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Folk Music in Birmingham

Subscribe to RSS RSSTuesday, 18th May, 2010

Grace & Danger: The Songs of John Martyn will see legend of the folk and jazz worlds, Danny Thompson and a stellar cast of artists, celebrate the life and work of musical powerhouse John Martyn, opening the third annual English Originals contemporary folk weekend at Town Hall & Symphony Hall, which runs until Sunday 16 May.

The line-up for this very special concert includes Beverley Martyn, John?s ex-wife and musical partner throughout the 1960s, Wolverhampton born singer songwriter and Ivor Novello award winner Scott Matthews, pop-folker extraordinaire Eddi Reader, young Kansas City singer Krystle Warren, Mercury Prize winning artist Badly Drawn Boy and star of last year?s Way To Blue concert Beth Orton.

Blur guitarist Graham Coxon performs his acclaimed 2009 album The Spinning Top live with the Acoustic Power Ensemble, including Robyn Hitchcock and Martin Carthy, at Town Hall on 15 May, followed by rousing big band Bellowhead and rising folk star Jackie Oates in concert at Town Hall on Sunday 16 May. Free stage sessions from West Midlands artists also feature in the English Originals programme.

New York singer songwriter Suzanne Vega returns to Town Hall on Saturday 19 June following an incredible concert at the venue in 2009. Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant songwriters of her generation, Suzanne helped lead the folk-music revival of the early 1980s with the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album.

Folk For Free, a new free weekly session presented in association with nationally acclaimed gig and festival promoters Moseley Folk launches on 11 September, as part of Artsfest, showcasing the best in emerging acoustic talent. Forthcoming performances: 11 Sep 4.30pm ? 5.30pm: Elfynn, 21 Oct 5.30pm ? 7.00pm: Boat to Row, 18 Nov 5.30 ? 7pm: Contact, 14 Dec 5.30 ? 7pm: Friends of the Stars

Earlier this month, Jim Moray, the 27 year old brother of Jackie Oates, singer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, producer and graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire pre-released his new album exclusively through the June issue of Songlines magazine. He brings his startlingly contemporary take on England?s traditional songs to Town Hall on 28 September.

November at Town Hall heralds four fantastic folk music experiences, starting with an appearance by ?Streets of London? writer and folk hero Ralph McTell on Monday 1st, followed closely by incredible mother-daughter duo of Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy the very next day at the Grade I listed concert hall.

A rescheduled performance from perennial US folk legend Tom Paxton takes place at Town Hall on 14 November and Scotland?s award winning group, Blazin' Fiddles perform in the same venue on 19 November. Catriona Macdonald, Bruce Macgregor, Allan Henderson and Iain Macfarlane take up their fiddles and will be accompanied by Anna Massie on guitar/fiddle and Andy Thorburn on keyboard.

Visit www.thsh.co.uk/events.