Bram Taylor

Bram Taylor is an entertaining artist with a distinctive voice and relaxed stage presence who gives an evening "Taylored" to suit his audience.  Bram calls on a large repertoire of traditional songs, together with contemporary and humorous material, performed on acoustic guitar.

With a wealth of experience behind him, he has established a fine reputation which has gone from strength to strength from tours in the UK and USA of Folk Clubs, festivals and concerts.

Bram has his audiences singing, laughing from his infectious sense of humour, and occasionally, shedding a tear or two from some of the poignant songs he loves to sing.

Find out more on Bram's own website

Plus

Matthew Colquhoun

For those of you who regularly attend HAM music events you will know that Matthew supported Simon Mayor and Hilary James at Elloughton Village Hall last December and has played at the Half Moon. Matthew just turned 18 plays a mix of his own along with some very different cover songs.

  
*****

Whiskey Dogs

Pete Bolton’s Whiskey Dogs play authentic, early Americana. Their material includes the crazy, wild repertoire of the jug bands, the catchy melodies and tight instrumentals of the string bands and the beautiful, haunting old-time mountain ballads. Pete Bolton fronts the band with his powerful, soulful vocals and plays clawhammer banjo, guitar, kazoo and harmonica. Pete, until recently, toured extensively with his own Americana family band The Alley Cats and has also worked solo playing acoustic blues and American roots for nearly twenty years. He is joined in the Whisky Dogs by Brian Swinton, well known and much respected on the local acoustic circuit playing wild and bluesy mandolin, shuffling, funky fiddle and low vocal harmonies, whoops and hollers! Driving it all along and keeping it together is Janey, slapping, plucking and bowing the bull-fiddle (double bass) who was until recently also part of The Alley Cats.
  
The Whiskey Dogs promise you a great night of real Americana, influenced by the legendary Carter Family and Memphis Jug Band through to The Old Crow Medicine Show.

AND!

Jinsky

JINSKI is a duo featuring the work of songwriter Steve Jinski and guitar player Dave Kennedy. Their musical territory spans acoustic roots, contemporary song and rugged country blues.

Performing on their own or accompanied by a flexible line up that includes double bass player Neil Harland and former Prefab Sprout singer Wendy Smith, their ‘live’ work is an entertaining, thought provoking, foot stomping kaleidoscope of musical and lyrical imagery.

Steve Jinski has toured all over Europe and Scandinavia appearing in all kinds of venues from intimate folk clubs to the Reading Festival and Hackney Empire. He has shared the bill with many artists including David Gray and Richard Thompson. His songs come from everywhere and are inspired by the trials and tribulations of everyday life. His music speaks from the heart.

Dave Kennedy was a founder member of the band 21 Strangers managed by the late Chas Chandler (The Animals and Jimi Hendrix fame) and signed to Charisma Records alongside Peter Gabriel. Whilst the guitar is Dave’s first love, he is also a multi instrumentalist and an accomplished producer/arranger.

AND!

Farino

Hull duo Graeme Wrightson and John Shepherd make up Farino.

Graeme and John started rehearsing together in early 2007 for a one-off performance. They saw potential for the music and so started songwriting for Farino. To date they have played Hull City Hall as well as Hull's "Stripped" at the Wellington, the Queens and the Tap and Spile and their first album 'Circadian' is out now.

Both band members play acoustic guitars and the genres they cover include Rock, Pop, Indie, Folk, Funk, Classical, World Music, Alt. Rock with a bit of jazz and flamenco.

To find out more about Farino and listen to some of the tracks on Circadian visit their MySpace website.

*****

Stony

Always a sell out and fantastic night out at the Half Moon and have headlined Midsummer Music Madness. We are sure you will enjoy the thoroughly entertaining Stony from sunny Scarborough.

Seven years of constant touring has seen acoustic-based duo Stony’s reputation as songwriters, and as one of the hottest live acts on the new acoustic music scene, develop fast across the country, and has led to their signing with Uncle Art Records.

Stony’s mixture of often driving piano and acoustic guitar, combined with beautiful vocal harmonies has a very distinctive, proffessional and original live sound.

When joined by wonderful saxophonist Julia Wray the duo turn trio and make a big and brilliant sound.

Book early to avoid disapointment!

*****

May
Saturday 15th
Half moon
Elloughton
8pm Start

Clive Gregson

More than 25 years as a performing musician and Clive’s on as fine form as ever. Born and raised in Manchester but based in Nashville, Clive Gregson is an accomplished singer, musician and record producer of world-renown. In 1985, he formed the groundbreaking partnership with Christine Collister and toured with the Richard Thompson Band. He’s also toured with Eddi Reader, Boo Hewerdine, Nanci Griffith and Dennis Locorriere. Mary Chapin Carpenter named Clive Gregson as one of her favourite songwriters.

Artists who have recorded his songs include Kim Carnes, Fairport Convention, Claire Martin, Norma Waterson and Nanci Griffith, who recorded I Love This Town on her number one chart topping album.
Clive’s solo live shows are something special and definitely not to be missed. “... he does the lot.” The Independent

Find out more about Clive and the many albums he has released at his website

Plus

Nick Stubbs

Nick is a professional singer, songwriter & musician. Over the last 29 years his musical exploits have taken him throughout England, Ireland Europe and all the way ‘down under’ to Adelaide in Australia where his music is played on ABC 891 Adelaide Radio.

Nick is often joined on stage by his wife Helen, to add harmonies for an extra dimension.

"Over the last three years (as well as guitar) I have concentrated my time on the Saxophone and Flute and have been very fortunate to have had lessons with ‘’Snake Davis’’ who is one of the UK’s best Saxophonist and flute players. I Love nothing more than to improvise with other musicians."

Nick runs a small project studio in East Yorkshire called Seaside Studio. His new album ‘’Acoustic Nights’’ has been crafted from the songs he enjoys playing live! Nick’s lyrics always have something to say, and his songs are sung with passion and sincerity.

Find out more about Nick on his website

*****

Elbow Jane

Elbow Jane are a premiere 5 piece acoustic band comprising guitars, bazouki, mandolin, piano, bass, percussion and expressive vocals.

From thought provoking self-penned songs…to unique Interpretations of the worlds best songsmiths. From the emotion of O’Carolan…to the techniques of Tommy Emmanuel. From sensitive ballad, through infectious rhythms…to luring harmonies.

Live they excel - playing festival stages and clubs up and down the UK winning them fantastic reviews and a loyal following.

Listen to extracts from their new album 'England Stone' at elbowjane.com

AND!

Jon Brindley

From Wigan Jon Brindley has performed in piano bars, at some of the larger folk festivals, art galleries, country festivals, pubs, arts centres, old people’s homes, on street corners and café terraces all over Europe.

Having sung and played guitar, piano and fiddle since his childhood he has explored music through many forms. Celtic fiddle tunes, blues, contemporary folk, country, rock, popular songs and traditional ballads can all be found in his repertoire – these being most usually his own unique interpretations.

Jon says he likes to take his audience on a lively journey, bringing passion and humour to music. Expect the unexpected!

Find out more at Jon's website...

*****

Hunsley Acoustic Music

presents the - TCT Sessions

at Beverley Folk Festival

Hunsley Acoustic Music presents two full days of music from local artists giving up their time to help raise funds for the Teenage Cancer trust in the TCT Tent.

Artists and running order TBA

*****

Chris While and Julie Matthews   

Eight times nominated for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in the Best Duo, Best Song & Best Live Act categories.

Thoughout their career they have toured solidly as a duo in the UK, Europe, Africa, North America and Australia where they have achieved great success and are held in the highest esteem, filling concert halls and headlining festival stages. They've also worked on several musical projects for the BBC including Tales of the Towpath, a radio documentary about the building of the Manchester Ship Canal and The 2006 Radio Ballads.

Chris While & Julie Matthews are both individual writers of some note but it's when they combine their writing talents that the unique nature of their partnership flourishes. They are world renowned for their affinity on stage and for the energy and enthusiasm of their live perfomances.

Find out more at the duo's own  website

*****