Brass across the board.CANADIAN folk band, La Bottine Souriante (The Smiling Boot is a close translation), have been around for about three decades in one form or another. Their sound may well have inspired the popular British act, Bellowhead, but at the time of LBS's formation there was nothing else quite like them. The typical folk elements - accordion accordion, musical instrument consisting of a rectangular bellows expanded and contracted between the hands. Buttons or keys operated by the player open valves, allowing air to enter or to escape. The air sets in motion free reeds, frequently made of metal. , fiddle, guitar, double bass - are augmented by piano and a four-piece brass section (hence their inclusion at the festival) but they also have several singers in their midst and they were recognised for their stirring live performances in the 2000 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards celebrate outstanding achievement during the previous year within the field of folk music. The awards have been given annually since 2000 by British radio station BBC Radio 2. (Best Live Act) as well as numerous awards in their homeland. The band is ideally suited to a festival environment, having performed at most of the biggest ones, as it is virtually impossible for anyone with an ounce of rhythm to keep still when they strike up. They are at the Gala theatre on the 17th. Another interesting act is the collaborative effort by Finland's genre-hopping multiinstrumentalist Jimi Tenor and the West African West Africa A region of western Africa between the Sahara Desert and the Gulf of Guinea. It was largely controlled by colonial powers until the 20th century. West African adj. & n. band Kabu Kabu on July 8. Among the UK-based acts The Voice Of The North Orchestra with singer Issie Barratt have trumpeter Steve Waterman with them. Another trumpeter, Byron Wallen, called "one of the most innovative, exciting and original trumpet players alive" by Jazzwise, has a date on July 11. The former psychology, philosophy and mathemetics graduate has made a profound impact with recent album Meeting Ground and he recently shared a London stage with tenor great, David Murray David Murray may refer to:
The Sage is also included in the fun - the event forms part of the NewcastleGateshead Initiative - when the venue hosts Balkan bandleader, Boban Markovic and his gypsyjazz Orkestar. The orchestra now features trumpet prodigy, Marko Markovic (the leader's son), in the dance-friendly line-up. So, quite a roster of acts with a truly broad appeal, covering a number of styles that would not normally be included in the conventional brass setting. All the more commendable, then, that the organisers, Durham County Durham County has several possible meanings:
For more information call the event hotline on (0191) 332 4041. ALAN NICHOL |
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