A rare opportunity to see two of this instrument’s leading exponents perform solo and in duet, spanning Irish, Scottish, English and European styles as well as original and classical works. Two performers who have since the early 90s pushed the boundaries of this unique musical instrument.
Julian Sutton
Brought up in the well-known musical hotbed of Newcastle upon Tyne, Julian has been playing melodeon for longer than he cares to remember. He is probably best known for playing in a band with the renowned Northumbrian piper and composer Kathryn Tickell, with whom he has been working since 1998. He also has a growing reputation as a fairly decent accompanist of traditional song, having recorded and performed with amongst others Scottish singer and songwriter Karine Polwart, The Unthanks, Nuala Kennedy, and multi-award winning Barnsley songstress Kate Rusby.
From time to time Julian steps out of his comfort zone in order to work with musicians from beyond the folk sphere. Recent projects have involved performing alongside classical percussionist Evelyn Glennie, jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard, Norwegian brass legends the Brazz Brothers and Anglo-Indian tabla master Juljit Bhamra. his most exciting music adventure to date has been recording with fellow Geordie and celebrated musician Sting for the project ‘If On a Winter’s Night’ and now ‘The Last Ship’.
Other on-going musical adventures include The Auvo Quartet (an Anglo-Finnish group rotted in traditional music with a wide range of other influences), the Wendigo (with Stephen Tyler and Anne-Marie Summers of medieval music duo Misericordia) and most recently a duo with French bagpiper Fabrice Besson, playing new compositions influenced by English and French traditional music. He current teaches at The Sage Gateshead Music Education Center.
Luke Daniels
A virtuoso musician who performs a range of music alongside his traditional roots. Luke has been touring since the mid 1990’s with Riverdance, De Dannan and Cara Dillon but from 2012 released four critically acclaimed albums of his own songs. Revolve and Rotate in 2014 used a restored Victorian polyphon (music box) that played his own unique accompaniments to classic folk songs such as Canadee-IO.
Originally from Oxfordshire, though now based in Glasgow Luke developed a passion for Irish traditional music as a child, learning to play the button box from Connemara man Paddy Coyne who ran the local Irish pub but also remembers being enthralled by the folk songs and tunes of his own Scottish and English parents who played wooden flute and concertina.
He’s performed at many of the UK’s top festivals including Cambridge and Celtic Connections and appeared a guest on BBC Radio 2’s Folk Programme. His Irish accordion double album ‘The Mighty Box’ has become a compendium for the instrument and joins a long list of critically acclaimed solo projects and collaborations delivered over the years.
Tickets £12 available from Tully’s Rothbury
or email lesleyhallcoquetdalemuisctrust@gmail.com