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MATTHEW ORD is a London based singer/guitarist specialising in the folk music of America and the British Isles. A dedicated musician with a passion for folk and traditional music from an early age, his repertoire reflects the breadth of these traditions. His live performances draw together the delta blues, English ballads, jigs, reels, protest songs and nursery rhymes, all performed with warmth and conviction.

In 2005 Matthew made the decision to pursue a performing career and has since opened for guitarists Albert Lee and Pierre Bensusan and shared the bill with among others, Tom McRae, Kathryn Williams, Martin Simpson and Seth Lakeman. In that time he has played many of the U.K’s major festivals either as a solo musician or with the band Hey Negrita and crossed the Atlantic to play shows in New York, Edmonton, Alberta and at SXSW festival in Austin, TX. He was also featured in Alex Walker’s documentary “We Dreamed America”, an exploration of London’s Americana scene which premiered at the SXSW film festival in March 2008, and for which Matthew also provided part of the soundtrack.

The next twelve months will see the release of a solo record, more London shows, including a slot supporting Martin Carthy’s Brass Monkey and, with Hey Negrita, festivals and gigs in Europe, the U.S and Canada, including Canadian Music Week in Toronto and a return to Austin for SXSW 2009. This summer Matthew will also be playing numerous dates in the UK and Canada with the absurdly talented Dana Wylie Band.

CARLY FREY, who also plays and sings on these recordings has been fiddling her way around the world for more than a decade now: from symphony orchestras to Scottish Ceilidhs to American bluegrass to the rhythms of Afro-fusion.

She began her folk travels with Jeremy Walsh in British Columbia, playing theatres and festivals throughout Canada, the U.S. and Scotland before joining the critically acclaimed fiddling extravaganza ‘Barrage’ in 2002. With this troupe of travelling minstrels, she performed over 300 days a year throughout North America, Europe, China, Taiwan, Singapore and New Zealand. Carly also appeared in the Walt Disney film ‘A Magical Gathering’, and featured on the album and DVD special “Barrage: Vagabond Tales” (Swath Publishing) which aired on the CBC, PBS, and Bravo Networks. In 2005 she landed in East Africa and performed extensively with the artist Hellon James as well as recorded traditional music with the street children of the arts-based orphanage, ‘Shangilia Mtoto Wa Afrika’ (‘Rejoice Child of Africa’).

In 2006 she joined the Kenyan-based Afro-fusion group ‘Abbi and Kikwetu’ on their European tour and featured at the prestigious North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland. She is also a regular performer with the Unity Concert Series and the Soulforce Projects based in Kenya and Spain - showcases of musician activists within peace and reconciliation processes. These days, she is freakishly excited about getting back to her Celtic roots with the Matthew Ord Band.

PAUL SANDY played bass on the tunes which have bass on them. He's a long standing member of the Coal Porters and hey Negrita.

JOEL MCDERMOTT is the other guitarist on 'Whiskey Before Breakfast'. He's also a great mandolinist.

For enquiries about recording work, tuition and bookings call 07592 591718 or email:

matthewdord@googlemail.com

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