Sat 6th Sep Blackburn with Darwen Music Service Big Band - website - youtube
'The Blackburn with Darwen Music Service Big Band led by their musical director Paul J Rigby was set up in 2001 to encourage up and coming players who want to develop their musical skills further.
The band has performed at many leading events throughout the north west including: Red Rose Business Awards- Empress Ball Room, Winter Gardens, Blackpool, The Mayors Ball-King Georges Hall-Blackburn, The Royal Northern College of Music Federation of Music Services North West, Manchester, Musical Feast Knowsley, Liverpool, Darwen Live, and the Darwen Jazz & Blues Festival.
Since 2001 they have been on several tours, the first in France and more recently in Belgium, playing on the main stage in Gent for part of their festival. Recently the last two years performing at Aberdeen International Youth Festival.
The band plays a variety of styles and has a wide range of repertoire from Van Morrison to Amy Winehouse, from Herbie Hancock to Nat King Cole.'
Sat 4th Oct TABUKA - with Jane Lawrence, Ben Farmer and Paul Beevers - youtube
A surprising blend of Klezmer and European grooves with a dash of English, Irish and Breton material. This dynamic trio comprises Jane Lawrence on fiddle, Ben Farmer on Accordions and Paul Beevers on guitar and bouzouki. They will inspire you with their driving rhythms and exciting sound.
Jane Lawrence has played and composed music for many years. Originally from Manchester, she studied Ethnomusicology at Goldsmiths and learnt tabla in India with a master musician. She runs HoBow, a community fiddle group in Lancaster.
Ben Farmer plays the accordion and melodeon, which he studied at the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts. Currently he teaches music in a school near Blackpool.
Paul Beevers has played guitar and bouzouki in a number of traditional bands at dance festivals throughout Europe. He has played in Tabuka for around a decade. He has a particular passion for Irish, Klezmer and Breton music. He makes guitars, mandolins and citterns and teaches instrument making at Manchester College of Arts and Technology.
Sat 1st Nov Sarah McQuaid - www.sarahmcquaid.com - youtube
Rising star Sarah McQuaid’s voice has been likened to malt whiskey, melted chocolate and "honey poured into wine" (Minor 7th). A captvating performer, she seduces her audience with cheeky banter and stories from the road, as well as with stunning musicianship; in her hands, the guitar becomes much more than merely an accompanying instrument.
Her musical output reflects her own eclectic background: Sarah was born in in Madrid, (to Spanish and American parents), raised in Chicago, holding dual US and Irish citizenship, she now lives in rural England. Refusing to be pigeonholed, she spans the genres with both her beautifully crafted originals and her interpretations of material from around the globe and down the centuries.
Sarah’s third solo album The Plum Tree and the Rose has drawn critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic.
"Likely to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck." - Aled Jones, BBC Radio 2
"A world class talent ... burns with a brilliant allure." - Living Tradition
"Muziek met diepgang, het neusje van de zalm." - Johan Schoenmakers, Alt Country Forum, The Netherlands
Sat 6th Dec The Garage Band {of Whalley}
For over a decade the Garage Band has been entertaining Folk Clubs and pubs in the North West of England. The four musicians have known each other for much longer, having previously met each other at Jim’s Garage in Whalley, using this as a base for their weekly Saturday practice.
The line-up consists of four musicians who bring a variety and freshness to their music. They mainly perform a selection of Lancashire and Irish material but are continually adding new songs.
Based in Whalley Jim King lives and breathes for his beloved garage, located on the King Street. He still does the occasional car repair but sells an eclectic mix of country style furniture and bric-a-brac that no one could possibly live without. There’s seldom a day when he can’t be heard using his fine tenor voice to fill the rafters of his garage and frighten off the swallows. As well as singing he plays banjo and mandolin.
Pete Monk is another fine singer. He alternates with Jim to present most of the material the group sings. Pete plays English concertina and is a mine of information about much of the material the group sings.
Guitar and penny whistle. Tony Brown's passion is Bob Dylan. He is also our sound engineer.
Violin. Whalley resident and the only full time music professional in the group, Carol Lowe teaches music. Her musical skills have been invaluable in working out many of the arrangements for the songs and instrumentals.
Tickets for any of these events, at the very reasonable price of £6
can be obtained at Jim's Garage, 21 King Street, Whalley
or Whalley Post Office or from David Balfour on 01254 822350
can be obtained at Jim's Garage, 21 King Street, Whalley
or Whalley Post Office or from David Balfour on 01254 822350