” – Vin Garbutt
Tue 16th	Apr 2019	Sally Ironmonger & Brian Carter
		Sally Ironmonger & Brian Carter have been writing, performing and bickering together for nearly 20 years. They have produced 3 studio albums of songs about shipyards, prostitutes, trips to the seaside, self-deprecating amusing songs and protest anthems. They are an absolute one off. They have a quirky and distinctive style, with Brian’s unusual and accomplished guitar technique the perfect accompaniment to Sally’s unique voice. They love what they do, and their aim is to entertain, with songs that make you laugh, or cry, or just think. Don’t miss them. “Teasing, thought-provoking, foot-tapping, belly-laughing, ale swigging, murdering, schizophrenic, tear-inducing wordsmith” (pennyblackmusic) Winner of the 2016 Milkmaid Folksong Competition
Tue 14th	May 2019	Jack Rutter
		’A truly captivating singer of traditional songs, Jack Rutter’s new record feels like one of the classic folk albums of the 70s’ - Jon Boden 'A voice as rich and beautiful as his native Yorkshire' - English Folk Expo Still in his mid 20s, Jack Rutter (Moore Moss Rutter, Seth Lakeman band, Jackie Oates band) is a highly respected singer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist playing within the British folk tradition. His new solo set features a range of well known and rare traditional songs from a variety of sources, delivered with guitar, bouzouki or duet concertina accompaniment that complement his signature ‘honest, unaffected vocals’ (Yorkshire Evening Post). “It sounds like folk music used to. The man’s good!” Steve Primarolo
Tue 4th	Jun 2019	James Hickman & Dan Cassidy
		Hickman’s emotive, soaring vocals and driving guitar is complemented by Cassidy’s ingenious and virtuosic fiddling. Their sound flows from the connection between British and American folk and is bursting with all the humour, heartbreak and excitement of these genres. The lively English wit of Hickman is set against Cassidy’s bone-dry irony and American drawl as they take audiences on a dynamic and unforgettable transatlantic journey. James' and Dan's duo was formed in 2008, beginning with several successful local shows in James' hometown of Shrewsbury and the surrounding county of Shropshire. Their relaxed banter and unique musical style was well received and they were soon performing further afield.