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Event Type	All concerts	Club Guests
	Special Events	Singers Nights

2007

6th Sep	Shona Kipling & Damien O’Kane	£6 (Concs £5)
www.shonaanddamien.co.uk
Last year’s Box On CD confirmed the burgeoning talent of this young duo and they were duly nominated for the BBC’s 2007 Horizon Award for most promising folk act. Traditional and original music from Shona on accordion and Damien on banjo, guitar and vocals. "Two instrumentalists at the top of their game, one of whom also happens to be one of the finest singers around" says Jon Boden.

13th Sep	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

15th Sep	Yorkshire Garland Launch Day	Advert
www.ncem.co.uk
1pm − Yorkshire Folk Song Concert with John Greaves, Ray Padgett, Mick Haywood, Steve Gardham, Jim Eldon, Knaresborough Mummers , Three Score & Ten, Noble & Cocking (£6/£5) 7.30pm − The Waterson Family plus Will Noble & John Cocking (£12/£10) Tickets from the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, York. Box office 01904 658338 / www.ncem.co.uk. For more about the Yorkshire Garland project, contact Steve on gardhams@hotmail.com. The Yorkshire Garland Group gratefully acknowledges the support of Heritage Lottery Fund.

20th Sep	Cloudstreet	£7 (Concs £6)
www.cloudstreet.org
We are delighted to welcome back Australian duo Nicole Murray and John Thompson, with their great stage presence, boundless energy and huge ability. They perform a wide range of tunes and songs, notably the old ballads, using guitars, flutes, whistles and percussion. They do great vocal harmonies and scored a big hit at their Black Swan debut in 2005.

25th Sep	Mozaik	NCEM
www.ncem.co.uk
Tuesday concert at the National Centre for Early Music. The ultimate global string band, blending traditional music from Ireland, North America and central Europe, Mozaik is the brainchild of Irish legends Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny (Planxty, Patrick Street, etc), They are joined by leading American old-time singer and musician Bruce Molsky and continental players Nikola Parov and Rens van der Zalm. With two lead singers and an instrumental mix of fiddle, banjo, bouzouki, guitar, mandolin, clarinet and percussion, this should be great fun! No Support This event is promoted by NCEM Prices TBA

27th Sep	Hans Theessink	£8 (Concs £6.50)
www.theessink.com
A perennial favourite in York, this Dutch-born, Vienna-based singer/guitarist has been described as "the most creative musician working in the blues idiom in Europe" and as "one of our finest blues revivalists". A superb guitar picker with a warm baritone blues voice, he mixes originals seamlessly with country blues classics. No advance booking, so come early!

4th Oct	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

9th Oct	Martin Simpson	NCEM
www.martinsimpson.com
Tuesday concert, 7.30 at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate Martin is widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world. His versions of traditional folk and blues songs are masterpieces of storytelling and his own songwriting has produced some real gems. No one combines better the diverse elements of British, Irish and American roots music. His solo shows are intense, eclectic, spellbinding and deeply moving. Twice voted BBC Folk Awards Musician of the Year, Martin is promoting his brand new CD Prodigal Son. No Support. Tickets £13 (Concs. £11) from the NCEM Box Office 01904 658338 / Online at www.ncem.co.uk

11th Oct	Ember	£6 (Concs £5)
www.embersong.com
A Welsh-American duo who have become festival favourites recently, with stunning vocal harmonies and engagingly humorous presentation. Emily Williams writes the songs and plays fiddle and guitar, while Rebecca Sullivan plays guitar and harmonica. Contemporary folk with an edge, they have been variously compared to Be Good Tanyas, Indigo Girls and Tracy Chapman!

18th Oct	Wizz Jones	£8 (Concs £6.50)
www.wizzjones.com
This pioneer of the British acoustic guitar scene is well beyond his 65th birthday but shows no sign of retiring just yet. A musicians’ musician, Wizz has influenced generations of later players. He’s also a fine singer and a delightfully modest performer with a wide repertoire of contemporary songs, blues and original numbers. Grossly underrated, but one of our favourites.

23rd Oct	Malinky	NCEM
www.malinky.com
Tuesday concert, 7.30 at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate Malinky are Jon Bews fiddle, Steve Byrne vocals, guitar, bouzouki, cittern, Mark Dunlop vocals, flute, whistles, bodhran, Fiona Hunter vocals, cello and Ewan MacPherson guitar, mandolin. They are one of the most distinctive bands to emerge from the youthful end of the Caledonian folk scene, placing their emphasis firmly on traditional song, with three complementary lead vocalists, including Fiona Hunter admirably filling the slot vacated by Karine Polwart. Using rich and varied instrumental arrangements, they give a fresh and lively take on Scottish music. Support TBA. Tickets £12 (Concs. £10) from the NCEM Box Office 01904 658338 / Online at www.ncem.co.uk

25th Oct	Steve Turner	£6 (Concs £5)
www.steve-turner.co.uk
A mainstay of the club scene in the 70’s (with Geordie band Canny Fettle), then solo in the 80’s, Steve recently resumed limited gigging and visits the Black Swan for the first time since 1989! A grand singer, he plays concertina, cittern and mandola on a repertoire of mostly traditional songs, including some "big ballads" plus the occasional music hall and modern number.

1st Nov	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

8th Nov	Clive Gregson	£8 (Concs £6.50)
www.clivegregson.com
An acclaimed guitarist, singer and songwriter, Clive has celebrated 25 years in music, from his early group Any Trouble, through Richard Thompson’s band, the sublime Christine Collister partnership and his work with Eddi Reader, Boo Hewerdine et al. He lives in Nashville and is a member of Nanci Griffith’s band, but happily finds time to tour small UK venues like ours.

15th Nov	Cockersdale	£7 (Concs £6)
www.cockersdale.com
It is always a pleasure to listen to this marvellous acapella trio. John O’Hagan, Val Marsden and Graham Pirt are excellent singers and their years of working together really show on a varied repertoire of traditional songs, Keith Marsden classics, Pirt originals and the Kipling settings of Peter Bellamy. This project has had funding from Arts Council England

22nd Nov	Young Performers Night Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts / The Young ‘Uns	£5 (Concs £4)
www.bsfc.org.uk/guest.php
www.gilmoreroberts.co.uk www.theyounguns.co.uk A showcase for two of the winning acts at this year’s New Roots competition. The Young ’Uns from Teesside are a male trio who specialise in robustly sung acapella versions of traditional and self-penned songs, while Kat & Jamie we already know as amazingly talented young musicians on fiddle and guitar/voice respectively, with a largely original repertoire of songs and instrumentals. We also have a "guest" MC tonight, Tom Bliss, one of the competition judges.

29th Nov	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

4th Dec	Vin Garbutt	NCEM
www.vingarbutt.com
Tuesday concert, 7.30 at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate Revisiting York during his 60th birthday tour, Vin is one of the most popular artists on the folk scene. His thought-provoking self penned songs are performed with passion and integrity. He also has a wealth of traditional songs to draw upon and is a shrewd champion of other modern songwriters, such as tonight’s support act, our own Stan Graham. Vin is an accomplished guitarist and whistle player and, above all, a genuinely funny entertainer whose zany stage chat delights audiences worldwide. Tickets £12 (Concs. £10) from the NCEM Box Office 01904 658338 / Online at www.ncem.co.uk

6th Dec	Emily & Hazel Askew	£5 (Concs £4)
www.askewsisters.co.uk
These London-based sisters were New Roots winners in 2005 and have built up a solid reputation for their dynamic, exciting approach to English traditional songs and tunes − a female answer to Spiers & Boden, perhaps, with fiddle, melodeon, voice and sheer energy! "Look out England," say James Fagan and Nancy Kerr, "the sisters of stomp are heading your way".

13th Dec	John Wright	£9 (Concs £7)
www.johnwrightband.com
That man, that voice! John Wright is back on his biennial visit and early booking is advised. With his choice pick of the best in contemporary songwriting and superbly accompanied by Gregor Borland on fiddle and Pete Abbott on guitar, John is a truly sublime entertainer. Tickets available from early September, from club contacts or through the NCEM Box Office

20th Dec	Christmas Party	FREE
www.bsfc.org.uk

28th Dec	Closed

31st Dec	2008 - Happy New Year

3rd Jan	Edwina Hayes	£6 (Concs £5)
www.edwinahayes.com
It should be an auspicious start to the year with this delightful country/folk singer. Dividing her time between Nashville, London and her Yorkshire home, Edwina is an accomplished songwriter who has toured with artists such as Nanci Griffith and Jools Holland, co-written songs with Boo Hewerdine, Clive Gregson and others, and is a member of acoustic trio Hummingbird.

10th Jan	Sultans of Squeeze - John Kirkpatrick and Chris Parkinson	£8 (Concs £6.50)
www.bsfc.org.uk/guest.php
www.johnkirkpatrick.co.uk/thesultansofsqueeze, www.chrisparkinsonmusic.co.uk Here are two of England’s finest accordion and melodeon players, otherwise The Sultans of Squeeze. Individually, they have worked solo and with top artists like Steeleye Span, Brass Monkey, Richard Thompson, Ralph McTell, Steve Phillips and loads more. Together, they offer a veritable feast of squeezebox music and song from Britain and beyond.

17th Jan	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

24th Jan	Martin Carthy	£9 (Concs £7)
www.watersoncarthy.com
There are no tickets left at the NCEM Box Office. A handful of tickets are still available via the Club Organiser ONLY, 01904 632922 / rolandwalls@yahoo.co.uk

27th Jan	Martin Carthy - Extra Performance	£9 (Concs £7)
www.watersoncarthy.com
Please note that this event is now completely SOLD OUT

31st Jan	Bernard Wrigley	£7 (Concs £6)
www.bernardwrigley.com
An evening of songs, stories and silliness with The Bolton Bullfrog. It’s been 19 years since Bernard last visited the Black Swan. In that time there have been countless TV and film roles (Brassed Off, Dinner Ladies, Phoenix Nights, Emmerdale etc.) as well as stage and radio work, so we are delighted that he still finds time to return to the folk clubs where his career began.

3rd Feb	Bernard Wrigley - Extra Sunday Show	£7 (Concs £6)
www.bernardwrigley.com
An extra show starting at 8pm. See newsletter78 for more details.

7th Feb	Eddie Walker & Fraser Speirs	£7 (Concs £6)
www.eddiewalker.net
Eddie is one of our regular favourites – a great guitarist and all-round entertainer with a rich repertoire of songs – his own, plus choice modern covers and classic folk, blues, ragtime and hillbilly country numbers. This time around he is joined by Scottish harmonica genius Fraser Speirs for what promises to be a really fun night.

14th Feb	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

21st Feb	Singers & Musicians Night	FREE
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
Sadly, BRYONY have had to cancel their tour this week, including their performance in York on Thursday night. The fiancé of one of the band members, Ailsa, had a serious heart attack on Friday and is hospitalised in Glasgow. Ailsa is at his bedside and needs to organise his care when he is discharged, hopefully today. I know that the band members are disappointed and that they were particularly looking forward to revisiting the club where they first got together, but in the circumstances, they have no option but to cancel. It is a double blow as Ailsa and her partner were also scheduled to get married this week. We send them both our very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. In their place we will have an extra SINGERS & MUSICIANS NIGHT this Thursday, with Free Entry for all. At such short notice it is neither feasible nor fair to try to book an alternative guest artist. As usual we will kick off around 8.30pm. So all local performers take note – you will be more than welcome to join us on Thursday night.

28th Feb	Kirsty McGee & Mat Martin	£7 (Concs £6)
www.kirstymcgee.com
Top class original songs from two of the finest and nicest younger musicians around. Kirsty’s writing comes endorsed by such luminaries as Bob Harris (“Absolutely superb”) and Karine Polwart (“Perfect understatement - not an extraneous word or note”) and Mat is a gifted and subtle partner on guitar, mandolin and banjo. Highly recommended!

6th Mar	Emma Reid & Roger Wilson	£7 (Concs £6)
www.bsfc.org.uk/guest.php
www.myspace.com/thebezzas, www.littlebackroom.com, www.emmareid.se Alias The Bezzas, Emma (fiddle) and Roger (guitar, fiddle, vocals) present dance music, folk songs and modern numbers from Britain, Scandinavia and beyond – everything from Hank Williams to Nordic polskas. Roger has a strong track record as a soloist and with groups like The House Band, while Emma (replacing Karen Tweed, who was originally advertised for tonight) is a born fiddle player with a deep interest in both Swedish and English music.

13th Mar	Roy Bailey	£8 (Concs £6.50)
www.roybailey.net
One of folk’s best loved performers, Roy is still singing after nearly 50 years. His voice remains full of strength and compassion and his commitment to basic human values is undiminished. His sheer integrity shines through and, drawing on the rich tradition of radical songwriting, Roy never fails to create a unique atmosphere of warmth, humour, hope and reflection.

18th Mar	Jenna Reid	NCEM
www.jennareid.co.uk
This stunningly talented young Shetland fiddle player, accordionist and singer returns to NCEM with her own band, having previously performed with Dòchas in 2006. Voted “Best Up and Coming Artist” in the 2005 Scots Trad Music Awards, Jenna has firmly established herself as one of the brightest new stars in Scottish traditional music. She is joined by sister Bethany (fiddle, piano) and friends Kevin Mackenzie (guitar) and Duncan Lyall (double bass) for an exciting evening of Scottish folk music. Support from our very own Scotsman, Eddie Affleck. Tickets £12 / £10 from the NCEM

20th Mar	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

27th Mar	Debra Cowan & Pete Smith	£7 (Concs £6)
www.bsfc.org.uk/guest.php
www.debracowan.com / www.petesmithguitarist.com Debra is a Massachusetts-based singer who made a very favourable impression on her first visit three years ago, with her fine voice, easy manner and well-chosen repertoire of both modern and traditional songs from both sides of the Atlantic. This return sees her team up with virtuoso British guitar player, Pete Smith.

3rd Apr	David Moss & Masha Kaestner	£7 (Concs £6)
www.mossarts.co.uk
The former Banoffi front-man (vocals, bouzouki, violin, guitar, mandolin) is joined in Light Garden by Masha on keyboard and harmonium, on a repertoire drawn from or inspired by Celtic, European and Middle Eastern folk music, together with David’s ethereal Mongolian overtone chanting, as we heard to stirring effect at a Singers Night last year. This event has received financial support from Arts Council England.

4th Apr	The Young Coppers	NCEM
www.thecopperfamily.com
An acoustic a cappella evening with the latest generation of the famous Sussex singing family. The Coppers have been resident in the coastal town of Rottingdean for at least seven generations and have carefully preserved a rich corpus of traditional folk songs, passing them down through the decades and keeping them alive by singing them together. Featuring the children of John and Jill Copper, The Young Coppers continue that proud tradition, using the family song book compiled by their celebrated grandfather Bob Copper and singing with those special harmonies that only close families can create. Support from Two Black Sheep & A Stallion Tickets £12 / £10 from the NCEM

10th Apr	Anne Lister	£6 (Concs £5)
www.annelister.com
Anne used to be a regular guest here in the 1990s but it is now all of nine years since we enjoyed her distinctive songs and engaging performance style. Her writing often makes a contemporary point by drawing on legends, myths and folk tales (as in her best known and most widely covered song Icarus) and there is no-one else quite like her. It’s great to have her back!

17th Apr	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

21st Apr	Lau	NCEM
www.lau-music.com
Lau is the formidable union of three of the most innovative exponents of traditional music in modern Scotland: Kris Drever (guitar, vocal, former BBC Horizon award winner), Martin Green (accordion, a long-term musical associate of Eliza Carthy) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle, also a member of Blazin’ Fiddles). In little over a year Lau have built up a storming reputation for their “must-see” live shows, while their debut record Lightweights and Gentlemen was one of the “albums of the year” in 2007. Support from innovative local duo Pillowfish Tickets £14 / £12 from the NCEM

24th Apr	Young Performers Night	£6 (Concs £5)
www.bsfc.org.uk/guest.php
FRANANA plus MIDNIGHT SPECIAL www.myspace.com/frananaband, www.midnight-special.co.uk A Young Performers showcase event. Franana are students on the Newcastle University folk music course: Fran Smith is a vocalist and songwriter of real potential, while Chris Meredith (guitar, fiddle) and Amy Thatcher (accordion) provide inspired arrangements. Yorkshire-based Midnight Special mix traditional folk with elements of jazz, swing and blues. Amy Atkinson fronts ably on vocals and fiddle, Sam Leahy plays guitar and York student Tim Yates is on string bass.

1st May	Gypsy Reel	£7 (Concs £6)
www.gypsyreel.com
Following a classy performance in Summer 2006, here is a welcome return by this Anglo-American band playing high energy music rooted in the Celtic tradition but with worldwide influences. Guitarist Jon Scaife and fiddler Graham Parker join banjo picker Claudine Langille and mandolinist and bilingual singer (English and Spanish) Camille Parker.

6th May	Tanglefoot	NCEM
www.tanglefootmusic.com
High-energy entertainment from this hugely popular Canadian band, with their powerful vocals, great instrumental ability, tradition-based songs and delightfully manic, good-natured stage act. Newest member Sandra Swannell adds a female voice to the mix, as well as some very tasty fiddle, Al Parrish (bass) and Steve Ritchie (guitar) provide the musical bedrock and Bryan Weirmier (keyboard) and Terry Young (mandolin, guitar, banjo) fill out the rich and often rollicking arrangements. Support from singer/songwriter David Swann Tickets £12 / £10 from the NCEM

8th May	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

15th May	Eric Andersen	£9 (Concs £8)
www.ericandersen.com
Here is a real coup! Eric was a mainstay of the 60s Greenwich Village folk boom and has been writing and recording great songs ever since. Over the decades, he has collaborated with a raft of more famous contemporaries, from Phil Ochs and Joni Mitchell to Lou Reed and The Band’s Rick Danko, yet only now comes his first full scale UK tour. Check out this living legend. Tickets available from club contacts or through the NCEM Box Office

22nd May	Dana & Susan Robinson	£7 (Concs £6)
www.robinsongs.com
It is over three years since we last enjoyed these favourite American visitors, combining traditional US folk songs with original numbers deeply rooted in that same rich heritage. Dana plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin and banjo and Susan is on banjo and guitar, with excellent singing from both of them. Stirring, heart-warming stuff!

29th May	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

31st May	City of York Folk Weekend	Free
www.bsfc.org.uk/folkday.php
Free Festival of Folk & Acoustic Music at the Black Swan Inn Marquee concert stage / Rolling folk club / Singarounds Music sessions / Poems & pints / Morris dancing / and more Barbecue / Real ales Noon until midnight

1st Jun	City of York Folk Weekend	Free
www.bsfc.org.uk/folkday.php
Free Festival of Folk & Acoustic Music at the Black Swan Inn Marquee concert stage / Rolling folk club / Singarounds Music sessions / Poems & pints / Morris dancing / and more Barbecue / Real ales Noon until 10pm

5th Jun	Jez Lowe	£8 (Concs £6.50)
www.jezlowe.com
One of Britain’s most popular and perceptive folk singers. Jez’s songs are rooted in his native North East England but have universal appeal. They featured prominently in the recent Radio Ballads and have been covered by many other artists. An engagingly direct and entertaining performer on stage. £8 in advance (Concs. £6.50) from the NCEM Box Office 01904 658338, online at www.ncem.co.uk

12th Jun	Jeff Warner	£6 (Concs. £5)
www.jeffwarner.com
The singing of this noted American traditionalist (son of pioneering folk song collector parents) connects us with the lives and music of ordinary 19th century North Americans: New England whalers, Outer Banks fishermen, Adirondack lumberjacks and the like. He accompanies the songs on concertina, banjo or guitar and has honed his craft across the USA and on frequent UK tours, though he last visited the Black Swan way back in 1993!

19th Jun	North Riding Double Bill – Wendy Arrowsmith PLUS Mary Vipond & Andy Whittaker	£6 (Concs £5)
www.blackswanfolkclub.org.uk/guest.php
The talented Stokesley-based duo Mary and Andy have made enjoyable contributions to several recent Singers Nights and thoroughly merit this extended guest spot, while Wendy has created quite a buzz with her songwriting and singing since settling near Northallerton a few years ago. With her husband she recently established the lively Kirkby Fleetham Folk Club.

26th Jun	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

3rd Jul	Miriam Backhouse	£6 (Concs £5)
www.myspace.com/miriambackhouse
This outstanding vocalist was a favourite performer around the folk clubs of the 1970s, but was then lost to the scene after moving to South Africa. Happily, she has now begun to visit Britain once again, delighting her old fans and winning many new admirers with her beautiful versions of British, American and African folk songs.

10th Jul	Wongawilli (Australian Folk Band)	£7 (Concs £6)
www.wongawillicolonialdance.org.au
Here comes a real treat! This five piece family band perform traditional Australian folk songs and dance tunes with a line-up of fiddle, piano, accordion, lagerphone and percussion (the latter played by eleven-year old Sam De Santi!). They are on a very brief UK trip after festivals in mainland Europe.

17th Jul	Simon Hopper	£6 (Concs £5)
www.simonhopper.co.uk
Amongst the proliferation of singer/songwriter CDs which come our way, Simon’s A Land for the Many stood out. A Feature Spot last summer was very well received and so he now returns for a full night, showcasing some fine, melodic songs with perceptive and thoughtful lyrics and joined by Andee Price on bass, mandolin, bouzouki and backing vocals.

24th Jul	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

31st Jul	Ruth Hazleton & Kate Burke	£7 (Concs £6)
www.kateandruth.com
More from Australia, with two of our all-time favourite singers making a very welcome return visit. Their singing is magnificent, particularly when combining voices in thrilling harmony, and they are skilled musicians on guitars, bouzouki and fiddle. British, Irish, American and Australian songs all feature and the total effect is first class.

7th Aug	Roger Davies	£6 (Concs £5)
www.rogerdaviesmusic.com
There’s a real buzz about this young “Huddersfield and proud of it” songwriter. “The best I’ve seen in twenty years. If I had a torch I’d throw it to him” says no less a stern critic than Harvey Andrews. We’ve already enjoyed Roger’s finely-crafted and often witty songs at Singers Nights and in a Young Performer showcase; now we can enjoy a whole evening of them!

14th Aug	Bram Taylor	£6 (Concs £5)
www.bramtaylor.com
Alternate summers in York would not be complete without a visit by Bram, one of our firmest favourites. He is a thoroughly entertaining performer with a strong, clear and tuneful voice and a wide repertoire of both modern and traditional songs, laced together with a grand line in Lancashire patter. How better to spend a relaxed summer evening?

21st Aug	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

28th Aug	Bryony	£6 (Concs £5)
www.myspace.com/bryonysofar
A rescheduled date for this excellent band after they had to pull out of their February booking. Founded in York in 1981 by Alison Younger, Ailsa Mackenzie and Cathy Barclay, Bryony had a very successful club and festival career and were often seen at the Black Swan, where Alison was resident MC. They parted in 1986 but have recently reformed. Their trademark vocals are as sweet as ever, accompanied by Appalachian and hammered dulcimers, harp and recorders.

4th Sep	Tom Bliss	£6 (Concs £5)
www.tombliss.co.uk
A solo show by this great Leeds-based multi-instrumentalist, singer and storyteller-in-song. Tom’s self-penned material is inspired by real people, events and places (particularly his beloved Channel Islands), and fits smoothly alongside the traditional songs and tunes in his repertoire. This project has received funding from Arts Council England

11th Sep	Bella Hardy with Chris Sherburn	£8 (Concs £6.50)
www.bellahardy.com
Things have really taken off for this former member of The Pack and Ola (and graduate of York St John). Her debut CD Night Visiting met with huge critical success, there were several Folk Award nominations, and with her singing and fiddling ably accompanied by concertina ace Chris Sherburn (of Last Night’s Fun), her live shows are magic.

18th Sep	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

25th Sep	The Churchfitters	£7 (Concs £6)
www.churchfitters.com
This Brittany-based band plays energetic Celtic style folk rock using a dozen or so different acoustic instruments (fiddle, guitar, double bass, flute, banjo, dulcimer, mandolin, saxophone...) with three strong lead voices. They comprise expatriate Londoners Chris and Rosie Short (“the Annie Lennox of folk”), Belfast-raised Topher Loudon and native Breton Boris Lebret.

2nd Oct	Dan McKinnon	£6 (Concs £5)
www.danmckinnon.ca
We were much impressed by this large-voiced and warm-hearted Nova Scotian on his first visit in 2006. He follows the Canadian tradition of excellently written and strongly sung original songs about real people past and present (think Stan Rogers through James Keelaghan to Tanglefoot) while also slipping in some choice traditional material. Recommended!

9th Oct	Katy Moffatt	£9 (Concs £7)
members.aol.com/klmoffatt
A speedy return visit for this American country/roots songwriter following her sensational house-full performance last May, one of our most successful and enjoyable evenings of 2007.

16th Oct	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.blackswanfolkclub.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

23rd Oct	Steve Suffet & Anne Price	£6 (Concs £5)
www.blackswanfolkclub.org.uk/guest.php
suffet.home.att.net - www.anneprice.com A fraternal visit to “old” York by long-time stalwarts of the New York folk scene, performing as soloists and in duo. Both artists sing a mix of traditional ballads, work songs, sea songs, cowboy songs, Woody Guthrie numbers and other modern covers, including some self-penned numbers and accompanied on guitar or (Anne) Appalachian dulcimer. Let’s make them thoroughly welcome.

30th Oct	David Francey with Craig Werth	£8 (Concs £6.50)
www.davidfrancey.com
We cannot speak too highly of this Scots Canadian singer after his superb debut visit in 2004. His songs are finely-crafted poetic gems, short but subtle and perceptive observations on ordinary people, places and events. No wonder he has now won three JUNOs, Canada’s premier music awards. He is accompanied this time by ace guitarist Craig Werth.

6th Nov	Chris Wood	£9 (Concs £7)
www.englishacousticcollective.org.uk/cw
Long famed as a guitarist and fiddle player, Chris has now emerged as a leading English singer and songwriter with the acclaimed albums The Lark Descending and Trespasser. An uncompromising writer whose words reveal his love for the un-official history of England and her people, Chris has a sure ear for melody and a real gift for storytelling. This is his long-awaited debut at our club

13th Nov	Tom McConville & David Newey	£7 (Concs £6)
www.tommcconville.co.uk
In various guises, Tom has been delighting Black Swan audiences almost since Adam was a lad. He’s a terrific singer and violinist (“one of the greatest I've ever heard, by far the biggest influence in my music” says Seth Lakeman). Talented young guitarist and singer David Newey joins him tonight (not Gerry Kaley as previously advertised) for another session of McConville magic

20th Nov	Singers & Musicians Night	£2.50 (Concs £1.50, Perf £1)
www.bsfc.org.uk/singers.php
All acoustic performers are made welcome, and listeners besides, at our popular Open House session. The more the merrier, so do come along

27th Nov	New Roots - Young Performers Double Bill JiggaWatt plus Niamh Boadle	£6 (Concs £5)
www.bsfc.org.uk/guest.php
www.jiggawatt.co.uk> - www.niamh.boadle.co.uk This Double Bill showcases finalists from the 2008 New Roots competition, with special guest MC Pete Coe, who was one of the judges. JiggaWatt are a four piece band aged from 15 to 17, playing English, Irish and American music on fiddle, guitar, bass and percussion, while 14-year old Niamh Boadle is a singer and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, fiddle, whistle, bodhran) with a wide repertoire.

3rd Oct	Kerr Fagan Harbron PLUS Methera	NCEM
www.blackswanfolkclub.org.uk/ncem.php
Friday Double Bill Concert, 7.30 at the National Centre for Early Music Our first NCEM concert of the autumn is a Double Header with the trio of Nancy Kerr, James Fagan and Robert Harbron, plus folk string quartet Methera. Deeply rooted traditional music alongside some of the best modern work inspired by that folk heritage. Favourite duo Nancy Kerr and James Fagan join forces with virtuoso concertina player Rob Harbron to create a fresh group sound, drawing on English, Irish, Australian and American traditions. Meanwhile Methera (Lucy Deakin, John Dipper, Emma Reid, Miranda Rutter) use the rich textures of the string quartet to explore English folk tunes, creating music which respects tradition but breaks convention. No Support Tickets £12 (Concs £10) www.kerrfaganharbron.co.uk - www.methera.co.uk

20th Oct	Rachel Unthank & The Winterset	NCEM
www.rachelunthank.com
A welcome return to NCEM for this most distinctive of modern folk groups. Latest CD The Bairns had fulsome reviews and numerous “best of the year” listings, took the BBC Folk Awards Horizon trophy and is now nominated for the Nationwide Mercury Prize. Proud of their Northumbrian roots, Rachel and Becky sing in lilting Geordie accents, accompanied by Niopha on fiddle and Stef (a York University PhD student) on grand piano. They use elements of blues, jazz, burlesque, classical and leftfield contemporary music to make folk which is peerless, fearless and utterly unique. Support TBA Tickets £13 (Concs £11)

15th Nov	Tim O’Brien	NCEM
www.timobrien.net
The York debut of one of America’s foremost roots musicians and singers, also an accomplished song-writer and an outstanding live performer. First coming to prominence with bluegrass band Hot Rize, Tim’s subsequent solo career has explored America’s folk and country heritage, combining traditional songs and classic covers with his own compositions. He won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in 2006, following it this year with an acclaimed collection of new songs, Chameleon. Support TBA Tickets £14 (Concs £12)

25th Nov	Emily Smith	NCEM
www.emilysmith.org
Scotland is a hotbed for female singers these days. Emily Smith is coming up fast in that league, as we witnessed with her impressive NCEM debut in 2005. The recently released, glowingly reviewed third CD, Too Long Away, again showcases her exquisite voice and blends assured self-penned songs with an inspired selection of traditional ballads and Burns covers. A gifted pianist and accordionist, she is joined by Jamie McClennan on fiddle, Ross Milligan on guitar and Kevin McGuire on bass Support TBA Tickets £12 (Concs £10)

1st Jan