Born in Dungiven in 1975, surrounded and infused with the rich cultural heritage of her native County Derry, Cara has risen to become one of the finest exponents of traditional Irish song anywhere in the world. Together with her husband and musical partner, Sam Lakeman, she has succesfully steered an eclectic musical path defying the typical pigeonholes that hinder most artists in her genre. Celebrated for entwining traditional and contemporary elements she has earned both commercial success and astonishing critical acclaim. Whether she's singing her native traditional songs of lost love and emigration, or original compositions, you will be hard pressed to find a more emotive and captivating performer. Cara Dillon is at the very top of her field and one has the feeling she'll remain there for a very long time.

Legendary in the world of Gypsy Jazz, Robin Nolan is known as one of the most respected guitarists since Django Reinhardt. He's headlined every major Django Fest across the globe taking in multiple awards and a loyal following of guitar lovers. He's graced the stages of Montreux, North Sea Jazz, the Royal Albert Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center. George Harrison called him a favourite, Bill Wyman had him in his band, and Hank Marvin has frequently joined him live on stage.

Bewitching and otherworldly… Morrison’s voice is eerily confiding, strangely present, insistent even at its quietest. The singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter brings music from her powerful album The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs of Black British Experience. Angeline’s work is infused with elements of soul music, literature, ‘60s beat pop sounds, folklore, myth and the supernatural. Her original compositions and re-stitchings of traditional songs focus on storytelling and the small things that often go unnoticed. Produced by Eliza Carthy, The Sorrow Songs features some of her soaring string arrangements. Recorded in Cornwall at Cube Studios, it is a work of what Angeline calls ‘re-storying’. ‘The traditional songs of the UK are rich with storytelling, and you can find songs with examples of almost any kind of situation or person you can think of. But whilst people of the African diaspora have been present in these islands since at least Roman times, their histories are little known – and these histories don’t tend to appear in the folk songs of these islands.’ Angeline wanted to discover more about the lives of these ordinary and extraordinary Black ancestors. She set about creating an album in the sonic style of UK folk and traditional music, in the hope that this silent space could begin to be filled with stories. Released to commemorate Black History Month, The Sorrow Songs honours the Black ancestors who lived in these islands. Angeline Morrison paves the way and offers an authentic, brave folk voice of black British experience. In doing so, she presents us with a collection of songs that feel incredibly overdue. Long may they be sung out and loud. Tradfolk.co Support comes from blues and folk musician Clarke Camilleri. His song writing is eclectic, unique and influenced by the many music worlds he swims in. Clarke released his debut solo album of original music, The Rollin’ Hills of Home in 2020. He also features on The Sorrow Songs, and performs as a member of her band.

Nick Harper is one the UK's best kept musical secrets. Those who have witnessed the spellbinding, one-man show will tell you this. A childhood growing up surrounded by the musical prowess of some of the 60's most revered songwriters & musicians, not to mention being son of Roy Harper, along with 20 years of crafting songs & touring the land has spawned a truly one-off, original guitarist & songwriter who stands alone as a UK great, to be cherished & revered. For over two decades, he has been dazzling audiences, reviewers & fellow artists alike with his heady mix of virtuosity, boyish charm, showmanship & sheer bravado. An imagination bursting with ideas has seen Nick release 11 solo albums to critical acclaim, earning a Number 1 spot in the charts with the seminal hit 'Blue Sky Thinking'.

Clive has created a sound world all his own, with a signature blend of warmth and humour that belies his dazzling technical skill. Clive's masterful compositions feature influences mined from the delicate cadences of Elizabethan lute classics, the imaginative eccentricity of Frank Zappa, visionary classical composers such as Bartok and Ligeti, and hints of jazz and Delta blues! He has toured and worked with guitar greats such as John Williams, Tommy Emmanuel, Xuefei Yang, Ralph Towner, and John Renbourn. Total Guitar Magazine includes him in their Top 10 Best Acoustic Guitarists of All Time. This promises to be a very special evening in the company of one of the guitar greats. Please check with the venue nearer the time for any Covid requirements

Holly Clarke, a singer who draws from the old ballads and stories, conjures a performance that immediately captivates any listener. As a performer, Holly transports the listener into the heart of ballads, immersing them in the narratives that have shaped humanities experience through time. From songs of the supernatural and folklore, to the tales of love and loss, Holly Clarke sings with an infectious energy and passion for traditional song. Rising in popularity among folk audiences and performing with the likes of Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Daoiri Farrell and Queer Folk, Holly Clarke has made a name for herself as a powerful singer and accomplished guitar player. Performing at festivals and venues such as The Glasshouse International Centre For Music, Sidmouth Folk Festival, Bromyard Folk Festival, Tiree Music Festival, The Fire Station Sunderland and many, many more.

One of the UK's most exciting guitarists, Remi Harris is joined by double bassist Tom Moore and rhythm guitarist Chris Nesbitt to present an enthralling evening of Gypsy Jazz and Blues. Combining musical virtuosity with passion and flair, this dynamic trio deliver a mesmerising show inspired by Django Reinhardt, Peter Green, Wes Montgomery, Jimi Hendrix and Joe Pass. Since the age of seven, Remi has dedicated himself to a life of guitar. His playing has taken him from busking on the streets of his local towns to performing at many prestigious events and venues including Buckingham Palace, Montreal Jazz Festival, BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall with Jamie Cullum, and on national radio and television. Remi has been performing with Tom Moore for over ten years, during which time they have developed a remarkable musical affinity. Since graduating from The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2011 where he is currently based, Tom has performed around the UK with a variety of bands and musical projects. Starting at a young age on guitar and quickly moving to bass, he has appeared at high profile venues including the Royal Albert Hall and The North Sea Jazz Festival, and more recently supporting Jools Holland.

The fourth concert in the Festival of World Music is a celebration of the sounds of the Middle East. We welcome the Bristol-based duo Eastern Strings of Daphna Sadeh-Neu (double bass) and Knud Stüwe (oud) for their first performance at the Old Chapel. Their instrumental music is distinctive and exquisite, drawing together a tapestry of musical culture from across the Middle East and their performances combine world music energy with classical precision and characterful improvisations. They will be joined by special guest, zcan Ate, vocalist and master of the ear-catching traditional balama, a seven-stringed, long-necked lute central to Turkish and Kurdish folk traditions. His playing is intense and musically enriching and his vocals are lyrical, emotional and poignant. The trio's performances of an eclectic mix of Kurdish, Turkish, Ladino and Middle Eastern traditional songs and music have been described as visceral, evocative and full of surprise. Immerse yourself in these sumptuous worldly musical delights expertly plucked and sung by the ensemble in this, the finale of Calstock Arts journey around Our Music Planet.

The third concert of Our Music Planet Festival is a celebration of the music from Senegal, West Africa. We welcome the highly lauded Master Kora player, Diabel Cissokho for his first performance at Calstock Arts. As a creative visionary, pushing the boundaries of the Senegalese sound, he has become an ambassador for the new generation of Senegalese music. With his resonant voice and rocking kora style (Songlines magazine), he brings his unique Afro-Mandingue Blues style, transcendent Mandinkan melodies, and lively Senegalese rhythms to the Old Chapel. Diabel will be accompanied by Joff Watkins on harmonica and Seydou Kienou on percussion. Diabel Cissokho is fiercely proud of his Mandinka heritage and Senegalese roots, coming from a great line of Cissokho Griots. Not just musicians, griots are performers, historians, messengers, and custodians of oral traditions. To be a griot is a significant honour, a role that carries the weight of history and tradition, entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and transmitting oral histories across generations. Diabel is a passionate promoter and protector of griot culture and of the 21-stringed Kora, the iconic instrument in griot musical traditions, and synonymous with the sound of West African music. He recently contributed to the BBC programme African Renaissance:Senegal, exploring his role as a griot. He has an exceptional musical having toured internationally and performed with world class musicians including Baaba Maal, Youssou NDour, Pee Wee Ellis and Paul McCartney. He has played WOMAD, Glastonbury and performed live on the Cerys Matthews show on Radio 6 Music. In October 2025, he was invited to perform for delegates at the United Nations HQ in New York. Joff Watkins is one of the UK's foremost harmonica players, known for his outstanding playing on both chromatic and diatonic harmonicas. He has played sessions for many artists, touted internationally and has appeared on BBC Radio 2,3,4 and 6. He is also a member of one of the UK's leading blues bands Jimmy Regal and the Royals.

The second in the series of Our Music Planet Festival concerts is a celebration of the music from Latin America. We welcome The Latin Bridge on their first visit to Calstock Arts. It is a vocal and instrumental Latin/Cuban project that was formed in 2016 by the experienced Cuban musician Sergio Marciano Pereda. Joining Sergio (guitar/vocals) is Cristiano Rocha Assis (trumpet), Aldofredo Pulido (bass) and Yosmany González García (percussion). A dynamic and vibrant band that are always in a Latin Key, bringing the rich rhythms and soul of Latin music to life. Expect a swinging Saturday evening of traditional Cuban Folk, and from infectious dance grooves (Salsa, Bossa Nova, Rumba, Son..) to passionate Boleros ballads. From intimate whispers to full-throttle rhythm, the band delivers a journey through sound that is both thrilling and heartfelt.

ADRIEN BRANDEIS is a french jazz pianist and composer (Annecy, 1992) graduated from the conservatory of Paris. In 2017, he produced his first album "Euforia", which had great recognition and international success. "Euforia" put Adrien Brandeis, in the spotlight of the Jazz scene, and led him to be awarded the prestigious Letter One Rising Stars Jazz Award 2018. In 2020, he wrote his second album "Meetings", in quartet. It allows him to move towards a more modern and fresh sound. This album was selected by TSF Jazz Radio as Top 10 Best jazz albums in France. In 2022, he released in quartet "Siempre más allá" recorded in Mexico. It represents Adrien's personal tribute to Mexico. In November 2022, he awarded the UNAC Grand Prize for New Jazz Talent 2022. After this fruitful experience, he returned to France at the beginning of 2024 and formed a band with the Guadeloupean drummer Arnaud Dolmen (featured on 'Meetings'), joined by the Cuban (and Parisian) double bass player Felipe Cabrera and two of his compatriots on percussion: Abraham Mansfarroll or Yaroldy Abreu (depending on the track). It's a quartet that adopts different instrumental formulas as the tracks progress (piano/percussion duo, piano/bass/drums trio or quintet with the two percussionists). In May 2025, he released his fourth album, RESURGENCE, marking his return to the French and European scene. A record that astonishes us with its musical maturity, scope, intensity and diversity. A project served up with deep, demanding compositions, performed with a delightful musical expressiveness in a firework of rhythms (cha-cha-cha, guaguancó, merengue, samba...), carried by powerful melodies and a wealth of harmonies. Seeking new challenges, he was laureate of the 21st edition of the Film Music Composition Competition: Music for Short Films, 2025. At 33, Adrien Brandeis has already presented his music at some of Europe's biggest jazz festivals (Nice Jazz Festival -France, Umbria Jazz Festival -Italy), also in Asia (Jazzmandu - Nepal, Kolkata International Jazz Festival -India, Blue Note, Shanghai and Beijing -China), and in North America (Zacatecas Jazz Festival, Polanco Jazz Festival, Irapuato Jazz Festival, Festival de Música de Morelia -México; San Jose Jazz Festival -USA).

A presentation of harp music with deep local roots and sparkling international connections. Professional harpist Elizabeth-Jane Baldry will present and talk about pieces composed by one of Teignmouth’s most famous 19th-century sons. Parish Alvars was born in Teignmouth in 1808 and enjoyed a great international career. His innovatory harp technique was admired by such iconic figures as Liszt, Mendelssohn, Berlioz and many others. Come and be sparkled!!

The Lantivet Duo is Cornish violinist Anna Brigham and Scottish pianist Brendan Musk. They bring a fresh, contemporary approach to the violin and piano duo, combining excellence in performing traditional repertoire with writing their own music. At the heart of their collaboration is the desire to explore. Their roots in classical, folk, jazz, pop and funk music combined with boundless creativity have earned them critical acclaim, with Classic FM hailing them as "one of the best things to see." Together, they captivate audiences with a spellbinding blend of traditional and original pieces. Their exceptional programming is completely unique and has been described as "genuinely original and exploratory". The duo take a concept or a classical work and explode it outwards, exploring deep into what inspired the composer and using it as inspiration for their own music. Contemporary folk traditions, family life, environment, personal obsessions - there are so many influences in any composer's work. Using this as a jumping off point, the duo write their own music and arrange traditional folk tunes, which when paired with the classical work, reflects back to create a deeper, richer experience of the piece.

Mark and Loz are circus performers. But circus is REALLY hard. FailFailFailFailWin! is a show about not hiding all the "try"s you did that failed. Uplifting, nurturing and agelessly relevant. Join the adventure and explore what happens inside Loz's brain when she does a big FAIL. Meet a cast of characters on Loz's quest: the unkillable Rasputin - naughty nudger and negging enthusiast, oh and of course Sven Svenstoferson, Sweden's greatest astronaut. Featuring such fails and possibly wins in the mediums of diabolo, juggling, hulahoop, and an attempt to spin 8 real VERDAGEN ikea plates, retail value £2 each. Age guide: great for 3-10 year olds. Unsuitable for specifically 15 year olds that don't want to come. And we're strict on that!

Isla Croll is an emerging singer/songwriter whose attention-grabbing fusion of genres offers the audience her special brand of music. Isla is currently studying BMus (Hons) Music - Jazz Vocal at Royal Welsh Collage of Music and Drama Conservatoire (https://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/). Her early love of music was natured in the Hampshire County Youth Jazz Centre, at the local Locks Heath/Warsash schools and then at Barton Peveril studying Popular Music and Jazz. Isla is an emerging Jazz, R&B and Pop singer / songwriter whose attention-grabbing fusion of genres offers the audience her special brand of music. Her soulful voice is clear, highly emotive and athletic. As a recording artist, her wish is for people to connect with her songs messages and to feel something. Her music has been regularly featured on Radio and she has had the honour of performing on a BBC Introducing Stage. She looks forward to collaborating more with other artists in the industry and sharing more music with you

Connolly Hayes the electrifying UK Blues Awards 2025 nominees for UK Band of the Year and Album of the Year are turning heads internationally with their unforgettable fusion of blues, rock, and soul. This powerhouse group features five long-time friends Jess Hayes, Frankie Connolly, Beau Barnard, Joe Mac, and Andy Wilder. Their debut album, Remember Me, released in the summer of 2024, was an instant hit, earning Pick of the Month honours from the Independent Blues Broadcasters Association. Just months later, they followed up with Live at Echo Zoo Studios, an EP that's already capturing attention. But the best is yet to come the band is currently hard at work on their highly anticipated second album, set for release in 2026.

Even if you've never heard of American jazz guitarist B.D. Lenz it's very possible you've heard his music before - it's been featured on hundreds of TV shows around the globe. He's released thirteen recordings of his unique brand of funky jazz that fuses virtuoso musicianship with expert songwriting. Joining B.D. will be James Rosocha (bass) and Joe Falcey (drums). Together, this trio will keep you surprised with their eclectic mix of jazz standards, original jams, and pop classics

Nos Lowen is a style of Cornish social dancing with its roots firmly in traditional Celtic music. Nos Lowen is Cornish for "Happy Night" Why not join us at Calstock Arts in welcoming the Kelliwik Golowi Band and get ready for an unforgettable night of music and dance with a proper Cornish knees up, full of energy, laughter and community spirit. This event is a Gallery Bar Special with a bucket collection, all proceeds to Callington Youth Project Group.

Alan Dall and the Sea of Stories is an exciting new show from Mike OConnor and Barbara Griggs. It comprises dramatic tales from Celtic Lands, told in words and music, with harp, violin and concertina. Mike and Barbara are not only great storytellers and musicians, they are also both accomplished offshore sailors. In this show, their tales are set on the sea, in the sea, and beside the sea. They are rich with insight. They are engaging, exciting, moving and amusing. The audience is taken on a voyage of adventure, drama and magic, but they are always brought safely home. Since the Bronze Age, bards have declaimed battle honours, genealogies, histories and stories, both to entertain and also to endorse the positions of their rulers. By camp fires and hearths, families told tales to entertain and to educate both adults and children. As late as the nineteenth century, travelling storytellers in Cornwall told tales in return for bed and board. Mike OConnor OBE is a well known storyteller, with a deep knowledge of legend and folk tale, and a great skill with language. A bard of Gorsedh Kernow, he is respected as a violinist, song writer and musicologist, and is known to many for his music for Poldark. Barbara Griggs is a skilled and sensitive musician and a fine storyteller. She too is a bard as well as being a Gorsedh harpist. Her music has been described as having breath-taking beauty. She is the expert on costume and custom, and with Mike, has worked to integrate words, sound effects and music to high praise. Mike and Barbara's Return to Lyonesse won a British Award for Storytelling Excellence and Odysseus Dreaming was an acclaimed retelling of Homer. The show lasts 90 minutes, with two 45-minute halves. It is family friendly and best suited to children of 12 and over.

Mae Karthauser brings her latest band to sing the songs of Joni Mitchell including the songs from the seminal album Blue. Mae and her fellow musicians put together a one off Joni Mitchell Blue tribute at the Barrel House in Totnes, were floored by the response and have now had 3 sell out gigs in Devon performing the songs. Mae is a Devon based singer/songwriter who has toured Europe extensively. She has featured on both Radio 3 and Radio 6 and performed live on the BBC's One Show. One of the most moving gigs, if not the most moving gig I have ever attended Tracie Gillies, Programme Director, The Barrel House, Totnes.

Cole Stacey is a visceral and lyrical songwriter, singer and musician whose versatility as a performer has taken him from The Royal Albert Hall to a 14th century castle in Gdansk, from Manchester Central Library to The Westfalenhalle Arena, from festivals in Johannesburg to live sessions on BBC Radio 5 Live. With more than a decade-long association with Midge Ure and India Electric Company he has roamed the highest echelons of British folk through to 80s synth pop.