Blowzabella
(c) Jez Prout
(c) Lieve Boussauw

Videos

These are just preview samples. You need a valid account and be logged in to watch the full clips.
  • country:United Kingdom
  • style(s):Folk, Traditional
  • label:Blowzabella
  • type:Band
  • gender:male, female
  • instrumentation:instrumental, vocal
  • artist posted by:diverted music

Line up

  • Andy Cutting (diatonic accordion)
  • Barn Stradling (bass guitar)
  • Dave Shepherd (violin)
  • Gregory Jolivet (hurdy-gurdy)
  • Jo Freya (clarinet, saxophones)
  • Jon Swayne (bagpipes, saxophones)
  • Paul James (bagpipes, saxophones)

Links

“If ever a band were overdue a lifetime achievement award it is Blowzabella. Not only have they written a stack of what have become standard tunes in sessions on both sides of the channel, but they have also been largely responsible for reviving English Bagpipes and hurdy-gurdy, instruments that played a foundational role in traditional music.” (Andrew Letcher **** review of the album "Dance" SONGLINES/UK)

Blowzabella is a band that produces an inimitable, driving drone-based sound played with a fabulous sense of melody, rhythmic expertise and sheer feeling. They have played everywhere from the main stage at Glastonbury Festival to the outer reaches of Brazil and West Africa.

The excellent musicians of Blowzabella compose their own music which is influenced by British and European traditional dance music. Many bands across Europe who experiment with the boundaries of folk music cite Blowzabella as a major influence.

The latest album Strange News (2013) features four newly interpreted english folk songs. Partly a return of the band to its roots in traditional dance music, their new songs also imply a modern approach to those.