Chetham’s Big Band
The Stoller HallA matinee show from Chetham’s Big Band and jazz ensembles.
PLUS ACCOMPANYING WORKSHOP
Four time nominee and 2015 winner of the Musician Of The Year BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Sam Sweeney is a veteran of the mighty Bellowhead, former and inaugural artistic director of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, founder member of the acclaimed instrumental trio Leveret, and ‘one of the defining English fiddle players of his generation’ (Mark Radcliffe) at the forefront of the revival in English traditional music.
After the release of his three critically acclaimed albums, The Unfinished Violin, Unearth Repeat and Escape That, Sam is taking to the road for a few exclusive, intimate, totally acoustic solo performances, playing some of his favourite tunes. In Manchester, he’ll be performing in the beautiful, medieval surroundings of Chetham’s Baronial Hall.
Sam has also recorded and performed with The Full English, Eliza Carthy, Jon Boden & The Remnant Kings, Fay Hield & The Hurricane Party, Emily Portman, Martin Carthy, as well as his own critically acclaimed show Made In The Great War.
“The fiddler with the Midas touch… an English equivalent of the great Irish fiddle player Martin Hayes.” **** The Guardian
“Sweeney’s playing is unearthly at times: the singular focus of this set and the level of its performance makes this an outstanding and deeply moving experience.” ***** – Songlines
The event takes place at Chetham’s Baronial Hall. Entrance will still be via our main doors on Hunts Bank (see map below or visit our How To Find Us Page). The main door will be open from one hour before the performance.
Accompanying Workshop
Sam Sweeney is a gifted musician with a wonderful talent for teaching, developed through his involvement in an impressive array of education projects, including his appointment in 2016 as the inaugural artistic director of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, teaching at the English Acoustic Collective Summer School, and leading many residential workshops at Halsway Manor, Centre for the Folk Arts.
Sam focuses on expanding his students’ tool kits so that they can start playing tunes the way they want to play them. This includes working on bowing technique, groove, pulse and getting rhythm into tunes and getting old English tunes off the page and into the air.
To get the most from Sam’s teaching, participants should have at least a good basic knowledge of how to play their instrument. Ability to learn tunes by ear would be useful.
Book both the workshop and concert for just £35. During the ticket booking process, you’ll be asked if you’d like to add the workshop as an accompanying event. The discount will automatically apply at the payment screen.
