Baldock and Letchworth Folk Club

Come along and join us - everybody welcome, whether you want to play, sing, or just listen!

Phil Rosenthal is a nationally renowned singer, songwriter, recording artist and record producer. For many years the lead singer and guitarist in the popular bluegrass group The Seldom Scene, he is also highly respected for his instrumental skills on banjo and mandolin. Phil began his professional career as mandolin player and singer in the New England-based bluegrass bands Apple Country and Old Dog. In 1977, he joined The Seldom Scene, travelling widely with the group throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan, including appearances at the Grand Old Opry and the White House. He recorded seven albums with the band, receiving a Grammy nomination for his work on Scene 20. In 1986, he left the group in order to run American Melody, a recording company founded with wife Beth Sommers, devoted to producing bluegrass and folk music for children and families.

Come along and join us - everybody welcome, whether you want to play, sing, or just listen!

Come along and join us - everybody welcome, whether you want to play, sing, or just listen!

We are delighted to welcome Andy back to the club. Andy Irvine has been hailed as 'a tradition in himself'. Musician, singer and songwriter, he has maintained both personal integrity and highly individual performing skills throughout his 40-year career. From Sweeney's Men in the mid sixties and the enormous success of Planxty in the 70s, to THE Irish super group, Patrick Street, since the 80s, and his current 'dream band', Mozaik, Andy has been a world music pioneer and icon for traditional music and musicians. He is perhaps one of Ireland’s finest musical ambassadors. As well as a first class musician and singer, Andy is also a truly engaging performer.

Mary Humphreys and Anahata are established on the British folk scene as enthusiastic and entertaining performers of traditional material. With extensive research, skilled musicianship and a huge variety of instruments they have unearthed and brought back to vivid life some rare gems of English song and music. They are continually busy at festivals and folk clubs, with concert performances, workshops and presentations, playing for dancers such as Pig Dyke Molly and collaborating with other artists from time to time. They have made four albums of their music, the latest, "Cold Fen" released in March 2009. Mary sings traditional songs, mostly in English and a few in her native Welsh, and plays banjo and concertina. Anahata accompanies with melodeons, concertina and cello, and they play instrumental arrangements, mostly of English traditional music.

'A One-Man Folk Industry!' was how Jim Lloyd described Pete Coe on Radio 2. With a vast repertoire of traditional & original songs, dance tunes & dances playing bouzouki, melodeon, dulcimer, banjo & step percussion, he's been a professional musician since 1971. Pete looks to the tradition, but doesn't shrink from adapting and reinventing in order to move forward. He is essentially a storyteller, equally at home with lengthy traditional ballads as with pithy self-penned songs. He has recorded ten albums, broadcasts regularly on local and BBC radio and has appeared in several television programmes.

Come along and join us - everybody welcome, whether you want to play, sing, or just listen!

Currently taking the world by storm, Vicki and Jonny are rightly establishing themselves as 'one of the best duos around on the folk scene today’ (Famous Willows Folk Club). Although best-known for their instrumental skills with Scottish Smallpipes, accordion and even Swedish Nyckelharpa, the duo are well recognised for their songs arrangements too. With their blend of traditional material and contemporary interpretations, they have developed a sound that is both familiar and fresh. Vicki and Jonny’s strong educational background makes their workshops as powerful for a festival event as their performances.

“The Original Derby Ram” Folk singer and concertina virtuoso. Vocal and instrumental music, social and ceremonial dance have all played a role in Keith Kendrick’s career, which has spanned nearly four decades to date and involved a relentless pursuit of the best ways to communicate to others the inspiration that has motivated him. A stage presentation which values humour, whilst maintaining respect for the music and a wry, vernacular delivery (which includes rather than patronises), combine with a depth of repertoire and a vocal and instrumental skill to make his performances a pleasure. If you want an example of someone for whom folk music and life have become completely inseparable – a true folk musician – look no further than Keith.

Sandy and Ewan have been touring together since 2006, initially across Scotland then with a trip to the Middle East. Hong Kong & Australia. Their first album as a duo was in 2006, and since then they have continued to tour. Together Ewan and Sandy play a mixture of Scottish, Irish and English traditional songs and tunes, together with contemporary folk songs and original compositions.
Sandy Brechin, from Edinburgh, is one of the greatest exponents of the Scottish accordion. Known throughout the world having toured and recorded extensively with "Burach", "Seelyhoo", "The Sandy Brechin Band" and his incredibly popular ceilidh band, "The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience". Ewan Wilkinson was brought up in the Scottish Borders, and has a strong grounding in the Scottish song tradition as well as a unique insight into the music south of the border. He is both an emotive singer and an articulate guitarist. Ewan has been hailed as an important new young talent.

Come along and join us - everybody welcome, whether you want to play, sing, or just listen!

A popular Scottish multi-instrumental duo, Tattie Jam offers a distinctive brew of songs, from dark ballads and protest songs to off-the wall humour, and tunes ranging from slow airs to kinetic jigs and reels. Much of their material's given a playful or funky contemporary twist, with contrast provided by the odd starker unaccompanied tune or a capella song. It's a varied but harmonious blend of reinterpreted traditional Scottish songs and tunes, and songs and tunes written by Ruaridh. Thoughtful arrangements and vocal harmonies whilst playing elements of lead, rhythm and percussion give Tattie Jam a sound that's unmistakable, and surprises new listeners with its size and scope

Come along and join us - everybody welcome, whether you want to play, sing, or just listen!

Jon is a 30-something multi-instrumentalist of great talant and a singer with a subperb voice. Amongst his instruments are concertina, melodeon, accordian, fiddle and guitar. A traditional English folk singer at heart, Jon is also very much at home behind the wheel of a hurdy-gurdy giving life to French and Breton tunes.. Jon is also an instrument maker and when not performing he will be found in his Yorkshire based workshop. Oh, and did I mention that he has a wicked sense of humour?

A slightly seasonal singaround… everybody welcome, whether you want to play, sing, or listen!

Come along and join us - everybody welcome, whether you want to play, sing, or just listen!