Guildford Institute

This will be the second visit to the club by this fabulous Newcastle-based trio Northumbrian piper Andy May (Jez Lowe and The Bad Pennies, Baltic Crossing), guitarist Ian Stephenson (Kan, Baltic Crossing) and fiddler Sophy Ball (422, Bottle Bank Band). Together they play high energy instrumental folk, inspired by the music of their native North East.

As those of you who packed the room to see them on their previous visit to the club, a typical performance might include traditional tunes from Northumberland, newly-composed material by all members of the band and an introduction to the pipes, all delivered with a warmth and humour which is sure to draw in both folk aficionados and newcomers alike for a dazzling show filled with virtuosity and energy.

There's a certain connection only heard between musicians after many years' playing together; after more than a decade's music making together in various guises the tight interplay and sense of fun between these three friends is sure to delight.

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This will be Belinda and Heidi's third visit to the club (Belinda's fourth including her accompanying Jim Boyes on piano in their collaboration Sensations of a Wound). As well as high praise for their beautiful, interweaving harmonies and sublime musicality, they are acknowledged as one of the strongest songwriting partnerships on the contemporary folk scene - and Belinda certainly takes full advantage of the club's Bechstein grand piano!

With a personal invite from Billy Bragg to play Glastonbury, sessions on 6 Music and Radio 2, umpteen five star reviews, the songwriting, voice and piano partnership of Belinda O'Hooley and Heidi Tidow is regarded as "one of British folk music's mightiest combinations" (Mojo). Nominated this year for the fourth time in the BBC Radio Folk Awards, this will be a very special evening of original, contemporary and traditional songs

Belinda and Heidi's boundless songwriting has been described by The Guardian as "exceptional". From an emotionally charged song about an elephant orphanage in Nairobi to a joyous celebration of the Leeds cycling champion Beryl Burton they explore, consider and connect subjects and stories in a distinctive, inventive and memorable way. Both lyrically and musically, Belinda and Heidi's powerful, thought-provoking and deeply moving performances are infused with an honesty and empathy that will disarm even the hardest of heart.

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Literally booked at the club by "public demand"! Many of the club's regulars first came across Cohen at Sidmouth Folk Week and we were all blown away by his fantastic singing and squeezebox playing. He graduated from the University of Leeds in 2017 with a First Class Honours degree in music plus an additional award as the most outstanding student in his faculty. You will understand why when you see him.

Cohen has been a musician since the age of 6 and took to squeezeboxes in his teens. He has since developed into a fine player of both the melodeon and anglo concertina. He is also a well-regarded singer and in 2014 won Bromyard Folk Festival's Future of Young Folk Award for singing. He has been performing at club's and festivals for over a decade and initially reached his widest audience as a member of Granny's Attic.

Cohen's solo repertoire consists mainly of traditional songs with accompaniment from anglo concertina or melodeon plus the occasional traditional tune and unaccompanied song. His style, approach and repertoire is rooted in the English tradition, however material and influences from Scottish, Irish, American and European traditions are also present in his performance.

He is one of the best young musicians we have seen in a very long time - "a future folk megastar in the making".

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The duo of brothers Dave and Al Sealey lasted for more than a quarter of a century as Cosmotheka, named after the music hall in Marylebone, West London. They made a huge name for themselves as performers of music hall songs, working initially on the English folk scene, but also doing countless radio shows and numerous TV appearances with the likes of Roy Hudd and Chas & Dave, as well as on 'The Good Old Days'. Their act took them all over the world, from Port Stanley to Oman, Hong Kong to the Rocky Mountains.

Sadly Al passed away in 1999, but Dave continued to pursue a solo career, with a rich, rib-tickling mix of songs, stories, original titles and monologues. More recently he has been joined forces with his son, Dan, and pianist Adam Berry to recreate some of the old musical mayhem for which the original duo was so famous. Dan, of course, grew up with the songs, but has his own take on the material. An accomplished professional musician in his own right, Dan's guitar skills and dry wit introduce a compelling new dimension to the collaboration. He and Adam Barry are also members of folk band, Merrymakerl.

As Cosmotheka though, they have picked up the trail from comedy giants like Gus Elan, Harry Champion and the rest, leading to a 'a bellyful of Boiled Beef and Carrots, a bellyful of ale, and a bellyful of laughs at some of the greatest songs ever written'. For Cosmotheka these absurdly comic masterpieces are no longer yesterday's they are today's!

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This will be Daria's second visit to the club having previously performed at the Institute as a member of Kara. With her striking voice and strong Russian and Ingush heritage, "bold, exotic, impressive" Daria Kulesh is a rising star and a unique character on the UK folk scene. Her debut album Eternal Child was described as phenomenal and named Runner-Up in Best Album of 2015 from a Female Artist by FolkWords, among numerous other accolades. Her 2017 album Long Lost Home has won multiple awards in the UK and in Russia, including LCM Album of the Year. It has enjoyed incredible reviews calling it a triumph, a masterpiece and a definite contender for the best album of 2017. Mike Harding praised the The Moon and the Pilot as "one of the most beautiful new songs of the last ten years".

Guitar soloist, accompanist, writer and session musician Tristan Seume is already well and widely known on the local music scene. He has appeared several times before at the c;ub as Jackie Oates' accompanists.

Daria's collaboration with the extraordinary pianist Marina Osman (originally from Belarus) started with a set of nostalgic Russian songs. Since then, their successful partnership has extended to Daria's solo material, offering a fantastic variety for every listener regardless of their language and cultural background. Expect plenty of authentic Russian flavour, superb musicianship and heaps of heartfelt, infectious energy.

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This will be the duo's second visit to the club. They wowed the audience on their previous visit despite one of them having a heavy cold and unable to sing - so they should be amazing when firing on all cylinders!

Alex Garden (fiddle, vocals) and Ford Collier (guitar, tin whistle, vocals) have had a strong musical partnership since their secondary school days. Able to navigate different traditions, introduce instantaneous changes of pace, and stitch together tunes and songs into an eclectic live set, The Drystones' seemingly telepathic communication has always kept audiences on their toes. It's no wonder they have earned themselves a nomination for the 2018 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award.

Alex has his roots in Scotland, an upbringing in classical violin and tuition from English fiddle maestro John Dipper. Ford learnt Irish tin whistle from the renowned Grace Kelly, has developed his own style of Celtic guitar, and at university found a passion for Indian percussion. Their acclaimed 2017 album We Happy Few showcases these influences, ranging from driving fiddle and tin whistle to powerful traditional songs. Recorded in Newcastle, the album was declared one of Songlines magazine's 'Top of the World' in October 2017. Their visit to the Institute should coincide with the release of their new album.

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A welcome visitor from the USA, Judy Cook has been touring Britain and the US as a professional musician for more than fifteen years and this will be her fourth visit to the club.

Judy lifts the spirit and entertains with splendid traditional ballads and songs from a huge and varied Anglo-American repertoire. Her clear and engaging presentation combine with her joy of singing is guaranteed to delight all lovers of traditional song. She is also recognised as a folk music researcher, author and historian, but above all she is a performer, communicator and entertainer.

Judy's the Real Thing. With Capital Letters. Peggy Seeger

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BBC Radio Two's Musician of the year in 2012, multi- instrumentalist and singer Tim Edey has toured the world and recorded with most of the major names in Celtic/Contemporary folk music including; The Chieftains, Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Altan, Lunasa, Mary Black, Julie Fowlis, Frankie Gavin to name but a few…

Tim is now a name on the world stage in his own right after seventeen years of hard work and is widely regarded as one of the world's finest melodeon and guitar players on the folk scene today. Originally from Broadstairs in Kent and of Irish descent, Tim honed his style learning from his father Richard, a fine guitarist himself, and listening to Ed Boyd, Steve Cooney and Django Reinhardt.

He has lived in Ireland and now resides in Perthshire, Scotland where he is based with his family and tours regularly all over the world.

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