Indian Raag and Taal |
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Sunday 30 November, 7pmAn evening of Indian Raag and Taal Two exceptional artists come together for the first time to bring an evening of exuberating beautiful Indian classical music. On santoor will be Europe’s finest exponent, Kiranpal Singh Deoora and on tabla will be the national award-winning (and Swindon’s own) young artist, Rohan Kapadia. Venue: Swindon Arts Centre Early Bird Friends of Swindon Arts Centre can book at a discounted rate if booking early enough. How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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The Hamsters Electric and Acoustic |
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Thursday 4 December, 8pmThe guitar, bass and drums trio The Hamsters have long been established as our premier blues-rock attraction. Primarily playing their own brand of rootsy rock, blues and Americana, they will tonight also perform a short acoustic set. ‘The Hamsters are a great Blues band’ Johnnie Walker, BBC Radio 2 Venue: Swindon Arts Centre Swindon Card: Concessions available if you show a Swindon Card. Party Bookings For parties of 10 or more get party booking rates on selected shows. We’re pretty flexible when you book a group – you don’t need to know exact numbers or pay when you book. Give our friendly box office staff a call on 01793 614837 to reserve some seats. Then nearer the time when you know the exact numbers and have collected payment we can send you your tickets. If the event is selling out or is within one week of the show we will need to confirm numbers and payments. Music Madness If you buy at least one ticket for two shows from the same category at the same time, you qualify for discounted tickets. Early Bird Friends of Swindon Arts Centre can book at a discounted rate if booking early enough. How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Swindon Recital Series |
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Saturday 6 December, 7.30pm (pre-concert talk 6.45)Swindon Recital Series Paul Turner piano This season sees Paul Turner, the founder and Artistic Director of the Swindon Recital Series, return with a truly inspiring and beautifully impressionistic solo programme, based on the widely varied piano compositions of Claude Debussy. It will feature three of his most popular sets of pieces in Suite Bergamasque (which includes Clair de Lune), Children’s Corner and Estampes, as well as Deux Arabesques, La Cathedral Engloutie and the spectacular L’Isle Joyeuse. Venue: Swindon Arts Centre How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Richard Smith |
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Richard Smith Solo Guitar concertSaturday 24 January, 8pm Richard’s ever changing repertoire will include a wide variety of music from Scott Joplin Rags, Sousa marches, Mozart, fiddle tunes, standards, Django Reinhardt gypsy jazz, Bach, Beatles tunes, pop tunes, Chopin, originals, lightning fast barn-burners to beautiful ballads. Richard Smith BiographyRichard Smith was born in Beckenham, Kent, England in 1971 and started playing guitar at age 5 under the instruction of his father. Concentrating initially on the music his father loved – the country picking of Chet Atkins and Merle Travis – young Richard digested everything he heard, learning even the most complicated of these tunes with ease, and confounding everyone with his dexterity. It seemed that not only did he possess amazing physical skill, but a photographic musical memory as well. Often, a single hearing was all it took to get a piece under his fingers. Richard first met his hero, the “Godfather” of fingerstyle guitar, Chet Atkins, when he was only eleven. Richard was invited by Chet to play with him on stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London in front of an audience of 1,000. He played Chet’s arrangement of “Whispering,” and Chet played along with him. The audience was so enraptured with Richard that Chet asked him to play another tune. Chet sat in stunned silence while Richard played Chet’s arrangement of “Little Rock Getaway” – perfectly. Chet was too amazed to even play along! By the time he reached his early twenties, both Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed began to refer to Richard Smith as their “Hero”. Richard has been a mainstay at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention in Nashville since 1991 where he has played with his Brothers Rob and Sam, his wife Julie Adams and many world renowned players including Nato Lima of los Indios Tabajaras, Tommy Emmanuel, Sax legend Boots Randolph, John Jorgenson, Stuart Duncan and many others. He has also performed with other great musicians such as Marcel Dadi, Tommy Tedesco, Thom Bresh, Joe Pass, Bireli Lagrene, Bryan Sutton, Les Paul, Mark O'Connor, Sam Bush, Martin Taylor, Jorge Morel, Suzy Bogguss, Muriel Anderson, Guy Van Duser, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Tony McManus, Buster B. Jones.......... and shared the bill with a host of others such as Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Paco Pena, Barney Kessel, David Russell, Johnny Hiland, and many others. Richard has toured around the world with his brothers Rob and Sam as the Richard Smith guitar trio, and with his wife Julie, surprising audiences everywhere with his genius, showcasing a repertoire spanning an incredible range of musical styles from country, bluegrass, mainstream jazz, modern pop and rock, to classical guitar. In 1999, Richard married the lovely and accomplished American cellist Julie Adams, and settled in the Nashville, TN area. Shortly thereafter Richard went to Winfield, KS and became the 2001 National Fingerstyle Guitar champion. Richard and Julie now tour the U.S. and the world as a duo to rave reviews. In May 2006, Richard did a 17 date UK tour with Australian guitar wizard Tommy Emmanuel and in July/August, Richard was the featured cover artist of Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine. Richard's most current work includes a DVD released by Mel Bay in 2006, and a new solo album released in July of 2007. He is constantly touring either solo, or with his wife Julie, and occasionally plays with his swing band "The Hot Club of Nashville" featuring Stuart Duncan on Fiddle, Pat Bergeson on guitar and Charlie Chadwick on bass. Here’s what a few of his fellow guitarists have to say about him: “The most amazing guy I know on the guitar.” “He can play anything I know, only better.” Chet Atkins, CGP Richard Smith owns many instruments, but his most prized is a guitar, which has written on it, “To my hero, Richard” -- signed Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins "If you like my playing..........you should hear Richard Smith!" Tommy Emmanuel Tickets £10 How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Acoustic Strawbs |
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Acoustic StrawbsThursday 5 February 8pm Constantly touring and recording for the last 40 years The Strawbs present a twice yearly tour with an acoustic line-up - Dave Cousins on guitar, dulcimer, banjo and vocals, Dave Lambert on guitar and vocals, plus 70’s band member Chas Cronk on guitar, bass and vocals. They sound better than ever. The Strawbs have enjoyed major success on both sides of the Atlantic. In the early 1970s, as well as the hit albums such as “Grave New World” their hit singles “Part of the Union” and “Lay Down” topped the charts. From the mid-1970s they spent more time in the States and Canada where their albums charted for five years as they toured, among others, with Santana, The Eagles, Peter Frampton, Blue Oyster Cult, Joe Walsh, King Crimson, and Frank Zappa. This tour promotes their brand new studio album “The Broken Hearted Bride” which contains many new and wonderful songs from the master songwriter Dave Cousins. The band will be playing these new songs along with classic Strawbs songs performed with the integrity and musicianship for which the band has been always been recognised. “Carefully selecting their repertoire from less than obvious sources they invest the rarely performed material with considerable energy and thoughtful arrangements.” Record Collector – April 2005 Tickets £12; Swindon Card £11; Party Booking £10.50; Music Madness £10. Music MadnessBuy at least one ticket for two shows from the same category at the same time and qualify for discounted tickets, eg. Mutton and Stephen Amos and save £4. Swindon CardConcessions available. Party Bookings10+ get party rates. For further information call 01793 614837 or visit www.swindon.gov.uk/partybookings How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Los Pacaminos |
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Los PacaminosFriday 6 February 8pm Los Pacaminos are a band you can absolutely count on for a great night out! While the name may mean little (as yet) to music lovers, at least one member of this highly respected group will be very familiar. The Tex-Mex outfit is led by one of the UK’s finest and best loved vocalists - Paul Young. Paul is not the only luminary in the seven piece band, however. Some of the best musicians in the business have teamed up to present the incendiary mix of Tex-Mex classics, Spanish songs and original material that make up the music of Los Pacaminos. Los Pacaminos first came together in 1995, the result of Paul’s desire to get back to basics. As he explains, “I was between record labels and writing material for a new album but I wanted to play live again. I’ve always loved the Tex-Mex sound and knew a few musicians who had a similar passion for this type of music. So I asked them to join me in forming a band. It started out just for fun, playing simply for the pleasure of it, and it just took off from there. What’s really nice is that everyone else in the band can sing too, and they do, all in their own very different styles. It’s real bar room stuff, foot stompers, not too many slow songs – a real party atmosphere!” As for the name… “Los Pacaminos? It means nothing! It’s a nonsense phrase we chose, which is close to the term “Pack’em in” meaning the audience. Apparently it is also similar to an Argentine name for street boys which is OK too!” Tex-Mex music is somewhere between the Mariachi and Norteno styles of Mexico and the country/blues sounds of South-Western America. The band empathises with Ry Cooder, Flaco Jiminez, The Texas Tornadoes, Los Lobos and Sir Douglas Quintet. (Their set includes songs like “Wooly Bully” the national anthem “La Bamba” and sometimes, if enough tequila is flowing, even “Speedy Gonzales”…) The band’s long-awaited first album is suitably titled “Los Pacaminos” and is out on What Records and distributed through ID/Universal, it features 12 great tracks guaranteed to get your pulse racing and the dancing shoes on. Full track listing reads as follows: My My My; Manana; Perdita; La Mesa; Shadows on the Rise; Raised on Margaritas; Poor Boys; Handsome Man; Tico; Do We Want The Same Things; Two Margaritas; Tierra D’Ensuenos.The band comprise some of the best known names in the business. From a variety of backgrounds they’ve covered all kinds of music but are all in accord on one - the sound that’s brought them together as Los Pacaminos. The line-up is as follows:Drew Barfield: Guitar / Vocals. From A&M signings The Keys and The Big Heat, his song-writing credits include Go West, Joe Jackson, Paul Young and Level 42.Melvyn Duffy: Pedal steel. Probably the finest young pedal steel guitar player in Britain, his credits include Jimmy Nail, Leo Sayer, and Deana Carter while his most recent tour was with Robbie Williams.Steve Greetham: Bass / Vocals. Has worked with Joan Armatrading, Paul Young, Julia Fordham and Chris De Burgh.Matt Irving: Keyboards / Accordion / Vocals. Has played with a whole host of artists including Lords Of The New Church, Paul Young, Squeeze, Chris Rea, Jools Holland, Roger Waters and Manfred Mann.Jamie Moses: Guitar / Vocals. An accomplished session player, he’s worked with The Pretenders, Mike And The Mechanics, Chaka Khan, Gary Barlow, Mica Paris, Tony Hadley, Pete Townsend, Karl Wallinger, Paul Rodgers, Curtis Stiegers and Dave Stewart…to name but a few.Mark Pinder: Drums. Several renowned cult acts claimed Mark’s services including the Vampire Bats From Lewisham and Zaine Griff before he headed off to join Paul Young and Alison Moyet.Paul Young: Guitar / Vocals. Needs little introduction…from his days with Q –Tips to his number one solo hits “Wherever I Lay My Hat” and “Come Back And Stay”, as well as “Every Time You Go Away”, his hit albums and his collaboration with top Italian star Zucchero, Paul has always been loved for his unique vocal style and great personality. Tickets: £17.50 How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Swindon Recital Series |
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Swindon Recital SeriesBen Thomson - Tuba Harvey Davies - Piano Saturday 7 February 2009 7.30pm Pre-concert talk 6.45pm Ben Thomson is the current BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of the Year, having won the prize in both 2006 and 2007. Since then, Ben has featured as soloist with such ensembles as the BBC Concert Orchestra (live on BBC Radio 2), the Black Dyke Band in Leeds Town Hall and Fodens Band in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. Ben has also given recitals in the Leeds International Concert Season and the Royal Northern College of Music International Festival of Brass. He is currently on trial for the Principal Tuba positions with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra based in the Sydney Opera House and the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra. “Ben Thomson seems to be able to capture the most diverse and dramatic colours you could expect to hear on the Tuba. His intelligent and sensitive playing focuses your attention on the music and away from the technique required to perform at the highest level.” - Ewan Easton, Hallé Orchestra, Principal Tuba Tickets: £12, concessions £10, student (15-18) £2.50. Accompanied children 14 and under - Free. How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Musical Comedy |
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Musical ComedyDavid Benson Sings Noel Cowardwith piano accompaniment by Stewart NichollsWednesday 11 February 8pm Returning to the character he played in the BBC series Goodnight Sweetheart, award-winning solo performer David Benson takes on Coward's masterful songbook. This brand new show promises Benson as singer, impersonator, host and raconteur, whilst offering new insight, dark humour and plentiful entertainment. With nine solo shows in his repertoire, Benson has a proven ability to sensitively portray some of the most famous performers of our time whilst offering new insight, dark humour and plentiful entertainment. When David was twelve years old his grandfather gave him a 78rpm record of Coward singing his comic patter song The Stately Homes of England he was immediately hooked. Now at last he is set to indulge his life-long passion for these songs with this sparkling tribute to The Master. Featured songs include Mad Dogs and Englishmen, London Pride, Mad About the Boy, I’ll See You Again, If Love Were All, and Mrs. Worthington. "David Benson has struck gold again, this time raiding Noël Coward's songbook. He becomes the Master as he sings: dapper in tuxedo, he flutters his eyelids and delivers that clipped repartee to perfection." - Daily Telegraph "Masterful comic insight. And he can sing, the swine. Miss at your peril." - The Independent "A delightfully entertaining and enlightening show. Benson once more undoubtedly proves that he has a Coward-style Talent to Amuse." - Edinburgh Guide Tickets £12; Swindon Card £11; Party Booking £10.50; Music Madness £10. Music MadnessBuy at least one ticket for two shows from the same category at the same time and qualify for discounted tickets, eg. Mutton and Stephen Amos and save £4. Swindon CardConcessions available. Party Bookings10+ get party rates. For further information call 01793 614837 or visit www.swindon.gov.uk/partybookings How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Colin Blunstone |
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Colin BlunstoneTuesday 17 February 8pm Former member of The Zombies, Colin Blunstone delights us with an evening of his solo material including songs from his critically acclaimed album, "One Year". Tickets: £16 How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Martin Harley Band |
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Martin Harley BandSaturday 7 March 8pm Martin Harley is a mesmerizing singer/ songwriter whose original sound draws on influences from old time blues and folk to world music. His original approach to playing slide guitar across his lap and his accomplished finger style playing are the cornerstone of the music along with his whiskey soaked northern breeze vocals. BiographySongs about living in cars, worn out shoes, girls lost in the carnival lights, satellite hunting in car parks and a constant sense wondering are recurring themes in Martin's music. His original approach to playing slide guitar across his lap and his accomplished finger style playing are the cornerstone of the music along with his whiskey soaked northern breeze vocals. Martin is a rare talent in this day and age. He was born in Surrey England in 1975. Disenchanted with suburban life went looking for adventure and music armed with a little money and an acoustic guitar. The result was a catalogue of travels from San Francisco to the top of the Himalyas where he broke the world record for the worlds highest ever concert at 19,000ft. He’s journeyed from India to Africa and everywhere in between. Most recently he has been recording an album where the Blues began in Mali, West Africa, which will be accompanied by a film directed by French film maker Yannick Parrat and featuring the likes of Vieux Farka Toure, Bassicou Kouyate and Loby Traore. Martin has appeared on compilations with J.J. Cale, P.J. Harvey and Eric Clapton, Paul Weller and The who. He has played with the likes of…. Bo Diddley, Omar and the Howlers, Joe Bonamassa, Lisa Mils, Dr Feelgood, Newton Faulkner, Scott Mattews, James Blunt, Martin Simpson, Chas n Dave, Happy Mondays, Magic Numbers, The Hat, The Beautiful Girls, Peter Bruntnall, Kate Walsh and many more Voted by Digital blues as one of the best solo performers of 2006 and voted best solo acoustic act by London Acoustic in 2005 this slide guitar virtuoso in not to be missed. “In the Martin Harley Band the future of British roots and blues is assured”, “Formidable guitar skills “ Guitarist Magazine Tickets £12; Swindon Card £11; Party Booking £10.50; Music Madness £10. Music MadnessBuy at least one ticket for two shows from the same category at the same time and qualify for discounted tickets, eg. Mutton and Stephen Amos and save £4. Swindon CardConcessions available. Party Bookings10+ get party rates. For further information call 01793 614837 or visit www.swindon.gov.uk/partybookings How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Ten in a Bar |
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The Magic of Ten in a BarWednesday 11 - Friday 13 March 7.30pm; Saturday 14 March 2pm and 7.30pm Ten in a Bar conjure up an evening of spells, sorcery and enchantment as they transport you into the world of Frodo and Harry Potter. Find yourselves spellbound by the captivating music of Karl Jenkins and Morton Lauridsen, and bewitched by Ten in a Bar's evocative singing of songs by Bread, Bacharach, U2 and Stevie Wonder. Tickets: Wednesday March 11 £8.50 Saturday matinee children under 14 free Available from Jane on 01793 881798 or the Arts Centre. How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Moya Brennan |
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Moya Brennan - The Voice of ClannadSunday 15 March 8pm Timeless, eternal and carried heavenwards in a soulful breath, Moya's voice reaches out to the farthest places but still touches the soul. Moya's voice has taken the Irish language and traditional music to centre stage all over the world. Tickets: £17.50 How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Gilad Atzmon with Strings |
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Gilad Atzmon with StringsTuesday 17 March 8pm Featuring the Orient House Ensemble - Gilad Atzmon (saxophones), Frank Harrison (piano), Asaf Sirkis (drums) and Yaron Stavi (double bass) and the Sigamos String Quartet. “Charlie Parker With Strings” is one of the biggest selling jazz CD's of all time. Following sell out shows in the UK in 2008, Gilad is touring the UK in 2009 to promote the new CD of this project. to be released in March 2009. This performance includes adaptations of tunes from Parker’s original 1950’s Verve recordings plus specially composed new tracks. "The performance was astonishing, one of the best things I've ever seen.....the unamplified sound was gorgeous and you heard every note" - Phil Johnson The Independent “Atzmon is an astonishing musician with a seemingly effortless ability to demolish and rebuild any old tune he chooses to play” -Time Out Tickets: £12.50 How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Swindon Music Festival |
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Swindon Music FestivalCelebrating their 100th year Thursday 19 - Saturday 28 March (excluding Sunday 22 March) Sessions at 9am, 1.30pm and 6.30pm For details of all classes and pricing, please see the Swindon Music Festival programme. www.swindonmusicfestival.co.uk or (01793) 823849. |
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Tiny Tin Lady |
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Tiny Tin Lady and support from Rose DoonanThursday 16 April 8pm Tiny Tin Lady has become one of the most talked about bands on the acoustic scene. Despite the youngest being still only 16, Tiny Tin Lady have played more than 40 festivals in four years including Glastonbury, Wickerman, Cropredy (four times!), the Bedford Rhythm Festival and many more. Tickets £10; Swindon Card £9.50; Party Booking £9; Music Madness £8.50. Music MadnessBuy at least one ticket for two shows from the same category at the same time and qualify for discounted tickets, eg. Mutton and Stephen Amos and save £4. Swindon CardConcessions available. Party Bookings10+ get party rates. For further information call 01793 614837 or visit www.swindon.gov.uk/partybookings How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Albert Lee and Hogan's Heroes |
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Albert Lee and Hogan's HeroesFriday 17 April 8pm Grammy Award Winner in 2002 and nominated yet again in 2005, Albert was amongst other world class names appearing at the Royal Albert Hall in the 'Concert for George', a tribute to George Harrison. On 28 July 2007 Albert joined Eric Clapton at The Crossroads guitar festival in Chicago. In December 2007 Albert fronted with Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings when they supported Led Zeppelin at their reunion concert in London. Voted Guitar Player Magazine’s “Best Country Guitar Picker” five times, Albert has at various times been a member of Chris Farlowe’s Thunderbirds, Country Fever, Head Hands and Feet, Eric Clapton’s band, Emmylou Harris’s Hotband and The Crickets, and toured for many years with The Everly Brothers. When not on the road with the ‘The Heroes’ he performs as a member of Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. Albert co-wrote his signature classic “Country Boy” among other great songs. Albert’s band Hogan’s Heroes comprises some of the best known and most respected Rock’n’Roll and Country musicians in Great Britain. In Albert’s absence they were well represented at the ‘Rock Island Line’ tribute concert to Lonnie Donegan at the Albert Hall in London in 2004, where they were joined on stage by Bruce Welch of the Shadows. The line-up of the group is as follows: Gerry Hogan, founder of Country Fever, a member of the 1980’s rock’n’roll band Matchbox, and the very reason for the name Hogan's Heroes (!), is universally acknowledged as the doyen of British steel players. Brian Hodgson (bass/vocals) has toured with Billy Fury, Marty Wilde and many others. In the '70's he worked with George Harrison, Eric Idle, Neil Innes and Fatso on the acclaimed BBC TV series 'Rutland Weekend Television' which featured the first appearance of 'The Rutles'. Peter Baron (drums/vocals), a stalwart of the British studio scene, was in the Elkie Brooks Band in the late seventies, followed by American based band Night which featured Chris Thompson, Robbie McIntosh and the late Nicky Hopkins. There followed a spell with English Classical Rock band Renaissance, with whom he recorded two albums and toured both Europe and the USA Elio Pace (keyboards/vocals). In 1988, singing and playing his own songs, Elio reached the final of BBC TV’s Bob Says Opportunity Knocks which led to numerous radio, television and theatre appearances with Bob Monkhouse, Shirley Bassey, Ronnie Corbett, Harry Hill, Terry Wogan, Les Dawson, Michael Barrymore, Randy Crawford, Bruce Forsyth and Rik Mayal to name a few. Whenever and wherever they appear on stage, the pedigree of the whole group and their rare blend of talent guarantees a magical treat of timeless and powerful music. Tickets: £17.50 How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Swindon Recital Series Collins and Turner |
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Swindon Recital Michael Collins clarinet Paul Turner pianoSaturday 18 April 7.30pm (pre talk concert 6.45pm) Michael Collins' dazzling virtuosity and sensitive musicianship have made him one of today's most sought-after soloists. He is indisputably one of the leading clarinettists of his generation. His exciting programme will feature Weber Grand Duo and a truly romantic sonata from Reinecke, as well as works by Finzi (5 Bagatelles), Baermann (Adagio) and Lutoslawski (Dance Preludes). At 16 Michael Collins won the woodwind prize in the first BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition, and at 22 made his American début at Carnegie Hall, New York. Since then he has performed as a soloist with many of the world's major orchestras, including the Philadelphia, NHK Symphony, Sydney Symphony, Leipzig Gewandhaus, City of Birmingham Symphony, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, BBC Symphony and Philharmonia Orchestra. Indisputably one of the leading clarinettists of his generation, Collins has formed close alliances with conductors such as Rattle, Dutoit, Sinopoli, Salonen, Slatkin and Otaka. In May 2007 he won the Royal Philharmonic Society's Instrumentalist of the Year Award, placing him amongst past recipients of the award who include Itzhak Perlman, Mitsuko Uchida, Murray Perahia and Andras Schiff. "…that most persuasive of clarinettists, Michael Collins…" - The Independent Tickets £12; Concessions £10. Students (15-18) £2.50. Accompanied children 14 and under free. How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Louisiana Red and Michael Messer |
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Louisiana Red & Michael MesserTuesday 28 April, 8pm A very special collaboration of two great musicians from contrasting backgrounds, brought together through a passion for playing blues slide guitar and many years of mutual admiration for each others' work. Louisiana Red was born in Alabama in 1932, and is one of the last great bluesmen still performing, who earned his place in the blues via the harsh realities of life and who learned his craft from the fathers and grandfathers of the blues; Son House, Elmore James, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Arthur Crudup, Robert Nighthawk, Muddy Waters. B.B King & John Lee Hooker, to name just a few! When Louisiana Red performs, the songs are often only a launch pad for expressing his immediate feelings, in the almost lost tradition of spontaneous composition that goes back to the original Delta Blues artists and even further to the West-African griots. From the old acoustic Delta sounds of Robert Johnson, all the way to the urban electric Chicago style of his mentor Muddy Waters, Louisiana Red’s great versatility shines. Louisiana Red’s albums have been called masterpieces by critics, and in 1983 he won a W.C. Handy Award as ’Best Traditional Blues Artist’. Michael Messer was born in Middlesex in 1956, and is recognised as one of the leading slide guitarists and blues innovators around the world. His playing encompasses the entire history of the blues, but is uniquely contemporary and highly individual. Being an English bluesman with an international reputation for slide guitar is a rarity in itself and Messer’s obsessive appetite for knowledge of his art is virtually unrivalled. The American magazine, ‘Spirit’ listed Michael as one of the greatest slide guitarists ever alongside Duane Allman and Ry Cooder". Tickets £12; Swindon Card £11; Party Booking £10.50; Music Madness £10. Early Bird, Music MadnessBuy at least one ticket for two shows from the same category at the same time and qualify for discounted tickets, eg. Mutton and Stephen Amos and save £4. Swindon CardConcessions available. Party Bookings10+ get party rates. For further information call 01793 614837 or visit www.swindon.gov.uk/partybookings How to BookTickets are available from the Arts Centre Box Office: The Arts Centre Tel: 01793 614837 Box Office Opening Times
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Accessibility Guideline Notes
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