JACKDAWGS and special guests

“Howlin’ , good-time music!”

 Three keen amateur musicians who have come together through the Gower Bluegrass ‘Picking Sessions’.

John Williams—Guitar, Mandolin & vocals.                                    He’s the trio’s Hon. Psychologist (A great professional bonus for any band!)

Roland Emmanuel—Guitar, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & vocals.

Former member of ‘Roots & Galoots’, ‘The Grass Snakes’, ‘Mardi Jug Band’. (Founder of the annual Gower Bluegrass Festival & Picking Sessions’.)

Mike Shefford—Guitar, Mandolin & vocals.                                       The canine connection, an expert in dog training and former National Champion. (His influence has a bearing on the band name!)

The trio are often joined by Terry Ryan on Bass.

They play an array of acoustic instruments through a variety genres. These include Bluegrass, Folk, Americana and a variety of contemporary songs.

Overall the Jack Dawgs emphasis is on Versatility, Harmony and having a Good Time playing the music!  They will be joined by some special guests on this night which has something for everyone.

WHISKEY RIVER III 

Aidan Sheehan (accordion, harmonica, penny whistle, mandolin, vocals), Rob Strawson (fiddle, vocals), and Martin Blake (guitar and vocals).

The trio delivers a wide range of “Americana” - Cajun, Zydeco, Bluegrass, Piedmont / Louisiana Blues, “Good” Country, retro Roots Rock ‘n’ Roll and American Folk / Jazz all performed with raw enthusiasm and a dash of musical hot sauce.

They have heartfelt, almost whiskey-soaked vocal harmonies, singing and playing like
they really mean it, sometimes in Cajun French. Wherever they play, Arts centres, theatres,
festivals, live music venues both large and small, they always connect with their audience.

NEIL & LOUISE THOMAS 

Lou and Neil kicked off their musical folk act in the early 70’s. Neil was dragged to Bridgend Folk Club by a friend, saw Louise singing in the folk group Folklore, turned to his friend and said “I’m going to marry her”.

They went on to perform together...musically, appearing in many folk clubs in the South Wales area, also folk festivals such as Pontardawe, Bromyard,  Laycock & Chipenham, Folk Around the Wrekin etc.

Two fractured vertebrae in Neil’s spine stopped all that and they did not perform publicly for around 30 years.

They are back now (almost) still performing those songs which people request, sometimes remembering all the words but not necessarily in the right order. Enjoy!

CARADOG JONES & GERAINT ROBERTS
Tunes, Songs and Stories with Geraint & Caradog
Alawon, Caneuon a Straeon 'da Geraint a Caradog...

Both locals of the Tawe valley, Geraint Roberts and Caradog Jones are usually to be found in the nearest Welsh folk session. Tonight they’ll be entertaining all with a couple of tunes, songs and stories. As well as playing the Welsh bagpipes, Geraint is a captivating story-teller and knowledgeable local historian. Caradog is a traditional harpist, and after many years busking a living on the streets of England is glad to be back playing once again in the valley. They make a duo full of character, passionate to share and continue the traditions of Wales. Come one and all!

Dou frodor o Gwmtawe yw Geraint Roberts a Caradog Jones. Yn hoff o ganu yn sesiynau gwerin Cymreig, daw nhw heno i‘ch diddanu ag ambell i alaw, ambell i gan ac ambell i stori. Yn ogystal â chanu’r pibau cwd Cymreig, mae Geraint yn dipyn o chwedleuwr a hanesydd lleol. Telynydd traddodiadol yw Caradog, ac wedi sawl flwyddyn o glera ar strydoedd Lloegr mae’n braf ganddynt ganu unwaith eto yn y fro. Dyma ddeuawd llawn angerdd i rannu a chynnal ein traddodiadau fel cenedl. Dewch yn llu!

JOHN KIRKPATRICK

Carolling & Crumpets - Solo Christmas Show

Taking its title from John’s unforgettable song telling the Nativity story from the point of view of the animals in the stable, this show is a heart-warming look at the timeless rituals found in the folklore and folk music at Midwinter. John peels away the commercial gloss of modern Christmas to reveal the powerful pagan urges that race through us all at this time of year, and the life and death struggle that is symbolised in so many traditional songs and customs.

And if that all sounds just a little too intense, then rest assured that the mysterious and murky goings-on in these magical songs of wassailing, wren-hunting, stirring the fire, and incessant feasting, all come dressed up in a glittering finery of toe-tapping tunes and cracking choruses. Add to the mixture a light-hearted smattering of hilarious original songs, a sprinkling of carols both familiar and unfamiliar, all stirred up with John’s usual panache and energy, and supported by his scintillating skill on a variety of squeeze-boxes, and you have an unbeatable recipe for having a rattling good sing, guaranteed to keep the spirits cheery and the cold at bay.

John Kirkpatrick was born in Chiswick, West London in 1947. A deep love of music was instilled from birth, and family gatherings always included a hearty sing-song. School choirs, the Church choir, playing recorder and piano ensues, until he joined the Hammersmith Morris Men, in their second week, in 1959.

Whilst with the team he took up the melodeon, then the button accordion, then the anglo concertina, and got hooked on the traditional songs that were accompanied with a post-dancing pint.

John has gone on to become one of the most prolific figures on the English folk scene, performing solo, in duos, acoustic groups and electric bands, and has established an enviable reputation as an instrumental virtuoso and session musician, as well as a leading interpreter of English folk music. He has been a member of the Albion Country Band, Magic Lantern, The Richard Thompson Band, Umps and Dumps, Steeleye Span, Brass Monkey, Trans-Europe Diatonique, and Band of Hope, as well as numerous ceilidh bands.

He rejoined The Albion Band for The National Theatre productions of "Lark Rise" and "Candleford", and from 1980 has regularly worked on shows at The Victoria Theatre (later The New Victoria Theatre) in North Staffordshire, The Orchard Theatre Touring Company based in Devon, and elsewhere. As songwriter, composer, choreographer, and musical director, he has contributed to over sixty plays in the theatre and on radio. And as featured artiste, band member, or session player, his music can be heard on over 200 different commercial recordings.

John has lived in Shropshire since 1973, where he had four sons by his first marriage.  He still dances, with all four sons (on a good day), with the Morris team he founded in 1975, The Shropshire Bedlams.

COMING UP IN 2020