Don’t miss Gigspanner Big Band and Raynor Winn‘s live dates this month (see below) for their Saltlines project. They have a change of lineup with the wonderful Jackie Oates stepping in to cover for Hannah Martin whilst she takes maternity leave.
There is an almost theatrical flourish, an epic feel to it, which is perfectly suited to the subject matter and to performance in a live setting. Saltlines is a massive, ambitious and highly unusual project; the fact that it feels perfectly judged at every moment is down to the sheer excellence of Gigspanner Big Band’s musicianship and the touching, clear-eyed nature of everything Winn writes or speaks. It is a constant delight.
Thomas Blake, Folk Radio
Jackie’s looking forward to joing them and tells us:
“I was delighted to be asked by Hannah, to step in for her during the July ‘Saltlines’ shows. I have been following the development of the show since its initial creation, through little insights whilst on the road with John Spiers.
“Having lived in Devon for a decade before moving to Oxfordshire, the traditions of the South West, and in particular Cornish songs and tunes, are something that I feel very passionate about. It is a joy, to have the chance to play these tunes and songs with such a brilliant lineup and to perform as part of a larger ensemble once again. I am also excited about embracing the improvisatory aspects of the Gigspanner Big Band, which is something I’ve not experienced in a performance setting.
“I am a fan of Raynor Winn and came across her writing in an entirely separate context. Meeting her and Moth for the first time was wonderful and moving”
Gigspanner Big Band & Raynor Winn Dates
July 21st: King’s Lynn Festival/Corn Exchange Theatre
July 22nd: Court Theatre, Tring
July 23rd: Kenton Theatre/Henley-on-Thames
July 25th: Bacon Theatre/Cheltenham.
July 26th: Petworth Festival
July 27th: Christ Church/Bath.
Aug 08th: Sidmouth Folk Week
Gigspanner Big Band Dates, with Hannah Martin:
June 30th: St George’s Church/Beckenham/Greater London
July 1st: Queen’s Hall Theatre/Cranbrook/Kent.
July 5th Watermark Arts Centre/Ivybridge
July 8th: New Forest Folk Festival.
July 9th: Spring Arts Centre/Havant
August 25th: Cornwall Folk Festival.
August 26th: Roses Theatre/Tewkesbury
August 27th: Shrewsbury Folk Festival.