Keith Potger AO, who is the founding member of the internationally famous group The Seekers returns to Tasmania from tme to time to perform “Melodies & Memories”. The Melodies & Memories concerts appeal to a wide audience age range. Keith says he is passionate about bringing music and humour to people of all ages, some who want to enjoy great music from their past and hear tales of times they knew so well. Of course, the Melodies & Memories concerts are for everyone, not just original Seekers fans. Keith’s performance crosses the boundaries of age and has been enjoyed by audiences round Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

The multiple award-winning group from Québec presents high-energy traditional French-language songs with strong vocals, acoustic and electric instruments and programming. Led by Mélisande and her husband Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand (Genticorum), the group continues to offer a fresh proposal to the folk music scene with its second albumLe Millisime (Borealis Records).

George Mann hails from New York and has been producing labor and protest music for more than 20 years. He has worked with such folk music legends as Utah Phillips, Pete Seeger and Tom Paxton and produced national tours in honour of the Almanac Singers (2013) and Joe Hill (2015). George brings his experience as a union organizer and educator to his concerts - stories and songs about real events and the struggle for a better life. He has just released "For the Road and the Sky," his newest CD, and "Until You Come Home: Songs to Heal the Wounds of War," a compilation CD of songs about the effects of war on those who serve.

SPECIAL: Seniors Week shows singing the songs you remember from Elvis, Simon and Garfunkle, Peter Paul and Mary and ... 

rouvers sprang out of the Tasmanian Grassroots Union Choir when Elaine Chevalier and Roger Joseph teamed up with Peter Hicks to present a short set for the Craic at the New Sydney Hotel in Hobart.

Peter Hicks, former director of the Cygnet Festival has fingers in many musical pies; from blues to Irish country and Americana. Now he drifts into the realm of Peter Paul and Mary, arranging wonderful harmonies for Elaine and Roger.
Peter's songs include the ode to Ned Kelly 'The Glenrowan Song' and a well directed jibe at the banks, 'Them Dirty Robbing Banks'.
Elaine Chevalier hovered on the fringe of music for years until she was trapped into performing with Peter and Roger. Elaine's voice tugs at the heartstrings as she delivers Lost Child, an original song by local writer Kelvin Carter.
Roger Joseph morphed into performing from the Union Choir. Previously an administrator and committed audience member, Roger delights in delivering Richard Thompson's 'Beeswing' and Jimmy Nails 'Big River'.
A growing number of songs are coming from the monthly songwriters sessions (at The Crescent Hotel), second Tuesday of each month) and separately from the pen of Geoff Francis.
The Tasmanian music scene is strong and Trouvers are proud to be a part.

Trouvers know that good songs need to be remembered. They understand that for every songwriter there needs to be a thousand interpreters. Trouvers sing songs that may be dormant in your heart or songs you may have never heard that you will want to remember.
Chris Spencer, Trad & Now March 2016, wrote “One of these [Tasmanian groups] was The Trouvers, a trio which consisted of Elaine Chevalier-Carter, Roger Joseph and Peter Hicks. They played a mixture of older contemporary songs rather than traditional songs.”
Trouvers also sing original songs that test your social justice credentials and love songs to tear at your heartstrings.

https://www.facebook.com/TrouversTas/

Hammet, Cygnet 2012 Hammett by Trouvers

https://soundcloud.com/roger-joseph-2/growing-old

https://soundcloud.com/roger-joseph-2/cookie-and-lila

https://soundcloud.com/roger-joseph-2/captain-swing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiaZTf3q0OU Reservoir Song (2017 Fleurieu Folk Festival) written by Rory Campbell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28huD1-rCz8 Methinna (2017 Fleurieu Folk Festival) written by Shaun Pearce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_ZAVZJTJwk Some People Cry (2017 National Folk Festival, Stockmans Camp)

Guitarist, educator, and historian Stefan Grossman was a student of acoustic blues and gospel singer/guitarist Rev. Gary Davis. Beginning when he was 15, Grossman studied with Rev. Davis on weekends, spending eight to ten hours at his house in Harlem, absorbing all he could. After studying with Rev. Davis for eight years he learned and studied with other country blues guitarists: Mississippi John Hurt, Son House, Skip James, Mance Lipscomb, and Fred McDowell. Other early influences for Grossman included Elizabeth Cotten, Sam McGee, Willie Brown, and Charley Patton.

In the early '60s, Grossman formed the Even Dozen Jug Band and worked with the political rock band the Fugs before moving to Great Britain. In 1970, he co-founded Kicking Mule Records with ED Denson, a label that showcased acoustic blues and folk guitar styles. From 1967 to 1987, Grossman lived in Great Britain and Italy, where he carved a reputation on the European blues and folk festival circuit, playing both solo and with British guitarist John Renbourn.

Grossman's solo discography goes all the way back to 1966, when he recorded How to Play Blues Guitar for Elektra Records; his sessionography also includes recordings with the Even Dozen Jug Band (which also included such future luminaries as John Sebastian, Maria Muldaur, and David Grisman) as well as albums by Paul Simon, John Fahey and Charlie Musselwhite. In the mid 1980s, Grossman began a long relationship with Shanachie Records of Newton, NJ, recording extensively and issuing such albums as Shining Shadows (1988), Guitar Landscapes (1990), Love, Devils & the Blues (1992), Northern Skies, Southern Blues (1997), and Shake That Thing (1998) for the label. While based in northwest New Jersey, Grossman concentrated his efforts on running his Guitar Workshop and Vestapol video business, releasing videos by guitarists ranging from Merle Travis and Chet Atkins to Dave Van Ronk and Brownie McGhee to Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass to John Lee Hooker and Howlin’ Wolf to John Renbourn and Muddy Waters.

During the 2000s, Grossman could be found recording in duo and trio settings

( Bermuda Triangle Exit with Tokio Uchida and Played a Little Fiddle with Danny Kalb and Steve Katz) and releasing the results on his Guitar Workshop label -- which also issued albums by the likes of Rev. Gary Davis, Davy Graham, Duck Baker, Martin Taylor, Happy Traum, and David Laibman as well as archival recordings and a number of various-artist collections. In 2006 he began touring once again, making appearances in the U.S., England, Norway, Italy, France, Japan and New Zealand. Stefan Grossman remains one of the world's foremost authorities on acoustic blues guitar.

The tenth is set for 29 January 2020. We had a great night in 2019 and raised $350.
All funds raised go to The Alistair Hulett Memorial Fund Alistair Hulett Memorial Fund
Alistair Hulett was a singer, songwriter, international socialist and revolutionary. He was a kind, gentle man who was committed to fighting for a better world, a world based on the principles of justice, equality, love and respect for all of humanity. The world was a better place for knowing him and is a sadder place for his loss. He left a great legacy in his music that will continue to bring inspiration to many who, like him, believe a better world was possible.

2020: Penelope Swales (Vic), Trouvers, Peter Hicks, David Beniuk, Tony Eardley, Mike and Jill, Grassroots Union Choir

Second Tuesday of each month 7.30pm (but not January)
The Hobart Songwriters Circle is a casual, supportive group who meet each month to present a song to their peers for feedback and discussion. The theme is a guide only and all songwriters are welcome.
A group for people who write or just appreciate original Tasmanian music.
Venue: The Hope and Anchor Hotel, Macquarie Street, Hobart.
Join us for dinner at 6.30pm
For songwriters old and new, poets and all. Bring your new song or reprise an old song, write to the theme of the month or come to absorb.

Tennyson King is a international touring act from Canada having performed with notable Canadian acts such as Whitehorse, Sloan, Elliot Broode, and Blackie and The Rodeo Kings. He has been featured on national media platforms such as CP24, CTV, CHCH, and Rogers TV. The debut EP has been on high rotation on college, community and CBC radio stations and has charted top 10 on many regions in Canada. In 2016 he performed at festivals such as Canadian Music Week, Winter Folk Festival, Taste of Danforth, China Town Festival, was nominated for the 2016 Emerging Music Award at the Mississauga Arts Council as well as signing a distribution deal with MusicDishChina for all of China. In 2017 Tennyson King embarked on his first Australian Tour which spanned for four months – highlights include performances at Yackandandah Folk Festival, MONA and Burke & Wills Festival and performances with Paul Dempsey, Paul Woseen (Screaming Jets), Yirrmal, and Brad Marr (MASSIVE). Currently on his second Australian tour that spans for 4 months with over 50 shows. His style of rock and roll is infused with earthy roots and blues while subtly laced in psychedelic ear candy. It’s a raw, gritty, and organic sound that makes the soul feel wild and the heart comforted.

Tennyson King - Coast [Official Music Video] 

www.tennysonking.com

www.facebook.com/tennysonkingmusic

www.instagram.com/tennysonking

www.youtube.com/tennysonking

www.twitter.com/tennysonking

Clarinetist Jože Kotar and pianist Luca Ferrini have been playing together for more than ten years. Their repertoire ranges from the Classical period to the contemporaries but they prefer to perform modern and contemporary music, written in "traditional" style, jazz and live electronics. In duo as well in other chamber ensembles, mainly Slovenian (MD7 contemporary Music Ensemble, KOS DSS – Soloists Chamber Orchestra of the Slovenian Society of Composers, Neofonia Ensemble, and others) they premiered more than hundred new works. In their concerts they always try to mix different genres and, when possible, to propose new works. During all these years a number of composers has already written for them, other have accepted their proposal to write new pieces. In this way, for the next seasons they are going to prepare a programme entitled "Music from the Islands", dedicated to music for clarinet and piano written by composers who live, work or come from different islands around the world. For the occasion, among the other pieces they are going to premiere new works, written by Tasmanian composers. The programme is quite various and suitable for every kind of audience. 

Jože Kotar became principal clarinettist of the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra in 2007 after serving in that role at the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra for 12 years. He is also a tenured professor at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana. As a soloist, chamber musician and member of various chamber ensembles, Kotar performs in Slovenia and abroad (Europe, USA, South America...), leads seminars for the clarinet and chamber music (Croatia, Serbia, Italy, Hungary, Belgium, Ireland, Israel, Brazil), and participates in the jury of international competitions. Kotar is a member, co-founder and artistic director of the Slovenian Clarinet Orchestra and a member of the Ariart Wind Quintet and the MD7 Contemporary Music Ensemble. Since 2007 he is a conductor and artistic director at the Trbovlje Workers Band.

Luca Ferrini, from Trieste, Italy, studied piano, harpsichord, organ and organ composition and graduated with distinction from the music conservatories in Trieste and Udine. Over the last twenty years he has been playing concerts on all three instruments in Europe, Asia and Central America. He works with renowned musicians and conductors as a soloist, chamber musician and with orchestras. Member of numerous ensembles of ancient and contemporary music. His repertoire is quite large and ranges from the Renaissance to contemporaries. More than hundreds premieres. In addition to his 20 CDs, he has made numerous radio recordings with a variety of European broadcasting companies. He currently works in Slovenia as professor of piano and harpsichord at the Koper Art Gymnasium and as piano accompanist at the Ljubljana Academy of Music. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6WkiASKs2I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsXTz3j_pbg

Back to the 1780's! If it sounded good back then, why not today?

Almost 300 years ago, some musicians from around Antwerp, Brussels, Gent and Leuven decided to write down their favourite music. As time passed, however, the paper turned yellow, the ink began to fade, and the music itself was left to gather dust along with the faded manuscripts …

That is, until now! With their finely textured arrangements WÖR injects new energy into 18th-century tunes from the Flanders region of Belgium. Their music shines an inventive spotlight, with a modern twist, on tunes from these manuscripts.
https://www.wearewor.com/

This explosive Quebec City four piece band reshape little-known musical treasures in an energetic yet subtle way, blending fervour and a sense of humour only equalled by their talent as multi-instrumentalists with a knack for musical arrangements.
Les Chauffeurs a pieds draw in the audience with their infectious passion, rhythm, well crafted arrangements and sense of humour. They feature French Canadian "swing" on the fiddle, tongue tricks on the recorder, four part vocal harmonies and traditional foot percussion.
Also perfect for energetic ceilidh - quebecois jigs or reels, often crooked;

Three young musicians with varied musical backgrounds united their creative and artistic forces to form the group É.T.É. Its members, Élisabeth Moquin, Thierry Clouette and Élisabeth Giroux, offer a very dynamic and modern vision of Québec traditional music.
Their musical arrangements are shaded with influences of folk, progressive rock and classical music interpreted on fiddle, Irish bouzouki and cello. Élisabeth Moquin also adds a special colour to the group’s appeal through her masterful step dancing.
Their musical arrangements are shaded with influences of folk, progressive rock and classical music interpreted on fiddle, Irish bouzouki and cello. Élisabeth Moquin also adds a special colour to the group’s appeal through her masterful step dancing.

É.T.É’s first album entitled "Le boire des minuits" was released in 2017. Since then, the group has received an award in the category Émergence of the Grands prix Desjardins de la culture de Lanaudière 2017 for new young groups in 2017. They also received a prize voted by the public during the Cabaret festif 2018. The group continues its momentum by touring in various parts of Québec, the Maritimes and in western Canada.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IokaDvcIkYc

Bob Fox, UK's greatest folk singer. Quintessential Songman in the production of War Horse.

BOB has long been a favourite on the live circuit both as a solo artist and in his many highly successful collaborations which include a duo with Billy Mitchell (Lindisfarne), the BBC New Radio Ballads series, The Pitmen Poets (with Jez Lowe) and most recently BOB was invited by John Tams to play the role of the folksinger/storyteller SONGMAN in The English National Theatre’s multi-award winning production of WARHORSE both in London’s West End 2011-2013, in the highly acclaimed and record breaking UK, Ireland and South Africa touring version 2013-2015 and the 10th Anniversary UK tour 2017-2019.

Don’t miss a chance to experience his warm, rich voice, virtuoso guitar style and newly acquired melodeon playing skill. Expect to hear songs of love, joy, work and humour as he performs material from WarHorse, newly written songs from the New Radio Ballad series and old favourites from his many recordings.

ALASKA STRING BAND … Best of Americana …

This soulful group is polished. Signature riveting harmonies are totally off the charts. Groove along while this captivating seven member band offers up American roots favorites … swing, jazz, rock, original, pop, folk and Bluegrass. this family often swap symphonic tools throughout a performance calling into action an impressive mix of acoustic guitar, violin-fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bass, percussion, pennywhistle and tuba

Hailing from Alaska's capital city of Juneau, this highly celebrated Alaskan family band is the subject of much curiosity and inspiration to millions around the globe. Throughout Alaska whether by land, air or sea, this crew of sprightly troubadours entertains visitors and locals alike … aboard cruise ships, in theaters, at world class fishing lodges and amidst the alpine slopes of spectacular mountain top destinations.

Gifted multi-instrumentalists indeed, this family often swap symphonic tools throughout a performance calling into action an impressive mix of acoustic guitar, violin-fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bass, percussion, pennywhistle and tuba.

Delightful, refreshing and simply extraordinary is the … ALASKA STRING BAND …

Ross  Sermons will delight and enliven any festival stage or remote corner with a lifetime's musical experience in the tradition  of Folk, Blues, Rock and Americana. His vast, multi-genre repertoire features accomplished musicianship and a performance that’s packed with generosity, enthusiasm and charm.

https://www.trybooking.com/722472