Artists
Welcome to Roots North – a fabulous festival weekend of roots, blues, folk, jazz and country music in the ideal setting of Northallerton.
Our venues for the weekend are The Town Hall and The Golden Lion Hotel and a ‘Festival Fringe’ where you can listen in a more informal setting at The Durham Ox and The Wine Press.
The Friday Night Concerts will appeal to those who enjoy Blues, Jazz and Folk Music.
Saturday is the town’s annual Day of Dance, and we complement that with concerts throughout the day and evening, showcasing music from the Czech Republic, Africa and the fabulous NAKAIRA - world music band from Sicily.
On Saturday morning there are children’s activities and workshops - a Kids Jam Session, Facepainting, Storytelling and family entertainment. Late on Saturday (from 11.pm) join us at The Festival Late Club in The Golden Lion Hotel for something you can really dance too – Egwundu and the New Fusion.
We start Sunday with a touch of Jazz, Poetry and coffee at our Easy Café in The Town Hall with the Groovediggers plus workshops with The Evil Sweeties.
Sunday’s star studded afternoon and evening concerts are packed with local and international artists, and feature Country, World Music, Folk and New Age.
We bring you the music; come and listen to the first ROOTS NORTH!
Adrian O
A sublime personality, can be daft as the children he entertains, while his other side has great depth as a songwriter and poet. As an M.C he is the perfect bridge betweenaudience and artist. We welcome Adrian from his Kent base.
Bob Beagrie
Teesside legendary poet Bob has dabbled in many different dimensions of poetry and spoken word, concerning his home town of Middlesbrough, its history and people. He is among the vanguard of poets, writers and entertainers, putting Teesside and Cleveland culture on the map.
Blind Summat
Lead singer Wendy Arrowsmith, rapidly making a name for herself in the folk scene, is joined by the talented percussionist, singer and songwriter Jools Cavell, Rebekah Findlay a burgeoning songwriter, singer and fiddler in her own right and the inimitable Paul Arrowsmith on 5 string banjo. Good time folk.
Mark Boden
Fine Flamenco guitarist inspired by the passion, grace and emotion of the music through which, he says, can be expressed all of his emotions. Mark has appeared at many events including Teesside’s Worldfest and ‘Music Live’. He is a student of the art of Flamenco in Seville, Spain.
Graham Brotton
A fine and delicate guitarist, Graham is a regular face at many of the areas acoustic and folk clubs. A talented tunesmith and burgeoning songwriter he is best known for his beautifully precise guitar style.
Diesel Therapy
A country band from Tyneside? Well they’re as good as they get and better than most.
Writing original, well-crafted songs to a high class accompaniment they commanded respect of fellow musicians and their growing fan –bas. They have been described by one crtic as ‘musical Jack Daniels’ Don’t miss one of the high points of Roots North and give them a great welcome.
Dr. Brown & The Groovecats
Doc Brown is a veteran of the North East Blues scene with 25 years experience. He is mighty ‘harp’ player and a great singer. The band has recently been included in a documentary series ‘Getting the Blues’ about the Blues in Britain and beyond.
Egwundu
Authentic spiritual & traditional music from West Africa. Egwundu ( Music of Life) have been well received at many festivals. The musicians hope their music will increase understanding between cultures in Britain. They are positively engaged in other projects including personal development and cultural education. Enjoy the real sound of Africa.
Egwundu & The New Fusion
New music made from the fusion of African sounds with the raw energy of Western rock. The New Fusion! Don’t miss them at the festival Late Club.
The Evil Sweeties
Three lovely ladies – so they tell us – from Tyneside. Original material mixed with a hint of traditional English, Appalachian and whatever takes their fancy. Natural voices with an interesting and unusual combination of instruments we are sure you’ll find works well. Come to their Sunday Workshop and see them in Concert later.
Bob Fortune
Songwriter Bob has recently had his songs performed by Teesside Folk Entertainer Vin Garbutt and other singers on the folk scene. Living in Redcar he spends his time developing the cultural map of his town (as Chair of Friends of Redcar Music and Arts) and writing about his local environment and the people living there. His new CD is released in time for Roots North and is worth checking out.
Mike Gatto
A young man, upward and mobile, Mike lives in Northallerton and is well known locally. A deservedly ambitious singer and songwriter, who plays a passionate acoustic set. He says: ‘Just because I play acoustic ‘live’ doesn’t mean you should expect my songs to be soft and depressing’. We all look forward to Mike’s first performance with the top class backing band he deserves. In the meantime enjoy his acoustic sets this weekend.
Richard Grainger & Chris Parkinson
The man who wrote some of the regions best loved folk songs, Whitby Whaler, Day in Redcar, Teesside & Yorkshire and many more, makes an appearance with one of the music world’s great instrumentalists. Described as perhaps the second greatest accordion player in the world, Chris Parkinson plays often with some of the most respected musicians in the folk world. Richard & Chris together have a chemistry that produces some of the finest music you’ll hear anywhere. Richards song ‘One People’ was chosen as Middlesbrough’s Olympic Song at the recent Olympic handover celebrations. www.richard-grainger.com
The Groovediggers
Jazz for people who don’t like jazz. Like turning on the radio in 1957, their repertoire starts with Duke Ellington and ends with Herbie Hancock and Big Joe Turner. Mouth watering! This quintet will be your hosts at The Big Easy Café (Town Hall) on Sunday Morning. Enjoy a coffee and the cool sounds of The Groovediggers.
KATUS
Unique singing instrumentalist from the Czech Republic who, in just seven years, has taken the world music scene by storm. On stage she is charismatic and you can’t help but see that her music is honest, genuine and full of magic. Katus is backed up on percussion by John Burns.
Landermason
Fiona Lander and Paul Mason are amazingly talented musicians, performing jazz interpretations of folk tunes and playing some of their own original material. We have seen them develop over recent years and they are now the best they’ve ever been. Well worth listening…………. No - darn well unmissable!
The Mick West Trio
Here’s a treat , and something to suit many tastes. First meet Mick West – a great traditional Scottish singer and Frank Maclaughlin - superb celtic guitarist. Add to that the world music- charting jazz instrumentalist, Fraser Fifield and you’ve got something VERY special. Mick, Frank & Fraser journey south from Glasgow for this special appearance on Sunday.
Nakaira
We are proud to welcome Nakaira, in only their 4 th appearance in the UK. This world music group from Sicily play a rich mix of music from The Mediterrannean, The Balkans and North Africa. Using traditional instruments including Oud, Bagpipes and Bouzouki, they set the night on fire. They should, of course - living in the foothills of the volcanic Mt Etna. Enjoy!
Paul Staines
Local Poet Paul is also a terrific entertainer. He is a twenty first century performance poet so don’t expect too many of the old classics.
Tin Can
From the embers of Tin Drum comes the acoustic Tin Can. Local BIG favourites and rightly so. Wherever they go there is always a crowd. We welcome them to our festival.
Gordon Tyrrall
Gordon is a unique performer. He has recently recorded an album of acoustic guitar tunes, beautifully executed. However, on Sunday afternoon he will reproduce sounds from an earlier ‘electronic’ album. This is something that has only been performed once before and another MUST SEE for the musically inclined. Gordon opens our Sunday afternoon concert.
Lucy Ward
Lucy is one of the few genuinely talented newcomers to the folk scene. She has a powerful yet tender voice and an appealing no frills guitar style. Her repertoire is a mixture of well - arranged interpretations of traditional songs and well crafted originals. Lucy won the 2007 KFA Song of the Year Award with her song ‘Shellback’. We think Lucy is developing into a formidable talent and we are pleased to have her among us.
Stop Press:- Lucy ward has been entered into the semi final of the BBC Young Folk Musician of the Year Award. – we told you so!
Jane Williamson
Jane is another one of our young performers. A champion clog dancer, she will demonstrate various styles of English Clog Dancing accompanied by Christine Wiliamson on Accordeon. The duo also run workshops on the subject and will appear as part of Saturdays’s Day of Dance.
Zeds Dead
An Acoustic Duo from Northampton with driving guitars and strong vocals. Unique, raw and energised whether playing covers or new material. Acoustic music with the heat turned on.