Cerys Matthews
Cerys Matthews is Welsh born and bred. She shot to fame fronting the band Catatonia, who had a series of hit singles including "Road Rage " and "Mulder and Scully ", as well as number one albums , before she recorded the worldwide seminal hit duet "Baby It's Cold Outside " with Tom Jones . Since then she has become a much respected songwriter and broadcaster , with recent radio programmes on BBC Radio 2 and Radio 6 , where she will soon take on a weekly show . A native Welsh speaker ,she has presented TV programmes on the Mississippi and Dorothy Squires and has just finished filming a BBC2 prime time programme that she wrote and is presenting on Celtic poetry .
Her most recent release , "Awyren= aeroplane" won the Cardiff Eisteddfod prize for music in 2008 . Cerys has just finished recording her third solo album , for release in Septemer 2009 which will also see her tour extensively in Wales and the UK . It is her first time performing the Welsh anthem at a sports event , although not before time as she made no mistake of her her pride in her homeland with the lyric from "International Velvet " on Catatonia's biggest selling international album of the same name, with it's chorus "Every day when I wake up , I thank the Lord I'm Welsh "
Diana Jones
Diana's music is informed by the themes that have run through her life…love, loss, and redemption…bringing to mind both Emily Dickinson & Loretta Lynn in the same breath. From the mournful lament of a dance hall girl, to the stomping melodic rant of a young woman's burial instructions, each of Diana's original songs from her latest CD, My Remembrance of You, draws life from the rich cross currents of old timey, country blues and mountain music.
Adopted as an infant and raised in New York, Diana left home at the age of 15 in search of her roots. Unlike most of her friends, Diana was attracted to the music of Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline, as well as contemporary artists Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton. It wasn't until she was reunited with her birth family and the music of the Eastern Tennessee hills some years later, that she discovered why that music had always moved her.
After establishing a solid folk career in the late 90's in the fertile Austin music scene, Diana returned to the northeast seeking time to heal from the loss of her beloved grandfather, Robert Lee Maranville, who as a young man performed with Chet Atkins among others. It was during this time of healing and isolation, that Diana started writing from a deeper place, and after some serious wood shedding, she emerged with some of the most honest songs of her life.
Will Killeen
A dazzling player with a huge repertoire of songs, Will is a walking
blues history manual, taking you on a journey from Robert Johnson and
Elmore James through to an unlikely but brilliant version of "Duelling
Banjos" - all on one acoustic guitar!
It may all have been said before about Will, and his fans will know
what to expect, but for the uninitiated, you will be dazzled by a
brilliant mix of Elmore James/Robert Johnson and Bob Dylan and more, by
simply stunning guitarist.
Irish acoustic blues player with totally unique style. Celtic roots
mixed with American blues. You can expect songs from early blues
standards through to Dylan classics delivered with inimitable
percussive guitar and whirling vocals. He's also considered to be one
of the foremost slide guitar players in Europe today.
Will Killeen was born in Mayo, Ireland. He taught himself guitar from
the age of 10 then, influenced by Howlin' Wolf, Doc Watson, The Pretty
Things, Robert Johnson, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones to name a few.
Soon he was performing around London and once replaced Rory Gallagher
when Taste was formed. Will's unique-Blues guitar s
tyle shows
influences from a mixture of Country, Celtic, Eastern and Rock music.
He plays regularly at countless venues and festivals around London and
the rest of England, in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy, Germany and
the United States.
Wherever he plays, he amazes audiences with his own compositions and
new arrangements of traditional songs.
Chris Jagger
Whatever else I have done, I always come back to music' says Chris,
who has of necessity done a number of other jobs and worked in the
theatre, journalism and 'any other damn job that will pay the rent.'
He lives in Somerset where he enjoys spending as much time as possible
outdoors, looking after animals and creating a garden with 'anything
you can eat; it's better to grow food, for yourself and whatever flies
by.'
In the 1970's Chris made two records for Billy Gaff and David Geffen
and these albums have now achieved cult status. In the 1980s Chris
worked as a lyricist with Franck Langolf and contributed to two Stones
albums (Dirty Work and Steel Wheels).
It was as recently as 1994 with the release of 'Atcha' (Rock the Zydeco
in the USA) that Chris established his musical identity and plotted a
course that he is still pursuing. That course combines CJ's interest in
Zydeco, Cajun and Country with the underlying strands of R'n'B, Rock
and World music.
Constant touring has enabled Chris to hone his skills
as frontman and vocalist. In his band he also plays guitar and
washboard.
In 1996 Chris recorded an acoustic album with long term associates Ben
Waters and Charlie Hart and there followed the current album 'Channel
Fever' with full line-up.
Chris still has current acoustic projects and in 2002 toured the UK
with fiddle player Robin Mckidd playing clubs and theatres.
Recently Chris, Charlie Hart and Ben Waters appeared on BBC Radio 3
'the Andy Kershaw show' and Radio 4's Ned Sherrin arts programme 'Loose
Ends.'
Calima Flamenco
Bristol-based Flamenco troupe Calima have performed to rave reviews across Europe. Their passionate dance and guitar virtuosity have given them a cult following in Spain, where the art originates.
They have performed across Europe, Russia, Scandinavia and spend part of the year in Spain touring. They are also regulars at festivals and concerts across England but this appearance at Celtic Spirit Music Fest will be their first ever performance in Wales.
John Crampton
Wow! A one-man blues explosion with a big, powerful sound of hard-hitting and danceable up-tempo blues. John plays slide or bottleneck style on a 1930s National Steel Guitar with fantastic harmonica and thumping stomp box to provide a driving rhythm. If you like John's influences - Howlin' Wolf, Bukka White, John Lee Hooker and Ry Cooder - you'll really enjoy John!
He has recently played in Florida, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Czech Republic, Poland, France and Slovakia.
Sonny Black
In concert he performs a wide variety of exquisite and intimate fingerstyle acoustic and slide guitar instrumentals with influences from Blues, World Music, Soul, Country and Jazz.
His albums, including “The Corner Seat” and latest release “The Best Of Days” on Free Spirit Records, receive radio play on BBC Radio 2 and many commercial stations throughout the UK and US. Numerous live sessions on The Paul Jones and Johnnie Walker Shows help to reach a wider audience.
Sonny's CD “Heart and Soul” met with critical acclaim from US major publications Living Blues and Blues Revue, and was made album of the year by the UK's Blues In Britain magazine.
The readers of Blues in Britain magazine voted Sonny Black guitarist of the year in 2002.
Sonny performs with Chris Belshaw on bass and on occasion with fiddle player, drummer and mandolinist.
Recent performances have included The Brecon Jazz Festival (Wales), Bardies Blues Festival (France), Farnham Blues Festival, Crawley Acoustic Festival and Swanage Blues Festival as well as regular appearances at clubs and arts centres.
Reviews:
"An outstanding artist." Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2
“A Sonny Black performance takes you from the Delta to the borders of jazz and back again” Blues On Stage
"There is no one to touch him in this country for wringing true emotion out of his instrument. His technical mastery of acoustic and electric instruments is complete...he possesses that quality that can only be called blues soul." Blues In Britain
“One of the most inspired, thinking guitarists in the UK”. Red Lick Records
“…and if Sonny Black is playing near you solo, duo or with a band, do yourself a favour, go and see something very special” Phoenix FM
Roland Chadwick &
Alan Glen
ROLAND CHADWICK is a Composer, Guitarist and internationally acclaimed recording artist. Born in Australia, Roland made his Sydney Opera House debut in 1988 and has since built a reputation as Australia’s master Guitarist/Composer. Trained as a classical guitarist he plays "anything with frets" - the Classical Guitar, Steel String Acoustic Guitar, Dobro Slide Guitar, Mandolin, Electric Guitar and Synthesiser Guitar.
Roland ‘s performance highlights include: Sydney Opera House - Debut ('88). Italian Tours ('89, '90). Australia's representative at Festival Cervantino in Mexico ('89). Mike Lindup - Level 42. Barriemore Barlow - Jethro Tull. Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. English Chamber Orchestra. Britten Sinfonia. Boston Symphony Orchestra. Australian Invasion with Tommy Emmanuel. Saurang Orchestra – Surinder Sandhu with Steve Vai, Andy Sheppard and the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Current Performance Projects - Native Tung - Roland teams with Barriemore Barlow on drums and Phil Saatchi on Bass. Modern Guitar Trio - This is a ground breaking Contemporary Guitar Trio with Roland Gallery and Vincent Lindsey-Clark. The Blue Healers - This is Roland's blues duo with dynamite Harmonica player Graham Pike. Roland Chadwick & Alan Glen – Another amazing blues duo with ex-Yardbird Alan Glen.
ALAN GLEN (vocals/guitar/harmonica) Alan was a member of 'The Yardbirds' between 1996 and 2003,and features on their new album " Birdland ", with Jeff Beck, Brian May and others. Alan has also recorded 4 albums with 'Nine Below Zero' (Alan was a member between 1991 and 1995), 'Little Axe' (3 Albums ), 'Dr Feelgood', Alannah Myles, 'Dub Syndicate', Junior Delgado, 'Papa George', Daniel Smith and 'Sonny Black & The Dukes'. Alan features on the 'Little Axe CD 'Hard Grind' ,and the brand new " Champagne & Grits" ( Virgin 'Real World' CDRW 119 )
Alan has performed with Eric Clapton, B.B.King, 'Slash', Steve Vai, Steve Lukather, Hubert Sumlin, John Mayall, Peter Green and 'Skunk' Baxter and has played at 'The Royal Albert Hall' (many times),' The Hilton'- Las Vegas, Hollywood 'House of Blues', and Montreux and Nice Jazz Festivals, as well as various TV and Radio performances.
Alan’s current projects include: The INCREDIBLE BLUES PUPPIES - a blues foursome, THE BARCODES - a unique and exceptional trio who mix blues and jazz with influences from Mose Allison and Jimmy Smith, producing their very own instantly recognisable sound, an exceptional band whose level of musicianship is first class. ROLAND CHADWICK & ALAN GLEN, a guitar and harmonica blues duo – an amazing combination – ex-Yardbird with the Wizard of Oz!
Julian Mark Stringle
Has played on concert, club, festival and broadcast dates with his own band and with:- Peanuts Hucko, Wild Bill Davidson, George Chisholm, Don Lusher, Kenny Baker, Cleo Lane & Sir John Dankworth. He has recorded with John Parricelli, Digby Fairweather, Danny Moss, Sam Brown, Roy Williams, Jim Mullen, Marc Almond, Tommy Whittle, George Melly, Joe Brown, Chas & Dave, The Grid and the Spice Girls! He has appeared at Wembley Arena with Meatloaf.
Julian is currently starring with the new Digby Fairweather Half Dozen, backing Paul Jones and leading The Dream Band his own exciting and melodic Latin-influenced jazz funk quintet featuring keyboard virtuoso Neil Angilley, Canadian Guitar star Dominic Ashworth, Bass ace Chris Dodd, stylish vocalist Jacqui Hicks and the dynamic Mike Bradley on Drums. They have recently returned from a successful European tour where they played the first ever jazz concert in Albania.
His first album 'Pathfinder' featuring John Parricelli, Dudley Phillips, James Bannerman and Ralph Salmins was distributed by Polygram. Polygram TV released ‘Beach Samba' a Latin Classics dance album featuring Julian with an 18 piece big band and strings. Merfangle Music have released two albums featuring Julian and The Dream Band - *‘Sundance’ a melodic easy listening album and ‘blues for the morning after’ a successful blend of blues, ballads, bebop and Latin jazz, which has had rave reviews. He has three further albums in production with Merfangle - ‘LA Sunset’ a smooth and jazz funk album featuring Julian and The Dream Band aimed at the Californian market, 'This is always' is his debut vocal album and 'It's Clazzical' a cross-over album of melodic classical themes performed by Julian, The Dream Band and 'The Teardrops' - noted violinist Julian Tear's string quartet. A single from the 'its clazzical' album of George Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue' performed by Julian and guitarist /arranger Dominic Ashworh is already available.
Julian plays Clarinet, Alto & Tenor Saxes and Sings - but the Clarinet is his passion and he is now recognised as the most stylish performer on the instrument in Europe.
He was voted 'Best Clarinettest' at the British Jazz Awards 2006.
Julian’s highly melodic music and unique sound reaches the younger audience while his soul, original writing and phenomenal technique on his instrument excites the jazz aficionados.
"The best clarinettest to emerge in British jazz for decades" - Sir John Dankworth.