Raunds Festival Sunday Artists

Martin Simpson Twice winner of BBC Folk Awards for 'Musician of the Year' and 'Album of the Year' and, in 2008, for 'Best Original Track'	The Martin Simpson Trio is a coming together of some of the finest musicians and singers in the UK today. Martin himself is acknowledged as one of the world's best acoustic and slide guitar players with an unique mixture of British and American music in his repertoire. His 2012 nominations include 'Best Album', 'Best Traditional Track' and 'Best Musician'. Andy Cutting ('2008's Folk Musician of the Year') on melodeon and bassist Andy Seward are also multiple-award-winning musicians in their own right. Together they form an unstoppable combination which has taken Martin's music to a new level and is a thrilling band to see and enjoy.
The Melrose Quartet brings together two great duos ... Richard & Jess Arrowsmith & Nancy Kerr & James Fagan. Since becoming neighbours in 2010, the four have shared a lot of pie and many a late night but, best of all, they have found a rapport that will leap off the stage and surround you with intoxicating musical joy. Glorious four-part harmony singing combines with crunchy twin fiddles, majestic melodeon and powerful bouzouki in a set that will leave your heart singing and your feet tapping. “Powerful vocals, subtle accompaniments, lively tunes and a range of material that will have audiences laughing, weeping, tapping their feet and joining in the choruses”		The Melrose Quartet Nancy Kerr & James Fagan (Best Duo: 2011 BBC Folk Awards) & Richard and Jess Arrowsmith (Crucible & Hekety) “spine-tingling.....worth the plane ticket from Canada”
	Three Men on Third are a trio of highly respected professional jazz musicians from world famous bands.... Alan Haughton, of the Terry Lightfoot Band; Richard Exall, of the Big Chris Barber Band and leader of the 'Shooting Stars' and John Watson, drummer, wit and raconteur of The Pasadena Roof Orchestra. Their music is largely based around the uniquely exciting sounds of the Gene Krupa Jazz Trio with some Benny Goodman trio titles and a tune from the, more obscure, Spencer Trio thrown into the mix Stand back while their enthusiasm and expertise produces fresh swinging versions of tunes from 50 plus years ago.
Headlining our Sunday Afternoon Concert is Les Barker who writes and performs hilariously strange poems and originally comes from Manchester. His comic work has been recorded by by a huge number of celebrated performers including himself and his serious songs have featured on albums by Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick and June Tabor. Les has written 77 books which sell in large numbers at his gigs because people don't quite believe what they've just heard. BBC Radio 2 appearances have caused a larger audience to be led in ever decreasing circles by his strange mind.
	The return of Raunds Temperance Band to perform on Sunday lunch time at our festival is long-awaited. First-formed in 1886, they are possibly the biggest recent success story in the Midlands area, having joined the area's elite bands in the Championship Section in 2007.
Other Artists To Be Confirmed

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Appearing Sunday 6th May