Programme to include works by Piazzolla, Bartok and Messiaen plus Macedonian folk music and music inspired by that of Brazil.

Formed in 2013, the Meraki Duo enjoys exploring the diversity of repertoire available to the flute-guitar pairing while contributing new arrangements of their own. Meera Maharaj (flute) and James Girling (guitar) both studied at the RNCM, sharing a passion for chamber music that extends to jazz, works by contemporary composers, and Brazilian folk. They love performing in a wide variety of contexts and venues; most recently, these have included Swaledale Festival, St James’s Church in Piccadilly, Manchester Cathedral, and the Bridgewater Hall as part of Craig Ogden’s Guitar Weekend. They regularly perform for recital series across the UK, with recent concerts for Lake District Summer Music, Lymm Festival and Classical Cleveland. This year, they advanced to the final of the Royal Overseas League Competition (mixed ensembles category) in London.  

http://meeramaharaj.co.uk/meraki-duo.html

Stuart McCallum: acoustic guitar
with Mark Slater: piano

and the Amika string quartet
Simmy Singh and Laura Senior: violins
Lucy Nolan: viola
Peggy Nolan: cello

A firm Hebden Bridge favourite, Manchester-based jazz guitarist Stuart McCallum returns to Wainsgate after his appearances with The Breath and with singer/songwriter Zoe Kyoti, for what promises to be a most delightful concert. Best known for his work with The Cinematic Orchestra, McCallum has frequently performed at the Trades Club with organist John Ellis’s band and at the late lamented HX7 Jazz Club with his own bands.

 “The music suggests the feel of the Cinematic Orchestra, Brian Eno and In a Silent Way-era Miles Davis” The Guardian, UK

“Guitarist Stuart McCallum’s compositions are exemplary of everything that is exciting about new British jazz.” Jazzwise, UK

“Simple, understated and hypnotic he had the audience locked in and silent…Living proof that less is more.” Jez Nelson, Jazz on 3, BBC Radio 3

www.stuartmccallum.com

The neo-classical, folk-noir and theatrical parlour pop of Beware of Trains is a spirited collaboration between pianist, producer and singer/songwriter Leighton Jones (The Dead Man's Waltz) and the operatic vocal talents of Scottish Soprano Marie Claire Breen.

Combining stylistic elements of the Nouvelle Chanson and European Cabaret tradition (feat. a Victorian lovesick ghost duetting with his widow on subjects including the 21st century anomaly of Facebook Graveyards) the duo present an intimate broken dolls-house live set on piano, toy piano, accordion and vocals.

http://www.leightonjones.org.uk

"Proving that an all-female, dynamic duo can indeed create the most entrancing form of alternative rock..." The Music Manual.

Hailing from the Northwest, vibrant, award-winning duo ME And Deboe play driving acoustic music that lives or dies on dexterous fingers and determined singing. Sharply observed, frequently witty lyrics, the standout duo move effortlessly between powerful chords and delicate, percussive riffs to bring a stripped back and distinctly original sound. The duo have been on a non- stop live tour, elevating energetic acoustic music across audiences on both a national and international stage. They have performed across Europe and America, establishing a firm place in a variety of diverse live music scenes. Their new single "The End" is out now, produced by Mercy Elise, and mastered by Alex Gordon at Abbey Road Studio.

https://www.meanddeboe.com/

“Deep Cabaret emerged fully-formed from the intertidal mudflats and cowbelly quicksands of Morecambe Bay creating an entrancement of riffs and drones. Desert blues improv and noir-drenched drone songs; hurdies, bagpipes, throat singing, cello, bass clarinet and drums make sparkling jazz, rooted folk and torching vocals.
Lyrics sampled from literature, science, sitcoms, anything that has something interesting to say about being human.”

Audiences say "Gorgeous and stirring", "Wonderful and invigorating".

“I have had the pleasure over the past years to play alongside some talented musicians including I Am Kloot’s John Bramwell, American folk artist Sam Amidon and King Creosote. I have also been fortunate enough to collaborate with Badly Drawn Boy one of my tracks, ‘Kill the lights Suzanne’. Having my music featured on BBC’s Countryfile, the Voice, and more recently the British comedy ‘Eaten by Lions’ have also been welcome achievements over the years. Joining me at Wainsgate Chapel will be Leighton Jones on piano: a fantastic musician and songwriter in his own right. Also singing and playing various instruments will be local talent Kate Radford who has been busy touring her own performance piece ‘Drought’.”

https://www.facebook.com/aronharperrobinson/

A weekend of concerts, workshops and impromptu performances given by choirs and vocal ensembles, loosely themed on peace, love and understanding: 100 years on from the end of the 1^st World War. (PLEASE NOTE: Saturday's events are at The Birchcliffe Centre, Sunday's at Wainsgate Chapel)

Recital of contemporary pieces for solo marimba “A superb performance from an amazing young musician” Hebden Bridge Arts Festival 2011Andrew Thomas:      Merlin 

Joseph Schwanter: Velocities
Paul Lansky: Three Moves for Marimba
Steven Mackey: See Ya Thursday
David Lang: String Of Pearls
Philippe Hurel:   Loops IV

 Joe has performed all over the UK and abroad in a huge array of musical contexts; ranging from work as a contemporary solo artist, to that of an orchestral, chamber and West End musician. He has appeared with numerous ensembles including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and London Sinfonietta, frequently featuring on national radio and television.

Haydn: Quartet Op 33 no 2
Shostakovich: Quartet no 8

Interval

Dvorak:  ‘American‘ Quartet

Alexandra Stemp- First Violin
Alex studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London with David Takeno and John Glickman. After freelancing with several major UK orchestras she took a first Violin post in the Halle for eight years. She now freelances with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the Halle and Northern Chamber orchestra, takes part in recording sessions in Manchester and teaches from home in East Lancashire.

Susan Voss - Second Violin
Sue studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with David Takeno, and then continued her studies for many years with Howard Davis of the Alberni Quartet. She spent 2 years in the Sadlers’ Wells Royal Ballet orchestra in the first violins followed by five years in the BBC Radio Orchestra in London. Then followed nine years in the firsts of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales followed by five years as principal Second of the English String/Symphony Orchestra. Since moving to the Halifax she has freelanced - mostly with the Halle, but also with the RLPO, Opera North and the BBC Philharmonic.

Jayne Coyle - Viola
Jayne studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Vicci Wardman. Based in Manchester she freelances with the Halle, RLPO, Opera North and Manchester Camerata. She also manages and plays in The Solo Players String Quartet - a group of musicians providing live music for commercial and corporate events.

Esther Harriot- Cello
Esther studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Moray Welsh, Marius May and Antonio Lysy. She was a member of the Royal Seville Symphony Orchestra and now performs regularly with orchestras in the north of England including the Halle and the RLPO. Her orchestral career has been augmented by numerous chamber ensembles, including a tango band!

Andy Greaves: vocals, mandolin, guitar
Les Gillon: guitar
Jen Rhiannon Trott: iddle, vocals

Ghost School is a new musical ensemble based largely around the original songs of Calderdale musician Andy Greaves (vocals, mandolin and guitar), a heavy dose of traditional material and, here and there, some very odd poetry. The band features urbane master of the guitar Les (Fez) Gillon and the talented Jen Rhiannon Trott (fiddle and vocals). Expect strong melodies, mystery and mayhem with subjects ranging from murderous cheese thievery in early nineteenth century Cheshire, a heartfelt eulogy to a globe artichoke and the exploits of a cunning, grimly humorous owl. 

Kerry Andrew: voice, keyboard, ukulele, synthesiser and loop station.

Alternative folk artist performing a collection of original songs and bold arrangements of traditional ones.

‘A hydrosonic revelation… full of surreality, wit and melodies melting on the water…totally compelling and totally immersive’ - BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction

“English avant-folk at its finest” – The Guardian 

“Her voice is a thing of beauty and clarity… [she is] reconfiguring British folk as a music not only of the past, but of the present and future” – Prog