2 many 2 name:-Biber -Tom Mconville -Stefan Grappelli -Sibelius -Sepulcatura -Martin Hayes -Boubacar Traore -J.S.Bach -George Crumb -Maya Angelou -Shostakovich -Turtle Island String Quartet -Stuart Hall -Tarif de Haiduk -Kronos Quartett -Paul de Kayser -Laurie Anderson -Oliver Schroer -Stuff Smith -Jo'burg City Stars -Blind Boys of Alabama - and so it goes on...
I have been playing 26 years, I am currently in Ontario, Canada.
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Currently thinking about getting a new band together.
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WHAT I DO
- I love music - if its good, then its good whatever style or genre it fits or doesn't.
- I play whatever - classically trained with a folk background and a jazz degree
- I can read well, improvise in most styles and be a chameleon or an individual, whatever is required.
- I teach privately, gig & call dances at ceilidhs/ barndances.
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INSTRUMENTS
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VIOLIN - l have a lovely instrument made by Christopher Rowe, Isle-of-White in 1997. I use a Bridge 5 string electric for noisy gigs (Robb Johnson aging punk-band for instance), a sonicviolins.co.uk for less loud but manic gigs & jazz gigs, I think the pick-up sound quality beats most other piezzo's into a cocked hat; & for 'accoustic' gigs a headway band (headwayelectronics.com) - it wraps around my nice accoustics body with velcro, doesn't need a DI box, and is amazing! - my violin just got louder, makes life easier than sitting very still playing through a microphone.
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VIOLA- I love this because it has a deep, soulful, sexy sound - apparently my viola is Russian but theres no label.
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'CELLO - Had the opportunity to learn 'cello whilst on a 6 month 'Beowulf" tour with the "English Shakespeare Company" borrowed from another teacher - amazing jazz + ethno-musician Stuart Hall. Found MY cello in a shop in Belgium for £400 - bargain. All bruised and tattered - had it fixed - and its beautiful.
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NYKELHARPE - my lasted aquisition - I have coveted these instruments for 12 years since discovering them at the festival St. Chartiere in France. These instruments have a wow factor so if you don't know them - check it out.
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RECENT EXPERIENCE
- I play as a duo with Steafan Hannigan who plays every instrument wierd and wonderful - bagpipes/flutes/whistles/percussion/guitars/bazouki/strummy things - the list is endless...nothing bowed...yet so I am safe for the moment.
- recorded album of experimental, impressionistic pictures music with percussionist Donna Whitlock - just released - theres a couple of tracks on myspace and hers.
- Played and recorded with alot of singer/songwriters: Robb Johnson (irregularrecords.co.uk) George Papovgeris, Sonja Kristina (Curved Air), Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker) and many more......also done sessions for Uriah Heep (are they still going - yes, brilliantly!), Ron Korb, and am on Relic Hunter soundtrack.
- Playing as part of house band for Canadian Aboriginal Awards
- Have had the good fortune recently to perform with John Etheridge, Gary Potter and John Wheatcroft - all mighty fine jazz guitarists - playing Grappelli-style gigs.
- Recently had a track co-written by Declan Flynn aka Al-pha-x, played twice on Classic FM's late night chill programme.
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Hi Saskia, It was a real nice surprise to see you all, but a very short journey. Are you on tour as well, or too busy with the little ones? All the best, killy.
hi saskia it was good to hear from you,went to see trevor happy trails great night also saw simpson and cuttings first gig on their tour ,thats the folk awards in the bag it was pure magic,like the wedding set take good care john
Hey girlfriend!! Good to hear from you; hope you're playing lots! We're still in Holland heading for Switzerland on Tuesday. I think we're coming through Ontario late September/early October on our way to Liverpool= we should hook up then ok? maybe play together? Take the best of care; Love Saskia & Darrel
Hi Saskia Greetings from Canterbury! All good wishes for your music in 2008.. Ken a sometime friend of Andy & P G Martin.. AKA The Devotees CANTERBURY/LONDON
allo! You guys are great. We saw you in Bowmanville and Cobourg. (I'm Elizabeth's cousin- the one who plays classical vi :) You have really cute kids too. good hollydays!
Whether you celebrate Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Eid, or Kwanza, or Bodhi Day, or Yule, or Modranect, or Yalda, or Winter Solstice, or Dong zhi, or Saturnalia, or Karachun; we send you our Blessing for Great Joy this Season and a New Year filled with happiness and adventure.
A stunning collection of love songs from Medieval France, Spain and Italy. Played on gothic harp, dulcimer, recorders, bagpipes, hurdy gurdy, pipe and tabor and percussion. Featuring the beautiful singing of Jennie Cassidy and Sophia Brumfitt.
