This is a rare chance to see, probably for the last time, a singer who is as well known in the World of Jazz and Blues as she is in that of Folk Music in a duo with the acclaimed American fiddler, Kate Kramer. She’s from Chicago but her music took her right across the USA and then to Europe where her first album “Nobody Knows You” in 1988 won the Music Retailers Association Award for Excellence.
According to Billy Connelly she is “Nothing less than stupendous” and she was described by Danny O’Rourke in The Herald as having “A voice like a brillo pad dunked in honey”. She retired from touring over a decade ago to devote herself to teaching voice. She was reluctantly persuaded out of retirement in 2009 to perform at Moniaive Folk Festival where an audience in excess of 300 gave her a standing ovation.
As far as singer songwriters go, Keith Hancock is a one-off. For a start he plays melodeon as if he was in a Rock Band. Add to that one of the most powerful voices in the business, a penchant for writing songs which are politically satirical (The Boys of the Old Brigade); historical (The Overland Lifeboat) and humorous (La Petamain) and you have someone difficult to categorise. He was a particular favourite of the Folk Club circuit for many years, appearing at most of the major Festivals then he upped stumps and disappeared. Last year we tracked him down to his new home in Bangkok and persuaded him to return for a one off series of concerts at the 2011 Festival. He agreed and is also contemplating a short tour of England.
Claire Hastings, who is the supporting artist for all three concerts, is an outstanding young singer from Dumfries currently in her fourth year of BA (Hons) in Scottish Music at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. SHe has performed at Celtic Connections, the Lord Provost of Glasgow’s Burns Supper and as far afield as Rostov on Don, Russia as well as her home area.
This event is part of the Round and About Multi Event Discount. To take advantage of this offer (not available on-line), please contact dgArts on 01387 253383
