Enjoy a drink from the bar, and an informal evening of folk music from some of our most popular tutors.
This gig brings together two virtuoso musicians in guitar and mandolin alongside the fine voice of Hilary James.
“A remarkable mandolin player… displaying a dazzling fluidity, Mayor is also master of tonal variations.” R2 Magazine
Hilary James has recorded six critically acclaimed solo song albums including English Sketches, which appeared in the Sunday Times Ten Best World Music Albums of the Year. Her voice is quintessentially English but easily crosses the great musical divides from British folk song to blues and Berlioz.
‘One of Britain’s finest voices’ BBC Radio 4
‘Hilary James’ vocal radiates light and beauty’ Living Tradition
‘Songs were never sung as exquisitely’ FRoots
You can find Hilary at hilaryjames.com
You can also catch Simon and Hilary with one of their bands ‘Slim Panatella and the Mellow Virginians’ in March
BBC Folk Award winner Ben Walker is hailed as one of ‘the best acoustic guitarists in the world right now’ by Total Guitar magazine. A versatile composer and producer, as well as a celebrated instrumentalist, his passion is putting old jewels in new settings. Ben’s signature style has been sought out from punk to Proms, from Rough Trade to the Royal Shakespeare Company. His solo album, Echo, was released in July 2019 to critical acclaim and his characteristically warm, whimsical and virtuosic solo set regularly delights folk audiences in the UK and further afield.
“A fabulous, versatile guitarist”. Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2, The Folk Show
“Just floors me every time I hear it…his guitar playing is second to none”. Verity Sharp, BBC Radio 3, The Late Junction
“Beautiful… stunning, some of the best guitar playing you are likely to hear”. Greg Russell, BBC New Traditions