Hello and welcome to the musical universe of Julian Sutton, squeezebox player, tunesmith, teacher and part-time accountant from Tyneside.
Brought up in that well-known musical hotbed of Newcastle upon Tyne, Julian has been playing melodeon now for longer than he cares to remember. He is probably best known for playing in a band with the renowned Northumbrian piper and composer Kathryn Tickell, with whom he has been working since 1998. He also has a growing reputation as a fairly decent accompanist of traditional song, having recorded and performed with amongst others Scottish singer/songwriter Karine Polwart, English folk singer and recent Mercury Prize nominee Rachel Unthank, and traditional Irish singer/flute player Nuala Kennedy.
From time to time Julian steps out of his comfort zone in order to work with musicians from beyond the folk sphere. Recent projects have involved performing alongside classical percussionist Evelyn Glennie, jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard, Norwegian brass legends The Brazz Brothers and Anglo-Indian tabla master Kuljit Bhamra. His most exciting musical adventure to date has been recording and performing with fellow Geordie and celebrated rock musician Sting, for the project, 'If On a Winter's Night'.
Other on-going musical adventures include The Auvo Quartet (an Anglo-Finnish group rooted in traditional music with a wide range of other influences), The Wendigo (with Stephen Tyler and Anne-Marie Summers of medieval music duo Misericordia) and most recently a duo with French bagpiper Fabrice Besson, playing new compositions influenced by English and French traditional music.
When not performing, playing in sessions or bean-counting, Julian can often be found at The Sage Gateshead music education centre, passing on his experience and ideas (for what they’re worth) to the next generation of exciting box-playing talent.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
