Collectively, we haven’t been influenced by anyone…….the music is a composite of all the individual influences that we have named in a blog.
The sum of our diverse backgrounds: classical, African, rock, folk-rock, Cuban, free improvisation and traditional, has all gone in to the musical melting pot and has given Gigspanner an identity that festival organiser Geoff Boudreau described as a sound ‘all of their own’……..
Band Biography
Although his name is synonymous with the seminal folk-rock band Steeleye Span, Peter Knight has avoided being categorised purely as a folk musician due to the diversity of musical genres that he chooses to apply to his music making, and to the musicians he has chosen to work with. Peter has a rare gift of being able to seamlessly embrace a number of musical styles with consummate skill and effortless grace.
His prodigious talent was recognised at an early age when in true Billy Elliot style his life changed by winning a place at The Royal Academy of Music in London, an experience that has indelibly left its mark on Peter's style of playing.
Resisting the lure of an extension to continue his studies as a classical soloist under the tutelage of an eminent Professor, Peter left the Royal Academy at 16 and was drawn to the copious presence of Irish music that was flourishing in London during the 1960's. Inspired initially by the legendary fiddle players Michael Coleman and Michael Gorman, Peter totally immersed himself into the playing of traditional music and began performing in folk clubs with guitarist Bob Johnson. Being invited by Ashley Hutchings to join the fledgling Steeleye Span secured his place within the annals of British folk music, but an encounter with renowned saxophonist Trevor Watts marked a very significant turning point in Peter's musical journey when he was introduced to the area of free improvisation.
Peter counts his playing with Trevor and his bands Moiré Music and The Drum Orchestra as one of his most deeply influential and formative experiences, and has continued to use both improvisation and free improvisation as means of accessing a rich seam of emotion and depth of feeling, something that is particularly in evidence with his trio Gigspanner.
Guitarist and composer Roger Flack is a well known and much respected musician on the vibrant Hastings music scene. Originally a piano player and later a drummer, Roger is now primarily known as a rock guitarist whose playing has been described as 'flawless', and his work with Gigspanner undoubtedly reflects his sensitivity and intuition as a performer within the area of improvisation.
"Despite being capable of string-based fireworks", Roger has, in the words of reviewer and radio contributor Joshua Roberts, "worked out the truth of the statement that less is more. In so many ways the band is built upon his solid and quiet presence".
Roger is also a founder member of the Celtic folk rock band, The Tabs, whose numbers include fiddle player Garry Blakeley (Feast of Fiddles, Band of Two).
Afro-Percussionist Vincent Salzfaas is an inventive and colourfully expressive player who in addition to working globally as a touring musician, also contributes much to the advancement of African drumming by means of workshops through schools and festivals. Although Vincent actually studied in Senegal, he is not afraid of pushing the boundaries in applying his expertise within the other genres of music, and his imaginative application of African techniques to the traditional tunes explored by Gigspanner is evidence of this.
His playing is described by Joshua Roberts as "A revelation. At times turning his percussion into a lead instrument, at other times providing driving rhythms, giving the music a highly original lift".
Gigspanner was originally formed by Peter with fellow Hastings-based musicians as a vehicle to play the music he is passionate about at a local level when not working with Steeleye. In recent times it has become obvious that the music is worthy of a much wider audience, and Gigspanner has now begun to tour at a national level and their debut CD ’Lipreading The Poet’ is due for release on 5th November.You can find out more about us and our other projects by visiting: PETER KNIGHT. GIGSPANNER. STEELEYE SPAN. FEAST OF FIDDLES. ROGER FLACK. MySpace profile design and photography by REBECCA CRESTA Artwork by TIM MARRS
We really enjoyed Wednesday's gig - it was fabulous! Hope all goes well in Banbury tonight, and look after that Bailey Sister you'll have on stage with you! Shelley and Karen xxx
Fabulous evening on Wednesday at Preston. Chris had a whale of a time on Sharp Goes Walkabout. Thanks so much for inviting him, Peter! See you again soon. xx
Great gig last night - Glad we found somewhere open in Bridport to grab some Indian food. Hope you found the Travel Lodge OK - Ahh, the joys of "The Road"!
This years festival is headlined by Billy Bragg (Friday), Seth Lakeman (Sunday) and Peatbog Faeries (Saturday) with many more top artists also performing.
Good to see the new page in place now. :) I guess I'm a bit far away to make it to any gigs, but it's likewise great to hear the new tunes here. Elegant, intricate, and energetic! :) There's definitely a rich stew of influences simmering here, but you don't think about it because you're just grooving to the music! :)
