CONCERTS 2021 archive
Dave Nelson hosts a series of concerts every year at Wainsgate where musicians and audiences alike get to make the most of Wainsgate Chapel’s near perfect acoustic.
CONCERT SERIES AUTUMN 2021
Saturday September 11th 2021
Mercury Strings (classical string quartet)
Formerly known as The Acceso Quartet, Mercury Strings comprise virtuoso violin players Alexandra Stemp and (Calder Valley-based) Susan Voss alongside the equally brilliant Jayne Coyle on viola and Esther Harriot on cello. They have performed with some of the UK’s best loved orchestras including the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Manchester Camerata. For this concert Mercury Strings will play music by Mozart, Schubert, Rachmaninov and Philip Glass.
“Wonderful virtuoso playing” audience member after 2018 Acceso Quartet performance at Wainsgate.
website here
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Saturday September 18th 2021
Stuart McCallum (solo jazz guitar)
From jazz beginnings to alt-folk and electronica, Stuart McCallum is one of the most vital and creative musicians of his generation. An in-demand guitarist, composer, producer and educator. Stuart rose to prominence writing for and playing with the Cinematic Orchestra, on their Ma Fleur and Live at the Albert Hall albums, as well as on their award winning Disney soundtrack, The Crimson Wing.
“The music suggests the feel of the Cinematic Orchestra, Brian Eno and In a Silent Way-era Miles Davis” The Guardian
“Guitarist Stuart McCallum’s compositions are exemplary of everything that is exciting about new British jazz.” Jazzwise Magazine
website here
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Sunday September 19th 2021
Little Sparrow (singer/songwriter)
As captivating to watch as she is to listen to, Manchester singer-songwriter, Katie Ware (aka Little Sparrow)’s beautifully emotive use of expression mirrors the sincerity of her delivery. Her delicately crafted songs draw on influences as diverse as Kate Bush, All About Eve and PJ Harvey, woven into the colourful tapestry of her music, often with a mysterious fairytale-like quality.
”Breathtaking vocalist, an incredibly gifted songwriter” Chris Hawkins – BBC 6Music and BBC Radio 2
website here
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Saturday October 2nd 2021
Meraki (classical flute, guitar and double bass)
Formed in 2013, Meraki enjoys exploring the diversity of repertoire available to the flute-guitar pairing, while contributing new arrangements of their own. Meera Maharaj and James Girling (Meraki Duo) both studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, sharing a passion for chamber music that extends to jazz, works by contemporary composers, and Brazilian folk music. Recent performances include Swaledale Festival, St James’s Piccadilly, Manchester Cathedral, and the Bridgewater Hall.
On this occasion Meera and James will be joined by double bass player Ben du Toit.
The mastery of their instruments is a given, their musicianship is exceptional. Bryan Fox
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Sunday October 3rd 2021
Samuel Moore (flamenco guitarist)
GUITARRA FLAMENCA: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE RICH FLAMENCO TRADITION
The flamenco tradition was born in Andalucía and is a unique and highly compelling artistic phenomenon. Most commonly, baile (dance), cante (singing) and toque (guitar playing) are brought together to create a flamenco performance. However, due to exciting innovations in the 20th century, solo guitar concerts have evolved to become an equally dramatic artistic showcase.
In this solo recital the distinguished guitarist, Samuel Moore, presents a diverse programme drawing on the many palos (musical forms) that shape the flamenco tradition. From the plaintive cry of laments such as soleá, to the powerful attack of dance forms such as bulerías, this is a concert experience not to be missed.
“A fantastic flamenco guitarist” Ian McMillan, BBC Radio 3
website here
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Saturday October 30th 2021
Birds and Beasts and Carol Hodge (electro-acoustic folk/rock double header)
Birds and Beasts write melodic and memorable songs inspired by animals and the natural world. Anna and Leo Brazil originally came up with the idea whilst snowbound in a log cabin, deep in the forest of Anna’s native Germany. Over lockdown at their home in Huddersfield, they released their second Album, Kozmik Disko which the band had lots of fun creating. Website here.
“The songs make you listen intently to the words and you become entwined in the rhythm and quality of the musicianship. Psychedelic folk infused with cosmic and disco pop” Loafers
Carol Hodge is a seven-fingered, piano-pounding, Yorkshire-dwelling Singer-Songwriter. Think Regina Spektor meets Billy Bragg, but with fewer digits and a continuous existential crisis, sandwiched between bitter irony and relentless optimism. You won’t know whether to laugh or cry, but will definitely feel something. In case she looks familiar, Carol is a long-term collaborator with Crass founder Steve Ignorant, plays keys for Texan country rock star Ryan Hamilton and has guested with Ginger Wildheart, Headsticks and The Membranes. Website here
“The Adele for people into radical politics… a UK 2018 equivalent to the Tapestry-era Carole King,” Ged Babey, Louder than War
