For the last twenty years, Jez has toured the world, building up a formidable reputation in the USA, Australia and Europe, and gaining the respect of his peers and his audience alike. Folk supremo Richard Thompson called him "the best songwriter to emerge from the UK in a long time", and his songs are among the most widely sung by folksingers and bands around the country’s clubs and festivals. This will be the first time that Jez has played solo at Ely Folk Club, although he and the Bad Pennies played for us back in 2004, so we thought it was high time that he came back.

Brian Peters is one of the English folk scene’s great all-rounders: a compelling singer, a top squeezebox player and a skilled guitarist. Brian is one of the country’s best anglo-concertina players and is just as good on melodeon, while he’s also internationally-known as a singer of traditional ballads. He delivers a repertoire of startling variety, so alongside those classic songs from the tradition, and lively English dance tunes, you can expect to hear newer songs, his own instrumental compositions, and wild squeezebox excursions into ragtime or blues. His stage act bristles with energy and wit. Brian has played major folk festivals in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada, as well as touring extensively in Europe. He’s collaborated with many British and American musicians, is in demand as an instrumental teacher and workshop leader, and has recorded several highly-acclaimed CDs.

Ask anyone on the English folk scene who is their favourite guitarist, singer, songwriter and entertainer and nine times out of ten the same name will crop up in the top three of every department. Steve Tilston is one of our most celebrated song-smiths; widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music: the words, arrangements and subtle but quite superb guitar playing could be no one else. The writer of the classic songs The Slipjigs and Reels, The Naked Highwayman and Here’s to Tom Paine, has a new album out now! On Ziggurat hear Tilston deftly weave his mastery on a dozen new insightful songs of love, loss, war and gold, plus a couple of traditional gems. We were shocked when we realised that Steve last played at Ely Folk Club back in 1992, so thought it was high time we had him back at the club!

James Hickman was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, where he was raised on a diet of folk and bluegrass music. James’ father (an avid bluegrass musician) taught James guitar, and by the age of thirteen James was already performing with him at sessions and folk clubs. After music college James travelled with his guitar to Ireland and then to Iceland, where he began working with his lifelong friend Dan Cassidy. Dan Cassidy grew up in a musical family in Maryland, USA, gaining a solid background in music after taking up the violin on his tenth birthday. His formative years as a teenager were productive, as Dan absorbed a broad spectrum of musical styles, including classical, jazz, bluegrass, country, blues and rock. While touring professionally in the UK in the 1980’s, Dan was introduced to the music of Shetland fiddler Aly Bain, which sparked his keen interest in celtic music, and the UK folk scene in general. Dan has spent the last 15 years in Iceland as a successful session musician, and has returned to the UK regularly to perform with his own group, The Dan Cassidy Swing Quartet. His list of recording credits is long and impressive, including several of his sister, the late Eva Cassidy.

Following their fantastic concert in Haddenham in December 2007, ColvinQuarmby are back by popular demand! The band line-up has changed since their last visit, with Dave Dutfield having left, but new members Marion Fleetwood and Allen Maslen (both from Meet on the Ledge) have now established their places in the band and provide an even fuller sound than before. ColvinQuarmby are probably the hardest band to describe. They have strong folk elements, in that the songs are narratives, but a definite rocky edge. Someone described them as sounding like early Hollies... What is clear is that these guys (and gal) will provide a wonderful evening of entertainment and fantastic music.

This will be a very special gig, held in the Arkenstall Village Centre in Haddenham. There will be a licensed bar.

Doors will open at 7.30pm and the music will start at 8.00pm.

The location of the Arkenstall Village Centre is shown on this map (in Adobe Acrobat format).

One of the best-loved musicians in the folk world, Dave Swarbrick has won many fans through his work with the Ian Campbell Folk Group, Martin Carthy, Fairport Convention, Whippersnapper, Lazarus, Kevin Dempsey and many others. His obituary was famously published in the Daily Telegraph some years ago, and he lives to tell the tale. Back in 2004, Swarb underwent a double lung transplant having suffered for some years with emphysema, and many of his friends organised concerts to raise money for him during this time. We are delighted that he has made a full recovery and thrilled that he will be playing at Ely Folk Club. This will be our Christmas special, with a festive flavour.