We are delighted to welcome the return of award-winning troubadour Jez Lowe to Harrogate Folk Club. He is one of the most admired musicians on the UK folk scene and a superlative songwriter. Many of you may know him from his work on the famous BBC Radio Ballads series, or as being one of the Pitman Poets. We know him as a masterful wordsmith and singer who has you thinking and laughing out loud with his wry and unique observations on life.

We are delighted that the Lost Notes Trio have agreed to appear in our spring programme. Always a favourite at the club This local group are a real treat! They are (partly) based in Moseley where politics, drunkenness, misery and glee abound. It makes for a great night out! Oli Jobes likes folk, Ben Mills likes jazz and they contend to cover a wide spectrum of music from RnB, funk, blues, country and folk-a fast-paced set that is always high on fun and audience engagement. So be ready for a fabulous evening of fun, dance and music.

Seb Stone is a 22 year old traditional singer, whistle player and uilleann piper from the Peak District. After graduating from Royal Holloway University in 2022, with singing lessons at the Royal Academy of Music, he won both the Future of Folk and Shantyman of the Year awards at Bromyard Folk Festival, as well as Stainsby Folk Festival's singing competition. In the autumn of 2023, he was billed alongside Martin Carthy at Cork Folk Festival, and sang on stage with the Wilson Family at Hartlepool Folk Festival a week later. He draws on a varied repertoire of traditional English and Irish songs, focussing on the stories they have to tell, and their relevance to our modern world. Seb is very active in the Sheffield folk scene, regularly attending and running sessions for both tunes and songs, and his debut album, recorded with Scribe Records, was released in March 2024.

A friendly floor spots night, hosted by Jake Thornton.

Folk, blues and Americana singer-songwriter Amit Dattani has garnered attention from BBC Radio 2 and 6Music for his nimble fingerpicking and lyrical originality, building a formidable reputation in the UK. His latest album, Wrong Kind of One, channels resilience and hope with honesty and craft, marking him out as a compelling voice in contemporary roots music. A master musician Blues Matters Dattani sparkles with his deft delivery At The Barrier Arresting and uniquely beautiful Classic Rock Mag Simple, sincere and authentic Folking Fantastic Cerys Matthews

Described by BBC Radio 2 presenter Mark Radcliffe as the Stevie Nicks of Folk. The south-west based singer/songwriter Alex Hart is set for her most exciting and anticipated album release to date. At 18 she collaborated with electronic duo Electronic Youth on a cover of Angie Stones I Wish I Didnt Miss You which had huge global radio success reaching No.2 in the Music Week Dance Charts and was supported by Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1. This recognition spearheaded a run of high-profile festivals performances and a slot opening for UK folk sensation Turin Brakes at the Lyme Regis Folk festival. Alex's opening performances landed her two record deals, as she was quickly snapped up by US label OK!Good Records and Right Track Records UK. Alex started working with Grammy Award winning songwriter and producer Terry Britten (famous for What's Love Got To Do With It for Tina Turner) and went on to release her critically acclaimed debut Album On this Day Following the success of Alex's debut album, her voice and musicianship caught the eye of legendary Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre, who asked Alex to be a part of his band as a musician and vocalist for their European and international tour dates. Alex has performed and toured all over the UK/Europe with the band and has embarked on many international US tours. Alex also collaborates and performs alongside, the critically acclaimed Devon born folk singer Seth Lakeman, Alex's voice as well her multi-instrumental playing features heavily on his brand-new album. The single Higher We Aspire received huge BBC Radio 2 support, and Alex performed the song live on BBC Breakfast TV. As well as a busy touring schedule, Alex is constantly working on new music ready for new releases in 2023, including her new album VISIONS which has just been released this September alongside a successful UK tour. You can now buy a CD, Pre-Order a Vinyl or download the new album Visions on Bandcamp. This album has been a real labor of love for me. Each song tells a story about a certain time in my life, some reflecting on relationships with friends, family and my career. I wanted this album to resonate with others, hopefully helping them through the difficult hurdles we face. This album is about feeling powerful and overcoming hard situations. One song, however, Blackbird which features well-known folk artist Benji Kirkpatrick on Bouzouki, is all about lockdown. Everytime I walked around the park near my home I felt like the blackbird was following me. It was a constant reminder of my family and how much I missed seeing them. Ive been very lucky to have some amazing guest appearances on my new record, including Seth Lakeman and Martin Barre from Jethro Tull. They are great friends of mine, I have toured the UK, Europe and the USA with them and they have contributed highly to my journey in the music industry. The album artwork was created by Phil James, an artist from Plymouth who is a dear friend of mine. He has captured the sentiment completely. Myself and Andy, my husband got engaged near Yosemite in 2022, so using the wanderlust photo was fitting for this project, marking this poignant time in my life. Writing and recording with Josiah at Momentum Studios was also such a highlight, it took a few months to gather the material together, time spent alone first in my home studio and then bringing the ideas to Josiah, where we would rework the songs together. We both played many of the tracks live and then overdubbed different instruments. I wanted to get the most organic sound as possible and I think we made a great team. Visions is definitely my best work so far. I am so proud of this album, it is completely self-funded and it was so special to have complete control over every aspect. I cant wait for everyone to hear it. Alex Hart is not only a talented vocalist, but an accomplished musician too, 2023 is set to be her most successful and exciting year yet. "Alex Hart is set to make a global impact" THE GUARDIAN "Alex Hart is not only a talented vocalist, but an accomplished musician too. Alex has grown as a musician over the years and is continually adding new instruments to her armoury." REVIEW MNPR MAGAZINE

Will Finn and Rosie Calvert are an award-winning husband-and-wife duo who came together through their love of music. First coming to prominence with their acapella quartet The Teacups, the pair perform traditional and contemporary folk music with vibrancy and flair intricate harmonies; the rousing instrumentation of piano, steel pan, and ukulele; and joyful, warm stage presence. Graduates of their native Newcastle's Folk and Traditional Music degree, Rosie and Will's music combines influences ranging from old English ballads to gothic Americana, but they are most defined by their spell-binding harmonies. With only two voices, their arrangements have been described as deceptively full, and their joy in singing is infectious chorus songs abound and singing along is encouraged! Audiences are immediately put at their ease by the pair's inviting stage presence and warm banter, and the duo rise to ever greater heights with their second studio album. Their musical chemistry and virtuosity have matured and developed, creating a transformative and evocative sound that leaves listeners eager for more.

ABI BUDGEN Singer, songwriter, guitarist, poet, Abi Budgen is an artist in the deepest sense of the word, her work a beautiful explosion of everything that makes us human. "A formidable force... Immense fun to watch, extreme and talented" Birmingham Review "A hidden gem in the chaotic universe." Songwall Abi's innovative musical style is born of a lifetime's love and study of traditional blues and gospel music, of which she is also an internationally respected teacher. Her song 'Cry' features on album 'Music Minds' alongside artists including Andy Fairweather Low, Chris Difford and Tom Robinson. Hauntingly on point Jasmine Gardosi (former Birmingham Poet Laureate) "Vibrant and strong and good for the heart" Phil Wiggins "It Is an honour for me to work with such an exceptional artist" MIchael Roach Abi is frequently accompanied by long-time collaborator Dan Wilkins (from the Destroyers) on drums and percussion. ROB PETERS AND THE SLAPDASH COWBOYS "Born in Edgbaston and living in Kings Heath, Rob has been singing and playing the guitar for many years, forming the bands Dangerous Girls in the 1970s and Well Always Have Paris in the 1990s. In between he has found time to record and tour with Everything But The Girl, Boo Hewerdine, Eddi Reader, Black and a host of others who have all influenced his music. Rob will be playing this show to launch his new album performing along with the Slapdash Cowboys [Hannah Brown on drums and vocals, Kate Hall on bass guitar and synthesiser and Emma Reading on electric guitar and vocals] The 45 minute show will feature songs from all four of his albums , The Moon That Thought It Was The Sun, Alive! Dream Songs

Jim Causley is a folk-singer, award winning songwriter, musician, proud Devonian and all-round entertainer. He grew up in a wassailing village not far from Sidmouth Folk Festival and found his voice singing with local choirs. He studied Performing Arts and Jazz & Popular Music at Exeter College where he cut his teeth performing in bands on the Exeter music scene before heading to the University of Newcastle upon Tyne to study on their brand new degree course in Folk & Traditional Music. He rose to prominence singing with The Devil's Interval and Mawkin:Causley as well as touring with Waterson:Carthy and David Rotheray. In recent years his work has focused on his musical settings of poems by his relative Charles Causley, penning his own songs and reviving lost gems from his home county. Miranda Sykes started her career as a musician in 1996 at the age of 18, playing bass guitar in a country rock band. After 2 years touring and playing for line dancing in working mens clubs across Britain, folk-rock band Pressgang were looking for a bass player. Miranda spent the next 2 years touring internationally with them. After a few years of musical promiscuity playing with Firebrand, Little Johnny England, Robb Johnson, Bill Jones, Steafan Hannigan, Reg Meuross, Kirsty McGee, The Phil Beer Band, Martyn Joseph and The Scoville Units; Miranda depped for Pete Zorn in the 2004 Show Of Hands festival band line up. She worked with them for the next 20 years. Miranda also found time for a short tour and album with the Miranda Sykes Band in 2005, duo album tours with mandolin player Rex Preston and 2 solo albums. 2024 brings a second tour with Hannah Martin, a new Baring-Gould Centenary project with Jim Causley, summer festivals with vocal group Daphne's Flight, a tour with The Phil Beer Trio and a new solo album and tour Out Of The Woods.

The Lost Notes are a band born and based in the creatively fertile blaglands of Moseley, Birmingham UK. They write songs about things that matter. Like the perils of one night stands and plastic surgery, the plight of bankers, greaseballs, snakes, Greco-Roman health and safety failings, mules, mermaids and the downright miserable. The principal songwriters are Ben and Oli. Oli likes folk and Ben digs jazz. Both are stubborn. So each seeks to exert their own subtle influence on the music. The result is part folk with a drag of soul roots, a slug of gospel, or downright country with a thump of jazz around the edges. The band are: Ben Mills: vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica; Oli Jobes: lead guitar, vocals; Lucy Mills: vocals and, on a good day, cowbell. Pete Churchill and Max Tomlinson ignore the prima donnas vying for attention out front and thump out driving rhythms on double bass and drums. They have built up a loyal fan base across the folk and festival circuit through performances at places such as Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Costa Festival, Portugal, Moseley Folk Festival, Birmingahm Symphony Hall, Bromsgrove Folk Festival, Beardy Folk Festival, The Glee Club, The Jam House, the MAC, Birmingham Conservatoire Theatre and folk clubs across the Midlands and beyond. They have recently released their critically acclaimed third album: Good Luck Shoes, which has been played on BBC Radio, was British Country Music Associations "Editors Choice" and Album of the Week on British Country Music Radio. They are currenlty touring the album and working on new material for the next one. As well as performances with the full band, Ben, Lucy and Oli also frequently perform as an acoustic trio at smaller clubs and house gigs. A highlightwere Moseley band The Lost Notes. Theydrew a huge crowd for their fast-paced set that was high on fun and audience engagement. Moseley Folk Festival Review An assured debut from the Moseley based country-pop band, stalwarts of the Birmingham live circuit, with a large and loyal fan base. Live shows are up-tempo joyous events, the love of the music and trust and affection between band members showing clearly through. The eleven original tracks are a quintessentially English take on country folk, sharing the melodic and commercial sensibilities of Hank Williams with the quirky Brit-pop of the Kinks, and more than a dash of hot club era gypsy swing a band that are highly recommended live. (FATEA Magazine)

Transatlantic duo The Moon Poppies, featuring Ellie Dattani (vocals, banjo and ukulele) and Zoe Swann (vocals, double bass), specialise in close vocal harmony from 1900-1940s America and England, with the queens of harmony The Boswell Sisters and The Andrews Sisters as key influences. Taking inspiration from the tradition of Barbershop Singing, American Spirituals and English Folk Singing, The Moon Poppies are part of a new growing trend of young musicians reviving and reimagining the traditional music of the past. Against a backdrop of division sweeping across the US and the UK, The Moon Poppies spread the message of peace, love and joy through the power of harmony.