London Fiddle Convention 13

2005-02-27

KentFolk paid the first visit of what I certainly hope will be an annual pilgramage, to the London Fiddle Convention, at Cecil Sharp House. This was the 13th, but the first time I had heard of it !

The session in the bar was in full-swing, with up to 12 fiddlers playing at the same time - joined very capably by young Tom Moore.

The evening concert was very well supported (though there was room for more), and was a impressive display of a range of styles by a number of top names, who gave their time free to support this event.

Here is a photo-report of the evening. I have included a few very short video-clips, just taken with an ordinary digital camera - very small picture size, or the files become far too large for the web. Their sound quality is awful, but I believe that the quality of the fiddling comes through, and justifies these video-clips being on the web.

Tom Moore, Jacob Wills and Freddie Smith are three young lads we will see much more of; it was a joy to see Freddie just relax into some excellently skilled jazz-fiddle.

I knew I had heard Chris Haigh's fiddle before - he is also with Klezmania, who gave an impressive display in the Festival Club, at Canterbury Festival 2003. He also plays with accordionist extraordinaire Serguei Pachnine (who Doug Hudson has brought to Kent on a number of occasions), as part of the "The Kremlinaires". Chris has a style I could listen to much more of.

Ever wondered what Grappelli would sound like live on a fiddle right in front oy you ? Tim Cliphuis is your man, he has been working with Grappelli's double bass player, and they have a CD - fascinating.

Pete Cooper's fiddle tune "August", written in anticipation of a long Summer's separation from a friend, is the saddest tune I have met : it is on "Turning Point" , Pete Cooper (fiddle) & Richard Bolton (cello); (Big Chain, 2001).

I could continue. All I will say, is, if you have any liking of fiddle music, do not miss next year. So, much thanks to Bob Winquist, for both some excellent fiddling and for making it all happen.

KIF 4637-40 Fiddle-Session