Ken collaborates with Richard Scott, Chris Bostock, Caedmon, Theatre sans Frontieres.
Influences
Pentangle, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, European Streetbands, Eastern European Gypsy music, Klezmer, Rachel Unthank, Grand Union Orchestra, North Eastern Folk.
Ken composes his own music on a variety of instruments, in collaboration with storytellers 'A Bit Crack', Theatre sans Frontieres, The Sage Gateshead, Tenth Avenue Band and 4 Corners Music Network: 4cornersmusic.com.
Founder member of: 'Caedmon', Edinburgh-based folk rock band in '70's (whose eponymous vinyl album is now a collectors item), 'The Tenth Avenue Band' street band in Newcastle, 'The Newcastle All Stars Steel Orchestra' & currently the leader of The Sage Gateshead's World Carnival Band: 'Meze Mundo'.
Recently finished acting and singing in 'Around the World in 80 Minutes' Theatre sans Frontieres production. The show features a stunning mix of live action and video filmed on location in Europe, Tunisia, Cameroon and Quebec. Ken composed the music TSF's shows:'80 mins', 'Le Tour de France' and 'La Pelota Magica' and 'Contes Dores'..... these were fine opportunities to write for soundtracks as well as for live performance.
He sings, and plays 'cello, accordion, ukulele, double bass, tuba, charanga, trombone, guitar, & steel pan. Bass player with Newcastle's 'Black Cab': a band with 'the aroma of performing seals'......
"TALES FOR THE TURNING YEAR" ...... a cycle of 4 seasons of storytelling and music with Chris Bostock cycles around again in June - August 2008. Talesfortheturningyear.co.uk gives all the info you need.
As co director of 4 CORNERS MUSIC, he leads world music and jazz workshops with all ages from early years upward. Djembe workshops are the most popular alongside the facilitation of musicians to discover their ability to improvise. 4 Corners provide INSET for teachers, write songs and musicals for schools: e.g. 'Baboushka' & 'A Mummer's Christmas' and broker work for world musicians in educational settings. Publications include: Making Music On the Line, and Jazz Building Blocks.
He next performs with Black Cab on 16th February at The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle, 8pm and with Meze Mundo in 'The Long Walk' at The Sage Gateshead on 4th and 5th April.
Hello Ken how did you know we had changed our name? Does this mean you've blown our cover! My favourite tune is chinese whispers. How is your tour going? hope all is good for you love Simon
