There are plenty black and Asian people in our area of the UK, John (Salford, Lancs) but we have only ever had 1 black person to come and see the club, one who came regularly as a floor singer but no longer does and Johny Silvo. We have never had anyone, as far as I remember, from the Indian sub-continent.

Whereas most white people in the area, including me, will attend some local Jazz and Blues club, with a high proportion of black audience members, most black and Asian people I have spoken to would not even think of going to a folk club. Bear in mind that although I was born here my father was an immigrant from Poland after WW2.

I think it is probably a combination of lack of interest in English Folk music by recent immigrants and a desire to have their 'own roots' music by the 2nd and 3rd generation black and Asian population. Remember of course that the main flow of immigrantion only started here in the 1950's - and 50 years is not an awful long time for whole groups of people to both accept the new culture and to be accepted themselves.

Someone said earlier that whereas the white Europen immigrants were soon assimilated (my family for example) the obvious difference between them and people of a different colour did make it harder for immigrants from Africa, the West Indies and the Indian sub-continent. I have no doubt it will happen eventualy. Just give it time.

In the meanwhile if there are any black or Asian acts out there that are willing to come and give us a try on a singers night at Swinton, PLEASE come along. We would love to see you there:-)

Cheers

DtG