York 360° ~ The National Centre For Early Music

The Jenna Reid Trio
11 April 2012
The National Centre For Early Music
Making her second headlining appearance at NCEM is one of the brightest young talents ever to grace the Scottish traditional music scene. A protégé of the great Shetland fiddlers Tom Anderson and Willie Hunter, Jenna Reid has appeared all over the world with the bands Filska and Dòchas and with Scottish supergroup Deaf Shepherd. More recently, she featured in the last two series of Transatlantic Sessions and was invited to join Blazin' Fiddles. A player and composer of huge ability and great charm, she is joined by her younger sister Bethany, another award-winning fiddler and pianist. The Edinburgh-based jazz-influenced guitarist Kevin Mackenzie completes the trio.

Double Duo
14 April 2012
The National Centre For Early Music
Double Conversations for Oud & Percussion.
Individual, inventive and energetic Khyam Allami is a London based artist of Iraqi descent. His passion for music has led him on a remarkable journey from child violinist in Damascus to rock drummer in London to the stage of the BBC Proms. Making Tracks will enable Allami to develop new work especially for this tour based on a 'double duo' idea, working with highly respected Palestinian oud player Ahmad Al-Khatib, extraordinary percussionist Youssef Hbeisch (as seen with Trio Joubran), as well as Italian frame drum master Andrea Piccioni.

Jonathan Gee & Larry Bartley
22 April 2012
NCEM York
The contemporary swing and feel produced by these musicians is consummate and seemingly effortless. Jonathan Gee is one of the UK's finest jazz pianists and has been quietly building a reputation as a musician who can adapt and play in any form of music. Recent collaborations include young British trumpet star Jay Phelps and US saxophone legend Pharaoh Sanders, and he appeared with Tony Kofi at the NCEM. Larry Bartley's deep resonant sound has been an integral part of many groups led by the likes of Courtney Pine, Julian Joseph, Andy Sheppard and Soweto Kinch.

The Hut People
24 April 2012
The National Centre For Early Music
Champions of the standing ovation, Sam Pirt (The Pack, 422) and Gary Hammond (The Beautiful South) are gaining a reputation as one of the most entertaining and unusual folk acts around, attracting rapturous feedback from audiences, promoters and critics alike. They perform a high-octane blend of self-penned tunes mixed with British, Nordic and European folk music, engagingly executed by Gary's dazzling array of exotic percussion and Sam's driving accordion and occasional foot drumming and step dancing. It's an unlikely instrumental combination, but one that works brilliantly, thanks to their combination of musical virtuosity with exuberant good humour, spontaneity and a total commitment to getting listeners involved.

The Hut People are playing at the NCEM on the 24th April launching their new CD 'Picnic'. There will be pre gig picnic nibbles from 6.30pm and a signing of our big hut facade that is going on tour with us, draw and write what you like, up to a certain point of course! Please check out our website facebook

Boo Hewerdine & Brooks Williams "State Of The Union
09 May 2012
The National Centre For Early Music
Here is an exciting collaboration between two apparently different musicians who have found a creative writing and performing chemistry. Tapping into wide-ranging influences, they make music that will delight fans of hook-laden songs, fiery and emotional guitar playing and soulful vocals. Whether it is authentic Americana, delicate ballads, modern pop or reworked classics, this Union delivers.

A cult English songwriter with over 400 recorded cover versions, Hewerdine was lead singer of The Bible and has worked with artists such as Eddi Reader, Heidi Talbot and Jerry Douglas, while Williams is a bluesy American singer and composer with a reputation as one of the world's best slide guitarists. Two guys, two guitars and a clutch of songs – the old formula has seldom worked better.

Martin Taylor and Alan Barnes
13 May 2012
NCEM York
In this inspired pairing, world-class guitarist Martin Taylor meets multi award-winning reeds man Alan Barnes. Taylor is known for his long association with Stephane Grappelli and his highly successful solo career which includes the recent ''Last Train to Hauteville'' CD, which featured Barnes as part of his Spirit of Django group. Barnes is Britain''s number one mainstream reeds player and concentrates solely on clarinet on their new album – Two for the Road. The repertoire is wide-ranging and unusual yet is complemented by two catchy and accessible originals from the pen of each player.

Kate Williams and Bobby Wellins
20 May 2012
The National Centre For Early Music
Jazz pianist/composer Kate Williams, daughter of guitarist John Williams, has released four CDs, to critical acclaim. Her trio CD ‘Scenes And Dreams’ was rated in the top ten jazz albums by Mojo magazine. Most recently,‘ The Embrace’ (2008) displays her rich and sonorous quintet
writing, featuring tenor sax player Steve Kaldestad and award-winning flautist Gareth Lockrane. Bobby Wellins is one of the most exceptional figures in modern jazz and featured on Stan Tracey’s ‘Under Milk Wood’, recorded in the late ‘60s. He has his own quartet featuring pianist Liam Noble and recently toured with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. Bobby and Kate will perform jazz standards and originals recently released on their new CD.

Julaba Kunda
07 June 2012
The National Centre For Early Music
A rare chance to catch an unmissable live set as Gris from Scotland and Juldeh from Gambia launch music from 'Traders', their debut CD which is rapidly gathering outstanding reviews from the mainstream and world music press alike. Expect an extraordinary encounter where the desert sounds of West African riti, a one-stringed fiddle of ancient design, meets its European sisters the violin and the amazing Swedish nyckelharpa, to bring us snaking Fula trance melodies from the Sahel's nomadic herdsmen joining tumbling strathspeys and reels from Scottish crofts and dancehalls.

Richard Durrant, guitar recital
16 June 2012
National Centre For Early Music, Walmgate, York
The Number 26 Bus to Paraguay
Maverick concert guitarist Richard Durrant follows his successful Guitar Whisperer series of concerts with a show celebrating the life and music of Augustin Barrios, including, along the way, music by Django Reinhardt, Claude Debussy and Los Paraguayos. He tells the inspiring tale of how a young boy on the number 26 bus to his first guitar lesson ended up in Paraguay as an honoured guest. Richard shares tales and music from his own musical journey and the inspiration he found in Paraguayan composer Barrios, an abiding musical presence that led him to perform at the country's bicentenary celebrations in spring 2011. Featuring animation and film, the concert demonstrates just how far one man can expand the expressive range of the guitar - light years from what you might expect a classical guitar recital to be.

“One of the world’s most accomplished and experimental players.”
Guitarist Magazine 2011

£12; concessions £10; students £5
Box Office: 01904 658338 | www.ncem.co.uk

Brazilian Carnival Day
17 June 2012
NCEM York
Join us as we bring the excitement of the Brazilian Carnival to York! Heralding the South American theme of the 2012 York Early Music Festival and celebrating with the University of York’s Festival of Ideas, composer/percussionist Claudio Kron from Brazil will transport us to Latin America through a series of workshops exploring Brazilian arts and culture.

Sessions – aimed at 9 – 14 year olds - will cover percussion music, samba dance and capoeira (mixing martial arts and dance!) with live performances from Claudio and his band, and the University of York St John Samba Band.

Bolivian Connections
18 June 2012
NCEM York
Ashley Solomon, director of the award-winning early music ensemble Florilegium, celebrates the music of Bolivia in a lecture based on his research and musical experiences with the Arakaendar Bolivian Choir, illustrated with musical examples from the University of York Chamber Choir directed by Peter Seymour.

The Eduardo Niebla Experience
22 June 2012
The National Centre For Early Music
Hailed as one of the world''s great guitarists, Eduardo Niebla returns with his internationally acclaimed guitar duo, to present an amazing repertoire of ''stunning flamenco jazz'' from his latest albums. Continually seeking out new musical terrain, Niebla has traversed the worlds of pop, jazz and world music, collaborating with such diverse partners as sitar maestro Nishat Khan, George Michael, Lol Coxhill and Craig David. A spellbinding evening of passion, verve and fleet fingered virtuosity from one of the most potent forces in flamenco jazz fusion.

Joe Stilgoe
24 June 2012
The National Centre For Early Music
Joe Stilgoe, son of songwriter Richard Stilgoe, is a serious musician having fun. His singing, piano playing and sense of humour have made him a favourite at the UK's top jazz clubs. His formidable piano technique and vocal range (described as "wonderful” by New York cabaret legend Steve Ross) stem from a classical training starting when he was five. Joe released his debut album 'I Like This One' last year and has drawn comparisons with singer/pianists such as Nat King Cole, Harry Connick Jr, Buddy Greco and Jamie Cullum.