Nancy Kerr

Already a respected interpreter of traditional material, Nancy’s emergence as a writer of rare style has drawn comparisons to William Blake in her reawakening of a radical folk mythology as a backdrop for contemporary narratives. Nancy is one of the most celebrated folk musicians of her generation, and has won 6 Folk Awards from BBC Radio 2 and appeared in various prestigious groups such as Melrose Quartet and Simpson, Cutting, Kerr as well as collaborations including The Full English and The Elizabethan Sessions.

Macdara Yeates

Described as “a deep and intense performer” (Irish Music Magazine), Macdara Yeates is known for his performances of Irish classics, docker songs and the forgotten ballads of his Dublin neighbourhood. Macdara has a crystal-clear voice that contains echoes of the declamatory style of Luke Kelly and the emotional depth-charge of Liam Weldon, yet his full-bodied singing is never anything but his own.

Georgia Shackleton

Georgia works with fiddle, voice, tenor guitar and drones to create crisp arrangements of old songs, and new compositions. She takes great influence from the traditional singers of the East of England such as Harry Cox, Walter Pardon and Phoebe Smith. Her solo album, ‘Harry’s Seagull’ is a celebration of East Anglian traditional music named after a tune she wrote and dedicated to Harry Cox, who kept a wounded seagull as a pet for a period of time. Georgia will be performing this material along with Aaren Bennett on guitar and appearing solo in the evening concert.

James Delarre and Saul Rose

James and Saul are known for their warmth and exquisitely delivered traditional tunes and songs. The duo intertwine seamlessly; dancing around the tunes and breathing fresh energy into the music. A founding member of the critically acclaimed Topette!!, Mawkin, and Mawkin:Causley, James has established himself as a stalwart of the English traditional music scene. Saul is a renowned melodeon player and singer. A long-time member of Waterson:Carthy, he has an unrivalled record of membership of premier folk bands including Faustus, Eliza Carthy’s Wayward Band and Whapweasel.  

The Scan Tester Fan Club

The Scan Tester Fan Club are Will Duke (concertina), Liz Evans (fiddle), Jonathan Burrows (one row melodeon), and Pete Rogan Bassoon. They’re dedicated to the style and tunes of the great traditional Sussex concertina player Scan Tester, whose instrument Will plays. The music is rhythmically driven and highly ornamented, interspersed with songs from Will Duke’s unique repertoire.

Belinda Kempster & Fran Foote

Belinda and Fran are a mother and daughter duo from Essex who sing folk songs from their family and home county without frills or fuss. Belinda began singing traditional songs in the 1960s. Many of their songs were learned from Fran’s great uncle and farm labourer Ernie Austin, who was recorded for Topic’s ‘Voice of the People’ release ‘Flash Company’ in 1974.

Matt Quinn

Primarily a mandolin and duet concertina player, Matt is well known for his skills on the melodeon and as a singer. He currently performs solo, in a duo with George Sansome (Granny’s Attic), and with the unaccompanied harmony trio Culverake. Matt created “In The Roud” a regular folk song podcast delving into the world of traditional folk song via the Roud Index and presents a live podcast version for us with the help of Steve Roud and Belinda Kempster and Fran Foote.

The Medlars

Originally formed in 2009 The Medlars are folk trio from Essex, performing songs and tunes originated and ro oted in the folk tradition, revisiting and creating new arrangements of classic English folk songs with a contemporary feel.  Its current line up formed from a chance encounter at Folk East 2017, The Medlars are now Alie Barnes – vocals, Emma Hardy – fiddle/vocals, Tom Hardy guitar/vocals.

Mossy Christian and Megan Wisdom 

Hailing from Lincolnshire and East Anglia respectively, Mossy Christian and Megan Wisdom perform traditional English folk songs, unaccompanied or supported by a variety of instruments. With songs from traditional singers such as Cyril Poacher, Sam Larner, and Oscar Woods, influenced by revival era performers such as Peter Bellamy, Anne Briggs and Nic Jones. There are instrumental tunes too, with one row melodeon and saxophone complementing the mix.

Katie Howson

A freelance performer, tutor, researcher and animateur, well known of course, for being the Artistic Director of the East Anglian Music Trust until 2017. Katie plays traditional music on the melodeon and harmonica and has spent much of her life either playing traditional music or passing it on to others.

Michael Sheehy & Alan Block

Michael plays the piano accordion and is one of the finest exponents of the music of the Cork, Kerry, Limerick border. He plays in a style which is firmly rooted in the traditions of Sliabh Luachra. Michael is joined by fiddler Alan Block who also featured on Michael’s album on Veteran, The Cat’s Rambles.

The Harbour Inn Crowd

The collection of musicians who are residents at The Harbour Inn Sessions in Southwold host monthly inclusive “sing, say or play” events based on traditional Suffolk pub evenings. Tunes, songs and stepdancing from local and visiting musicians and guests. This social and relaxed occasion will give you the chance to palay or perform your party piece.

Dick Miles

Dick has been professional for 50 years, living for many years in Suffolk. His repertoire is traditional song including songs from East Anglia and beyond, both unaccompanied and with concertina. He showcases his new cd “Down Memory Lane”.

The Old Timers String Band

This fiddle-led band plays a wide selection of traditional tunes from both sides of the Atlantic, from close to home to considerably far afield, reflecting the cross traffic of traditional music across the generations. The line up is Chris Holderness on fiddle, Phil Williams on bouzouki, David Reeves on 5 string banjo, Carly Stephens on fiddle, with Richard Blake on dulcimer.

Christopher Heppa

Chris became interested in folk music aged around 17, but had no idea of the existence of recorded traditional singers, until when working abroad around 1974, he discovered Harry Cox. Once home, he visited Catfield and met Harry’s daughter and son in law.  Seeing that no one was researching this great singer, he began to interview relations, friends and local people, and continues to do so until the present, writing widely on the subject.

John Row

John is a world renowned Storyteller, an East Anglian who has performed locally, nationally and internationally for over fifty years. He has told stories, recited his poetry and run workshops on four continents in schools, prisons, museums, libraries and festivals. He published his autobiography “Pootling Through: A Life of Diversions” last year.

Chris Holderness

Lecturer, music historian and musician, Chris has a long-standing interest in the musical traditions of East Anglia. With much experience as lecturer, writer and performer, he spent many years performing local traditional music with Rig-a-Jig-Jig and Hushwing, as well as in other capacities, and has spent many years researching the area’s rich traditional music legacy. 

Otis Luxton

Otis is a melodeon player and woodworker with his roots firmly grounded in East Anglia.  He studied melodeon at Newcastle University before embarking on a career as a luthier, as well as working in music education. He is influenced by contemporary accordion players from across the world and is m happiest when playing in sessions or for dance.

Eammon Andrews

Eammon is a longstanding supporter of EATMT and an active Trustee. He is a regular singer on the local scene, often acting as an MC at local sessions as well as dancing with Old School Rapper and displaying his step dancing skills.

Kerry Fletcher

A renowned chorographer and traditional dancer, Kerry is Co-Artistic Director of Folk Dance Remixed and coordinator of EFDSS’s Folk Education Network. Kerry has hosted step dancing sessions at EATMD for many years and runs a stepping workshop again this year. She will be accompanied by eclectic fiddler, singer and songwriter and Tim Brooks.

Fiona Davies

Fiona is a traditional Norfolk step dancer now based near Edinburgh. She is also an artist, village sign painter, music promoter and a key figure in the Trusts’ Stepdancing activities. She appeared on the BBC’s Repair Shop programme last year featuring the dancing boots of her father Richard Davies.

George Monger

George is a folklorist, researcher and musician and leads monthly music sessions at 11 Market Place, a key Music Day venue. He is an active volunteer for the John Peel Centre and a key member of the Traditional Music Day volunteer team