This Saturday (19th April), Downend Folk Club throws open its doors for the very first time with a concert by the fabulous Bright Season.
Bright Season, a traditional folk trio based in South Yorkshire, bring together influences from the traditional music of England and Scandinavia to deliver foot-stomping tunes, dramatic ballads and heart-warming harmonies.
The trio formed in 2013, merging the talents of singer and guitarist Michael J Tinker, fiddle-player Ella Sprung and accordionist Simon Dumpleton. Together they perform traditional and self-penned songs and tunes, displaying their own individual gifts and combining to deliver stunning arrangements and harmonies.
Included in their set are traditional ballads such as 'The House Carpenter', a cappella arrangements of 'John Ball' and the 'shape-note' song 'Africa' and also tune sets drawing on influences from European folk. This is particularly brought to the fore with Ella's Nyckelharpa.
Michael J Tinker has performed and recorded with Damien O'Kane (Kate Rusby band) and Katriona Gilmore and is currently working on a collaborative project with Bella Hardy, Josienne Clarke, The Young'uns, Tom Oakes, Ian Stephenson and Jon Boden. In addition he has supported Bellowhead, Lucy Ward, Sam Carter, Maz O'Connor and many more.
Ella Sprung is a fiddle player, singer and dancer. She specialises in French, Breton, and Scandinavian folk music, and performs with European folk dance band Trip the Light and folk groups Gallivant and Jack's Rake. In addition to playing the fiddle she also plays the Swedish Nyckelharpa.
Simon Dumpleton is a multi-instrumentalist who has performed with numerous people including Kirsty Bromley and in the ceilidh band Trinculo. He has recently produced recordings for Jess and Richard Arrowsmith, Hekety, Outre Manche and the Melrose Quartet.
The concert in Downend is being held at Christ Church before we move to our new home at Frenchay Village Hall in May. Advance tickets are no longer available, but you can buy tickets on the door for £10.
In addition to the concert, you'll also be able to get hold of Bright Season's brand-new CD, while copies of The Living Tradition magazine and Downend Folk Club pin-badges will be on sale. There will be a raffle with some great prizes, and light refreshments will be available to buy (please note that there is no bar at this event... but we'll be putting that right in May!).
We're very excited... see you there?
12.4.14