We're getting back into the groove now with acts being booked even as I write...
Here are just a few of the delights on offer at Dart Music Festival 2016:
“There’s no substitute for good time and tone... Tender or wild, her voice never lost its warmth and her phrasing had an in-built propulsion rarely heard from others.”
Jack Massarik, London Evening Standard
Growing up in a house filled with music, from the
folk, calypso and opera enjoyed by her Jamaican born mother to the trad,
swing and be-bop from her jazz-obsessed father, vocalist Louise Parker,
aptly named after Louis Armstrong, was born to create the sort of
soulful sound that is earning her a great reputation in the jazz world.
A big hit on the festival circuit and a regular on Radio 2’s Best of Jazz, Louise Parker is a powerful live performer and a skilful interpreter of swing, blues and gospel classics. She commits to each song with warmth, spirit and passion.
Combining a potent mix of funk and gospel, Louise blends an effortless rhythmical style with a sweet warm tone and daring scatting to create a performance which truly stirs the soul.
Whether performing with her own Louise Parker Trio or with other notable jazz musicians such as BBC Jazz Award winner, saxophonist Alan Barnes, Louise Parker is not to be missed.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming Ninebarrow - a multi-award-winning folk duo, who are impressing audiences across the country with their innovative and captivating take on the folk tradition.
Described by Mike Harding as sounding ‘damn fine’ and by Seth Lakeman as ‘a fantastic duo’, Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere combine breathtaking vocal harmonies and melodies, delivering original songs that are inspired and rooted in the landscape and history of the British Isles.
As well as crafting unique and engaging original material, Ninebarrow also take a wide-range of traditional folk songs and rework them in their own, distinctive way.
We can't wait to meet them - can you..?
On the classical scene, we are delighted to welcome back Dart Festival Chorus
- the Festival's very own choir.
The Choir is dedicated to supporting the aims of the festival by encouraging people to participate in and enjoy choral music, whether as singers or as members of the audience.
The DFC members are drawn from choirs across South Devon and we love to hear them perform - just magical.
We are also looking forward to meeting for the first time the
Formed in September 2013, the Bute Clarinet Quartet is comprised of current students and graduates from the Royal Welsh College of Music.
The ensemble has performed recitals across the UK, showcasing a wide variety of clarinet quartet repertoire.
The group has participated in various competitions, with notable achievements including winning first prize in the ensembles category at the National Eisteddfod (2014) and Urdd 16-25 ensemble category (2015).
Music education is an important part of Bute Clarinet Quartet's ethos, both as an ensemble and as individuals. As well as teaching around the Cardiff area, the ensemble regularly performs outreach concerts for school groups in South Wales. They hope to continue developing their educational work, making music more accessible to all.
Enjoy these and many more performers at the next
Dart Music Festival - 13th, 14th & 15th May 2016
