Headfirst Editor's Pick
"Trans-Atlantic collab where American roots meets British folk at its finest. With every virtuoso pluck of the guitar and bow of the fiddle, Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow (Sheelanagig) pay loving homage to the 20th century songbook of bluegrass, blues, ragtime, folk, jazz manouche and music hall. Essential FFO: Dave Swarbrick, Martin Carthy, Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli."
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A gig held at Bristol Folk House on Sunday 28th September. The event starts at 20:00.
Ear Trumpet Presents: Brooks Williams & Aaron Catlow. Seated Show at Bristol Folk House, 40a Park St, BS1 5JG - All Ages (Under 18s to be accompanied by a responsible adult)
Brooks Williams & Aaron Catlow create joyous and virtuosic music that not only tugs at the heart-strings but also gets you up on your feet. AmericanaUK writes, “how such a complete and sensational sound can come from just two voices and two instruments is awe-inspiring.”
With three recordings and a robust touring schedule, the two have literally been wowing audiences at venues and festivals since their first shows in 2021. They met earlier while on tour in The Netherlands and have created a sound that is one part blues, one part jazz, one part Americana, and one part bluegrass. There is literally no one else on the scene playing this kind of music. They are a one-off. After virtually every gig they get asked to return for a future engagement.
The interplay between Williams’ guitar and Catlow’s fiddle is out-of-this-world. It possesses a spontaneity that is free and rooted all at once. Their arrangements can be measured and stately or wild and reckless. Throughout it all there’s nimble guitar picking, fiddle double-bowing and even Aaron’s whistling!
In terms of their three recordings, Ghost Owl (2021) was nominated “Instrumental Album Of The Year” by Fatea. Ready For The Times (2022), says Living Tradition, “is a cracker!” Greens And Blues (2024) is a vibrant collection of songs from Williams and Catlow as well as Gillian Welch, Molly Tuttle, Rab Noakes and Sierra Ferrell.
Aaron Catlow is half of the Bristol-based duo Hawes And Catlow, with guitarist-singer Kit Hawes. He is also the fiddler in UK festival favourite Sheelanagig. Catlow's other credits including playing with Grammy Award-nominated Yola, Mad Dog Mcrea and Afro Celt Sound System.
Cambridge UK-based, Georgia US-born, Brooks Williams has a long-standing solo career in both North America and the UK and is also known for his collaborations with Boo Hewerdine, Vera van Heeringen, , Sloan Wainright and Hans Theessink, among others. He is named one of WUMB-FM Boston's Top 100 All-Time Artists.
eartrumpet
Entry requirements: no age restrictions (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult over 21yrs, 1:1 ratio)
Brooks Williams & Aaron Catlow create joyous and virtuosic music that not only tugs at the heart-strings but also gets you up on your feet. AmericanaUK writes, “how such a complete and sensational sound can come from just two voices and two instruments is awe-inspiring.”
With three recordings and a robust touring schedule, the two have literally been wowing audiences at venues and festivals since their first shows in 2021. They met earlier while on tour in The Netherlands and have created a sound that is one part blues, one part jazz, one part Americana, and one part bluegrass. There is literally no one else on the scene playing this kind of music. They are a one-off. After virtually every gig they get asked to return for a future engagement.
The interplay between Williams’ guitar and Catlow’s fiddle is out-of-this-world. It possesses a spontaneity that is free and rooted all at once. Their arrangements can be measured and stately or wild and reckless. Throughout it all there’s nimble guitar picking, fiddle double-bowing and even Aaron’s whistling!
In terms of their three recordings, Ghost Owl (2021) was nominated “Instrumental Album Of The Year” by Fatea. Ready For The Times (2022), says Living Tradition, “is a cracker!” Greens And Blues (2024) is a vibrant collection of songs from Williams and Catlow as well as Gillian Welch, Molly Tuttle, Rab Noakes and Sierra Ferrell.
Aaron Catlow is half of the Bristol-based duo Hawes And Catlow, with guitarist-singer Kit Hawes. He is also the fiddler in UK festival favourite Sheelanagig. Catlow's other credits including playing with Grammy Award-nominated Yola, Mad Dog Mcrea and Afro Celt Sound System.
Cambridge UK-based, Georgia US-born, Brooks Williams has a long-standing solo career in both North America and the UK and is also known for his collaborations with Boo Hewerdine, Vera van Heeringen, , Sloan Wainright and Hans Theessink, among others. He is named one of WUMB-FM Boston's Top 100 All-Time Artists.
eartrumpet
Entry requirements: no age restrictions (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult over 21yrs, 1:1 ratio)
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