The Chesham Folk and Acoustic Music Club
Chesham, Bucks, England

Programme of events and details of guests

January 12th 2009 Jez Lowe.

One of the most complete singer songwriters today, Jez has an astonishing back catalogue of material reflected in his new album “Northern Echoes”. He has recently been nominated as Folk Singer Of the Year in the BBC Folk Awards. Come and find out why - you will not be disappointed. £10 visitors, £8 members.

January 26th Anthony John Clarke.

Anthony is simply one of the best singer, songwriter performers we have ever had at the club. His music is warm, moving and involving, with an underlying sense of fun. (And he plays a red guitar).
He recently toured with Fairport Convention, plays on Folk on 2 and is at last getting the recognition he richly deserves. £7 for members, £9 for visitors.

February 2nd Singers/Players night

February 9th Alan Franks and Patty Vetta.

A long overdue return to the club. Alan is an astonishing wordsmith and virtuoso musician. Patty has the rare talent of making songs come alive with full meaning and depth.
With a partnership spanning 20 years they have an astonishing repertoire and seldom equalled skills as performers. The word “Good” is not good enough as a description.
£7 for members, £9 for visitors.

February 23rd Bram Taylor.

A welcome return to the club. Bram (Bramwell) describes himself as a collector and interpreter of songs. He is a fine singer, musician and writer whose career with Fellside Records has resulted in an enviable discography. As a performer he is in demand on both sides of the Atlantic at clubs and festivals and as a musician on his own and with others on collaborative albums.
“A Folk Singers Folk Singer” and not to be missed
£6 for members, £8 for visitors.

March 9th Phil Beer.

Half of Show of Hands, a cornerstone of the Arizona Smoke Review, the man who kept Mike Oldfield’s live shows working and the list goes on and on. Phil is a one man marvel. His power as a solo performer and vocalist are phenomenal. A Virtuoso Guitarist and Violinist, a master on the Mandocello and anything with strings and frets - he is breathtaking. When not performing he runs the Chudliegh Roots record label and searches for and helps new talent.
Solo, in a club setting this will be a chance to see and hear one of the world’s top musicians and performers up close and personal. With tickets limited to 60 booking will be essential.Members £10, visitors £12

March 23rd Spiers and Boden.

With careers going off like a rocket we are delighted to have been able to tempt John and Jon back to Chesham. In just a few years, they have established themselves as possibly the finest instrumental duo on the traditional scene. They have energy and passion virtually without equal. More importantly, they have the talents to turn this into wonderfully compelling and involving music. (If your foot does not tap you are probably dead).
The evening will be in concert form in the main hall. Book in advance or be disappointed.Members £10, visitors £12

April 6th Kieran Halpin.

Since 1979 Kieran has recorded seventeen albums and published two songbooks. He has just released his latest CD - "A Box of Words and Tunes", a collection of 11 new songs written in the last year.
He is justifiably recognised as one of the best songsmiths around. A fine guitarist, his talent is in putting together superb interpretations of songs. His version of Raglin Road is "very probably the best and most complete you will ever hear."
Members £7, visitors £9

April 27th Donal O'Connor.

Donal grew up in the provincial Ireland of the seventies. He writes about the people and places he knows and loves. He writes about issues, which are colloquial and yet universal. He writes about ordinary everyday life in an extraordinarily simple way. Is it any wonder that the great Christy Moore described his debut album as "A Pure Joy".
His reputation is as an engaging and powerful live performer, with fantastic material and the ability to communicate with his audience. Members £7, visitors £9

May 18th Cherrington and Ward.

Pamela Ward and Paul Cherrington perform a mixture of music from traditional and contemporary folk to ragtime and blues. We booked them after they visited the club and blew everyone away with the quality of their self penned material, Pamela’s Voice, Paul’s skills as a guitarist and their melodic but energetic presentation.
The have been busy artistes over the years, with work for the BBC, overseas tours, session work and as accomplished and acclaimed songwriters.
Members £6, visitors £8

June 8th Andy Irvine.

Andy Irvine has been hailed as "a tradition in himself." Musician, singer and songwriter. He has maintained both personal integrity and highly individual performing skills throughout his 40-year career. From Sweeney's Men in the mid sixties to the enormous success of Planxty in the 70s, to THE Irish super group, Patrick Street, in the 80s, Andy has been a world music pioneer and icon for traditional music and musicians.
Andy occupies a unique place in the musical world, plying his trade as archetypal troubadour, with a solo show and travelling lifestyle that reflects his lifelong influence, Woody Guthrie. Few others can equal his repertoire, Irish traditional songs, dexterous Balkan dance tunes, and a compelling canon of his own material that defies description.
Members £10, visitors £12

June 22nd Jim McLean.

Jim came to our attention in 2008 when he visited the club on a singers night and had us enthralled.
Born on the West Coast of Scotland, he was brought up on a staple diet of Scottish and Irish Folk, with a dash of Old-Time and Country Music. On discovering Alex Campbell, he discovered songwriting. He quickly developed his own unique style, touring all over Europe, basing himself in Holland.
He has a fine voice, a unique guitar style and an engaging stage presentation. We think he could be a name to watch for the future, so do come along.
Members £6, visitors £8

July 6th Cara Luft with Hugh McMillan.

Clara is a dynamic singer songwriter from Canada. A powerful guitarist, Cara also enjoys excels on mandolin and clawhammer banjo.
Partly based in the tradition, her writing is a blend of social commentary, imagination, and rhythmic intensity, and her distinctive voice penetrates listeners to the core. She will be joined by Hugh Mc Millan on bass, anything with frets and strings, vocals and more.
This is a gig not to be missed, with Clara being tipped for the top we might not be able to get her back again.
Members £8, visitors £10

July 6th John Kirkpatrick.

It’s all been said before: virtuoso accordion and concertina player, fantastic singer, astonishing interpreter of song, encyclopaedic knowledge of the tradition, a player and singer of passion and energy.
Get there early and prepare for a fantastic evening's entertainment, blinding tunes and the very best in songs. An opportunity to see and hear a true “living legend” at work.
Members £8, visitors £10

Gigs for the remainder of the year will be added shortly.