Programme at a glance
September 2021
Friday 3rd September 2021:
Virtual Open Stage
with special guest Cliff Ward
8pm (Meeting opens at 7:45pm)
Performers this evening will also include:
Paul Astley (The Wandering Man),
Gram Phillips (Tupelo Lime),
Joe Quinn,
Gerd Wagner,
Elsi,
Pauline Valance,
Joe Turone
Amy Devine
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Friday 10th September 2021:
Virtual Showcase
with Karen Pfeiffer and Paul Walker
8pm (Meeting opens at 7:45pm)
Appearing this evening:
Karen Pfeiffer and Paul Walker
Tu-kay and Ryan
Luke James Williams
Carter Dolby
For more details see https://cambridgefolkclub.co.uk/pages/virtual-showcase-10th-september-2021-with-karen-pfeiffer-and-paul-walker
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Friday 17th September 2021:
Live concert with the John Ward Trio
8pm (Doors open at 7:30pm)
Support: Kaszak and Afifi
At the NCI Club, Holland Street, Cambridge CB4 3DL
Tickets: In advance: £8, Members: £7
To ensure social distancing, the number of seats will be limited.
Please buy tickets in advance.
For tickets and more information see the detailed programme for 17th September 2021.
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Friday 24th September 2021:
Joint Virtual Concert
with North Reading Community Coffee House
8pm (3pm EDT in Boston) Meeting opens at 7:45pm(2:45pm EDT)
Joint Virtual Evening
With musicians from Cambridge Folk Club and North Reading Community Coffee House, North Reading, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
This evening’s line up is:
8:00pm Michelle Abadia (NRCCH)
8:10pm David Youngs (Cambridge Folk Club)
8:20pm Randy Emmons (NRCCH)
8:30pm Sheri Kershaw (Cambridge Folk Club)
8:40pm Texas Dave Hardwick (NRCCH)
8:50pm Gemma Khawaja (Cambridge Folk Club)
9:00pm Mary Ann McAllister (NRCCH)
9:10pm The Larks (Cambridge Folk Club)
9:20pm Bob and Diane Kordas (NRCCH)
9:40pm Kelly and Woolley (Cambridge Folk Club)
Michelle Abadia
Michelle is a soprano vocalist and acoustic guitarist. Though classically trained, she specialises in musical theatre, in American composers such as Gershwin and Porter, and in covers of such greats as Barbara Streisand, Stevie Wonder and The Beatles, among others. Her three albums are available on iTunes, Amazon Music, Google Play, CD Baby and Spotify.
https://www.facebook.com/sopranofantab
David Youngs
Originally a jazz drummer, recently David has been focusing on his acoustic guitar playing, developing a percussive, finger-style approach to produce works full of depth and atmosphere, which often feature unusual time signatures and scales. He also plays the Halo tuned steel pan - a very special instrument indeed. He released his debut album 'Transience' in 2011; this was followed by 'Halo 165' in 2012, and 'InBetween Silence' in 2016. In 2020 he collaborated with another local musician, Sam Inglis, on an album of rocked-up traditional folk songs, 'I Have Committed Murder'.
"David's unique style of guitar playing isn't folk, jazz, classical or new age - it is just plain mesmerising" -Taplas magazine.
Randy Emmons
Randy Emmons is a classical guitarist/singer-songwriter whose performances include both original instrumentals and songs that range from the humorous to the poignant. His compositions have won numerous awards and he has shared the stage with talents such as the renowned guitarist Richard Smith, and the veteran singer-songwriter David Roth. Randy lived in Western Connecticut for many years and currently resides in Osprey Florida. This evening's concert will focus mostly on original, funny, and poignant songs delivered all on nylon string guitar. He was one of the winners of last year’s Connecticut Folk Festival Grassy Hill Songwriting Competition.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007104488671
Sheri Kershaw
A musician, songwriter and teacher, originally from Canada, Sheri has been writing, singing and playing her own songs since she was 17. Though known for her long marriage to the English singer/songwriter and producer Nik Kershaw, and for backing him both musically and professionally, she has since returned to her own inimitable musical style and creativity. Whether this is Americana, balladic or jazz-influenced, often the Blues comes through, but Sheri always follows her creative inner world allowing her natural musical soul a place to fly and to be heard.
Texas Dave Hardwick
David Hardwick (also known as Texas Dave) is a singer/songwriter/guitarist from Fort Worth, Texas who has been writing songs and performing them, along with an eclectic mix of cover songs, at bars, open mics, human rights events, and benefit concerts for decades. His repertoire and influences include folk, classic rock, classic western, and standards from the past couple of centuries. He welcomes people to sing, dance, or hum along.
Gemma Khawaja
A singer and guitarist now based in Norfolk, Gemma plays and sings traditional songs of the British Isles, and also creates her own songs inspired by rural poets, mythology and folklore. Her arrangements of traditional songs emphasise the universal human emotions and the stories and themes found in folk traditions, as well as sensitively drawing out the richness and beauty of the old melodies.
"powerful, unpretensious and rooted" - Mike Harding.
https://gemmakhawaja.bandcamp.com/
Mary Ann McAllister
Mary Ann McAllister was singing as soon as she could talk: her first word was "downtown". She started figuring out chord diagrams with her father's guitar in grade school and sang with groups and as a solo act through high school and college. In the course of working, marrying and raising two children, she put away her own music interests and concentrated on them, supposing she was done. She's not - and got a music degree in 2018. Grateful for the opportunity to sing songs that bring back memories of youth, she developed a full schedule playing the standards she loves for senior groups - until the pandemic closed things down. At that time, she moved into a cabin on a wooded slope in farm/horse country, grateful for the virtual open mics as she happily isolates.
https://www.facebook.com/MaryAnnMcAllisterMusic/
The Larks
Accomplished duo Liz Miller and Chris Wilbraham, familiar faces at the Folk Club, draw on a wide range of influences and themes. Their thoughtful arrangements of covers and original songs, sung to mandolin and guitar accompaniment, are often enhanced by great harmonies.
http://www.thelarks.me.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/thelarkslizchris/
Bob and Diane Kordas
Diane Kordas grew up in a musical family, listening to big band swing and singing and learning harmony with her mother and siblings – country and bluegrass standards from Grand Old Opry to pop songs and more. She started writing songs as a child just for fun, and was awarded a Children’s Music Web award for her Dinosaur Stomp recording when in her 30’s. She writes songs for all ages, from folk to bluegrass, blues and Americana. Bob Kordas grew up hearing world music and inherited his grandfather’s banjo, propelling him into the folk and bluegrass genre. Bob co-arranges and co-produces Diane’s songs; his tasteful dobro playing compliments Diane’s soulful vocals and guitar. They have played in various New England bluegrass and swing bands for over 40 years, at various venues. Previously released recordings include Late Night Radio Midnight Airwaves and Bluegrass and Beyond, as well as 2 children’s music CDs. They are currently working on a recording and Diane is busy making up new songs for all to enjoy.
Kelly and Woolley
Kelly and Woolley are an acoustic duo who have been playing on the East Anglian live circuit for ten years. Both musicians have been performing since their teenage years and draw on a wealth of influences. Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Matt Kelly has been playing Cajun, bluegrass and folk music for more than 30 years; and guitarist Gary Woolley draws on decades of playing songs from the English and North American folk and singer/songwriting traditions. Their live performances take you on a journey to and fro across the Atlantic, from heartfelt English ballads to footstomping Cajun and Zydeco; they steadfastly refuse to be put into a musical category.
"Fine songwriting, excellent musicianship, delightful harmonies" - Les Ray, Cambridge 105 Radio.
https://www.kellyandwoolley.co.uk
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October 2021
Friday 1st October 2021:
Virtual Open Stage
with special guest Bob Hines
8pm (Meeting opens at 7:45pm)