A-Z
Bill Murray
Bill has been singing songs from the northern slopes of Dartmoor for over fifty years. Songs about country life, most of them humorous, learnt from older generations of singers at get-togethers in village halls, fairs and inns. He plays many of the old dance tunes on the English concertina at pub sessions all over the Moor and recites many very funny dialect stories and anecdotes from Devonshire and beyond.
You will find Bill in the Royal British Legion – Guest appearance with Liz Giddings & Roger Digby – 2.00pm-3.15pm FREE EVENT and again in The Royal British Legion in the Informal Evening Concert – 7.30pm-10.30pm This is a ticketed event. Doors open at 7.00pm
Capstan Full Strength
Capstan Full Strength are a strong vocal harmony group who have sung songs of the sea, land and work since 1998. Their powerful ‘broadside’ of sound has been welcomed at festivals in Europe, Scandinavia and the British Isles . ‘Capstan FS’ offer an incredibly broad repertoire of maritime songs enhanced with beautiful harmonies and arrangements that will leave you enchanted.
Join them from 7.30pm-10.30pm at 11 Market Place for an Evening of Sea Songs and Shanties. FREE EVENT
Damien Barber
Damien Barber is a stylish and distinctive singer, be it unaccompanied or alongside his guitar or English concertina. He has been heavily influenced by such earlier singers as Peter Bellamy and Walter Pardon from his native Norfolk.
Damien Barber invites some of his oldest friends and inspirations to join him in an informal concert celebrating the Norfolk folk song revival of the 1970s & 80s. With Tony Hall, Sheila Park, Dick Miles, Molly Barrett (Nudds), Rita Gallard and father, Mike Barber at the John Peel Centre, 2.00pm-3.30pm. FREE EVENT
Damien will also be performing a solo spot at the John Peel Centre in the Evening Concert – 7.30pm-10.30pm. This is a ticketed event. Doors open at 7.00pm.
Eammon Andrews
Eammon is a long term supporter of EATMT and more recently is an active Trustee. He is a regular singer on the East Anglian Traditional scene, regularly acting as MC at local sessions. Eammon has also recently added the art of Stepdancing to his bow
Eammon is leading a teatime Chance to Sing Session in 11 Market Place from 5.00pm-6.30pm. He is also one of the dancers in the Rapper side Old School Rapper who are dancing during the day.
East Anglian Storytellers
Dave Tonge is a jobbing teller of tales. An itinerant journeyman who performs at festivals, museums, heritage sites and schools. He has written three books, Tudor Folk Tales, Norfolk Folk tales for Children and Medieval Folk tales for Children, with a forth, Trickster Tales From Many Lands, due in 2025. Dave specialises in telling period rich and often irreverent tales shared by the poorer folk long ago. From poor penniless pedlars to lazy long limbed lads!
Chris Richardson. Chris is a relative newcomer to the art of performance storytelling, but stories have been a constant companion through his life. Chris has collected and mixed snippets of myth and story from wherever he has found himself, be they the classical tales of ancient mythologies, the eerie moors and spirits of Devon, the rich rural traditions of East Anglia, or the sneaky shapeshifters of Japan.
Chris’s experience in working with children with special needs has led him to develop a quirky style, mixing story with verse, song, audience participation or sometimes a few little surprises!
East Anglian Storytellers Dave Tonge and Chris Richardson will be popping up across the town telling tales and promoting a new Storytelling Club which is being set up in Stowmarket as part of the East Anglian Storytelling Festival. They will be telling from 11am throughout the day at various venues with an official stop-off at Stowmarket Library where they join John Row who will be leading a Story Round at 1.00pm. FREE EVENT
Ellen Mitchell
Ellen Mitchell was born in Glasgow, but left as a very small baby, to live in Kirn, Dunoon and Innellan, along the Clyde Coast.
As a teenager she went Youth Hostelling and camping which broadened her repertoire as she took part in sing-songs in common rooms and round camp fires. Then there was the Jack Elliot, Derrol Adams, Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie phase. The discovery of folk clubs and festivals took Ellen further into the music, and heard more traditional song.
Ellen has learned songs by instinct as they appealed and is aware that a large part of her repertoire is love songs – but is also attracted to ballads and a wee bit of comedy.
Ellen, along with her late husband Kevin, recorded a double CD (Have a Drop Mair) on the Musical Traditions label.
Ellen makes a guest appearance at the Royal British Legion with Peter & Barbara Snape from 12.00pm-1.15pm (FREE EVENT) and you will find her there again at the Informal Evening Concert at 7.30pm-10.30pm (this is a ticketed event). Doors open at 7.00pm.
Finn Collinson & Archie Churchill-Moss
We’re delighted to welcome back Finn Collinson, East Anglian musician widely regarded as a ground-breaking recorder player on the English folk scene, as well as a distinguished guitarist, vocalist, tunesmith and educator. He is joined by Archie Churchill-Moss.
Archie first started the Diatonic Accordion at the age of 9 in Somerset. His family have always had a firm foot in the English tradition and he is also widely regarded as one of best players of English Traditional Folk.
As well as individual musicians and educators, Finn and Archie are part of the The Finn Collinson Band.
Catch them at the John Peel Centre, 12.30pm-1.30pm for an Instrumental Tune Workshop: Finn and Archie will teach an instrumental tune, using it to discuss ways of injecting groove, energy and personality into your playing. Their tips will help you improve your session skills, ensemble work and solo playing. All instruments welcome; music will be taught by ear. FREE EVENT
They will also be performing in the Evening Concert at the John Peel Centre – 7.30pm-10.30pm. This is a ticketed event. Doors open at 7.00pm.
George Monger
George is a folklorist, researcher and musician and leads monthly music sessions in 11 Market Place. He is also an active volunteer for the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts and a much respected member of the Traditional Music Day volunteer team.
George and his Folk Sessioners from the monthly sessions held at 11 Market Place will be leading a Welcome Session in the John Peel Centre from 10.30am-12.00pm.
Then join George with fellow Dulcimer musicians Richard Blake and Sally Whytehead for a talk about their latest Dulcimer Finds and a chance to have a go on the Dulcimer – in its specific East Anglian Tuning – 1.00pm-2.30pm at St Peter’s Hall on Church Walk.
The Harbour Inn Crowd
The collection of musicians – who are residents at The Harbour Inn Sessions in Southwold – will host this inclusive ’sing, say or play’ event. Based on a typical traditional Suffolk pub evening, the session will include tunes, songs and step dancing from local & visiting musicians and guests.
A session not to be missed! Grab your instruments and join the Crowd for a Music and Song Session. Hosted by Derek Simpson at the JPC 11 Market Place from 12.30pm-2.30pm. FREE EVENT
Harbour Lights Trio
Rob Neal, Derek Simpson and Alvar Smith aka The Harbour Lights Trio, entertain us with East Anglian Songs & Tunes on concertinas, melodeon, banjo, ‘cello, guitar & harmonica at the John Peel Centre’s Evening Concert – 7.30pm-10.30pm. This is a ticketed event. Doors open at 7.00pm.
Jackie Oates
Jackie Oates is an English Folk Musician, Singer, Performer and Educator. Jackie lives in Oxfordshire with her young family. After 17 years and seven solo albums Jackie Oates is a central figure in the accomplished, informed and stylistically individual English traditional music scene that began in the early 2000s and continues to thrive. Photo credit: Anna Fuchs.
Jackie is joined by Jon Wilks, a prominent fingerpicking guitarist and singer who performs traditional English folk songs and broadside ballads and is also the founder and editor of Tradfolk.co – a website dedicated to the traditional music and ritualistic culture of England.
They will be performing at the John Peel Centre in the Evening Concert – 7.30pm-10.30pm. This is a ticketed event. Doors open at 7.00pm.
John Marshall-Potter
John is co-founder of FolkEast. His experience spans thirty-plus years and various roles at every major UK festival, starting out as the site electrician at Knebworth for Led Zeppelin in 1979. He has been a long-term promoter – booking folk-legends like Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick into long-lost clubs and pubs in East Anglia 25 years ago,
With his passion for the Blaxhall Ship and traditional music, one of John’s projects for 2023-24 has been the re-creation of The Larks They Sang Melodious album – celebrating 50 years since its original creation which was recorded at the Blaxhall Ship. Find out more at The Stowmarket Scout Centre, from 4.00pm-5.00pm where John will be joined by one of the musicians on that original recording, Tony Hall. There will be an opportunity to buy this second volume on the day. FREE EVENT
John Row
John Row is a world renowned Storyteller (he is the Artistic Director of the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival). He’s a ‘local lad’, who has performed locally, nationally and internationally for 50 plus years.
He cut his teeth at Ipswich Arts Centre in the 1970s and became a regular performer at the East Anglian Albion Fairs in the 1980s turning his hand to Storytelling in the late 1980s.
John will be proudly carrying his newly published autobiography Pootling Through: A Life of Diversions around the town. His first wonderful book Out of the Hat was published in 2010.
John will be “pootling” around the town from 11.00am, stopping to tell his tales as and where he sees fit. You can catch him in Stowmarket Library from 1.00pm until 2.00pm where he will be leading a Story Round with two more East Anglian Storytellers – Dave Tonge and Chris Richardson. FREE EVENTS.
This will be an ideal time to buy a signed copy of John’s autobiography!
Katie Howson
Co Founder of the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust in 2000, and one of its valued Patrons, Katie needs very little introduction!
Katie’s musical education took place largely once she moved to Suffolk in the late 1970s, learning from an older generation of traditional musicians playing in a number of pubs in Suffolk.
She spends her time either playing traditional music or passing it on herself as well as being a researcher, writer, event organiser and Artistic Agent.
Katie will be giving a talk in the Stowmarket Scout Centre on local musician Fred Whiting – A Life in Songs (11.00am-12.30pm). Katie knew Fred “Pip” Whiting, from Kenton in Suffolk for ten years and was always fascinated by his stock of rare and apparently unique songs. In this audio-visual presentation Katie will look at Fred’s life and why these songs meant so much to him, and will also look in some depth at one or two of his very special songs. FREE EVENT
Also at the Scout Centre, Katie will be introducing Megan Wisdom’s new book Handmade Music -Suffolk Voices from the John Howson Collection where there will be an opportunity to buy a copy.
Katie then joins Roger Digby and Liz Giddings at the Informal Evening Concert in the Royal British Legion, 7.30pm – 10.30pm. This is a ticketed event. Doors open at 7.00pm.
Liz Giddings & Roger Digby
Roger Digby (anglo concertina) and Liz Giddings (fiddle) are both known for their commitment to traditional English dance music. Roger goes back to the earliest days of Flowers and Frolics in the mid-1970s; Liz, a generation younger, currently plays in the English String Band alongside some of the best fiddle players in the country.
Join Liz and Roger for a Showcase Performance at the Royal British Legion 2.00pm-3.15pm. They will be joined by Bill Murray. FREE EVENT
They perform again at the Royal British Legion for the Informal Evening Concert 7.30pm-10.30pm where they will be joined by Katie Howson. This is a ticketed event. Doors open at 7.00pm.
Mary Humphreys & Anahata
Mary and Anahata are folk singers and musicians, specialising in traditional English material. They were based in Cambridgeshire for almost twenty years and are now based in West Yorkshire.
Mary will be presenting a talk on “Lesser Known East Anglian Songs” in the Scout Centre, 2.30pm-3.30pm. (FREE EVENT) Then catch them performing in the Royal British Legion for the Informal Evening Concert from 7.30pm-10.30pm. This is a ticketed event. Doors open at 7.00pm.
The Medlars
Essex based trio, The Medlars, formed in 2009 and since 2017, their current line up features Emma Hardy, Tom Hardy and Alie Barnes. They perform songs and tunes originated and rooted in the folk tradition, revisiting and creating new arrangements of classic English folk songs with a contemporary feel.
Join the Medlars for a showcase performance in the Royal British Legion from 4.00pm-5.00pm. FREE EVENT
Michael Sheehy
Michael Sheehy plays the piano accordion is now 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.
Michael and Alan replace Steve Morris who has had to stand down due to illness. We wish him well.
Michael and Alan will lead the Irish Session which takes place in The Royal William from 12.00pm – 2.30pm. FREE EVENT – All Welcome
Mike Bettison & Dan Quinn
Mike & Dan play melodeon and ukulele and sing. Together and separately they were part of bands which changed the way English dance music is played – Flowers & Frolics and Gas Mark 5. They also sing songs from the music hall and one or two more recent ditties.
Join Mike and Dan for a Music and Song Session in 11 Market Place from 3.00pm-4.30pm (FREE EVENT).
They will then be hosting the Informal Concert at the Royal British Legion from 7.30pm-10.30pm. This is a ticketed event. Doors open at 7.00pm.
The Norfolk Broads
The Norfolk Broads are Anna Cornish, Eleanor Dale, Helen Cherry, and Daisy Johnson, a four-piece female ensemble who enjoy singing low-pitched folk songs about love, despair and dastardly boyfriends.
The Broads supply their repertoire of traditional stories with a very contemporary verve and energy, using old songs to fuel new takes on the lives of women both past and present.
The Norfolk Broads will be running a harmony song workshop in St Peter’s and St Mary’s Parish Church 2.30pm-3.30pm. Join the Broads and learn some of their favourite folk song arrangements in this inclusive workshop featuring rounds, ballads and a few things in between. All voices welcome. FREE EVENT
They will also be performing a concert spot in the Evening Concert at the John Peel Centre – 7.30pm-10.30pm. This is a ticketed event. Doors open at 7.00pm.
Old Timers String Band
Bringing you traditional tunes from both sides of the Atlantic, this fiddle-driven band explores the lively dance tunes of both the British Isles and North America, following the historic flow of tunes in both directions. Line up: Chris Holderness: fiddle, Phil Williams: bouzouki, David Reeves: fiddle, Drew Webster: 5 string banjo, Carly Stephens: fiddle. Augmented by: Richard Blake: dulcimer.
You’ll find the Old Timers String Band in The Royal William from 3.00pm-4.30pm. FREE EVENT
Peter & Barbara Snape
Peter and Barbara Snape have a great love of traditional British folk music and a well-deserved reputation for researching varied and interesting songs from their native North West of England and delivering them with commitment, passion and enjoyment.
Join Peter and Barbara at the Royal British Legion 12.00pm-1.15pm with their guest, Ellen Mitchell. FREE EVENT
They will be taking part in the Informal Evening Concert in the evening at the Royal British Legion – 7.30pm-10.30pm. This is a ticketed event. Doors open at 7.00pm.
Phil Lyons
Phil is a singer of traditional and contemporary British folk songs and an experienced performer at Festivals in the UK and France. He joins us this year with his talk on “A Sailor’s Life”.
” Lyons’ singing owes little to other singers from the revival. He is his own man with a distinctive voice.” LIVING TRADITION
Phil offers contemporary 18th and 19th century British songs and broadsides to illustrate various aspects of the social lives of sailors in Nelson’s navy in his talk “A Sailor’s Life” in the Scout Centre, 1.00pm-2.00pm. FREE EVENT.
Tony Hall
There’s another opportunity this year to catch the legend that is Tony Hall where he firstly joins headliner Damien Barber as one of his friends at the John Peel Centre and then is involved with John Marshall-Potter’s Melodious Larks talk.
2.00pm-3.30pm at the John Peel Centre – Damien Barber and Friends; 4.00pm-5.00pm Stowmarket Scout Centre – with John Marshall-Potter celebrating the recording of Volume 2 of The Larks They Sang Melodious album recorded in the Blaxhall Ship 50 years on. FREE EVENTS
Dance Sides – Morris, Molly, Rapper
September sees the end of the Morris dance out season and Traditional Music Day will be for many their final dance out this year. They are all making plans for their autumn/winter practices and recruitment drives. We have 14 sides joining us from across East Anglia. If you’re looking for a fun, active new hobby, take a serious look at these sides and follow the links below for more details about their individual groups.
North West Clog
Haughley Hoofers
AnnieMation
Alive & Kicking
Rising Larks
Danegeld
Cotswold
East Suffolk
Hoxon Hundred
Border
Green Dragon
Bouddica
Belchamp Morris
Hells Bells
Molly
Oxblood Molly
Milkmaid Molly
Rapper
Old School Rapper
“Have A Go” Tutors
We are extremely grateful to our small selection of local musicians who are keen to share their musical and dance skills.
Jill Parson (melodeon), Mike Acott (Concertina), Rita Gallard (Jig Dolls), George Monger (Dulcimer) Richard Blake (Dulcimer), Sally Whytehead (Dulcimer), Poppy Price-Dowhan (Broom Dancing) and Nathan Simms (Broom Dancing) will be ready to guide you expertly during the day at St Peter’s Hall.
11.00am-12.00pm – Have A Go – Melodeons, Concertinas & Jig Dolls
1.00pm-2.30pm – Dulcimer Finds and Have A Go Dulcimers
3.00pm-4.00pm – Have A Go – Broom Dancing
FREE EVENTS
Pallet Bar/Fox Yard Busking Sessions
11.00am – 11.30am Heather Bexon
11.40am – 12.10pm Jack & Molly Bishop
12.20pm – 12.50pm Pete Gosling & Sarah Sloane
1.00pm – 1.30pm Otis Luxton
1.40pm – 2.10pm Sarah Stock
2.20pm – 2.50pm Simon Bentley
3.00pm – 3.30pm Barry O’Brien
3.40pm – 4.10pm Jane Spencer-Rolfe
4.20pm – 4.50pm Lena Jaglowska
5.00pm – 5.30pm Lillith Freeman & Lou Bristow-Bell
Stepdancing
We are joined by a wonderful selection of Stepdancers from across the region and beyond, each with their unique style of Stepdance. Come and watch Fiona Davies, Kerry Fletcher, Doreen West, Ethan Beal, Dom Smith, Michael Czarnobaj, Angela Peacock, Stevie Chenery and more showcase this freestyle dance tradition specific to East Anglia. Tim Brooks accompanies on fiddle.
Come and watch a Stepdance Dance Off in the Market Place, under the Clock 1.00pm-2.00pm. Kerry Fletcher will be then running a Stepdance Workshop from 4.00pm-5.00pm in the John Peel Centre – all welcome! FREE EVENTS
We will be starting the Evening Concert at 7.15pm in the John Peel Centre with a Stepdance Tribute featuring Fiona Davies, Kerry Fletcher, Ethan Beal, Dom Smith & Stevie Chenery supported by musician Tim Brooks. This is a ticketed event. Doors open at 7.00pm.
Stowmarket on Show
Stowupland High School Dance Club demonstrate the Long Sword Dance at the opening of Traditional Music Day, 10.15am John Peel Centre
The following singing groups will be performing throughout the day from 10.45am-2.15pm in The Church of St Peter’s and St Mary’s:
Let’s Sing at Red Gables, formerly known as ‘Singing for the Brain’ has been a long-term project for Alzheimer’s Society. In recent years this was extended to be more inclusive of all older people who were finding it difficult to access singing-based groups.
Run by local musicians Jill Jennings and Mark Coburn. Let’s Sing will be showcasing their singing group at 10.45am in the Parish Church.
Run by local teacher and musician Hilary Foster, this is a locally based group for mixed voices.
This singing group recently sung at our Sunday Afternoon session in Walsham.
The Stowmarket U3A Singing Group will be singing at 11.30am in the Parish Church.
Local musician and educator Heather Bexon runs The Big Sunday Sing – first Sunday of the month at 11 Market Place from 3-5pm. Lots of shanties. Old (& not so old) folk songs with choruses. No performers – Everyone sings everything. Occasional suggestions of harmonies. Some rounds. Mostly acapella. Its fun,friendly & good for you! heather.bexon@btinternet.com Come and hear the Big Sunday Singers at 12.15pm in the Parish Church.
Stowmarket Women’s Song Circle
Song Circle is a Women’s Choir joining women and communities together in song set up by musician and teacher Anna Winton Mills.
The Stowmarket Song Circle is Anna ‘s recent Song Circle to be added making this the 6th singing group within the Circle. This allows flexibility for members to attend as many weekly sessions as they like across the county. The Song Circle choir will be showcasing their group at 1.00pm in the Parish Church.
Graeme Hopson is the Maestro behind the local organisation VivaVoices – made up of 4 local “fun” and mixed community choirs in Stowmarket, Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds. Graeme also organises regular song workshop days. Hear them sing in the final local showcase slot from 1.45pm to 2.15pm at the Parish Church.
