John Morgan and Michael Hebbert at Fritt

Subject: John Morgan and Michael Hebbert at Fritt
From: Gavin Atkin
Date: 11 Jan 13 - 05:18 AM

We have two great dates coming up for the Frittenden sessions: singer John Morgan on the 27th January and Jeffries duet concertina master Michael Hebbert on the 24th February.

John has a fine style and an excellent voice, and specialises in traditional songs, frequently those of the South-East and often accompanied by his melodeon.

However, John also finds space for modern songs in his repertoire, many of which were written by friends – but when you realise just how many of the folk scene's well known names are old friends that comes as no surprise.

Michael was born in Glasgow, grew up in Blackburn, Lancashire, and began his performing career in Wallingford, Oxfordshire as a pub musician at a pub locally known as The Rampin' Cat, and as a dance band leader.

He went on to contribute to Ashley Hutchings's album Kicking Up the Sawdust (Harvest SHSP4073) and releases his own LP, The Rampin' Cat (Free Reed FRR 009).

On the folk circuit Michael has a long-standing double act with singer Andrew Frank and his concertina classes and workshops have featured at Kilve, Witney, Swaledale, Bradfield and the English Country Music Weekend.

With a huge repertoire of tunes from many traditions, Michael shows the tremendous versatility of the Jeffries Brothers's duet concertinas. A triumph of late Victorian craftsmanship measuring only 6in across, Jeffries squeezeboxes pack the essence of the music whether they're blazing away like a fairground organ, punching a tango rhythm, or unfurling the long melody of an Irish slow air fit to break your heart.

Our sessions at Frittenden's Bell & Jorrocks pub start at 8pm and are informal and free, with lots of old-fashioned and traditional songs and tunes, perhaps a little stepdancing and a big emphasis on variety, humour and entertainment generally.

If you liked your pub the way it was before the telly and the computer came, this is the event for you. You don't have to be a performer in order to join us, but if you are, why not bring a song, a tune, a story or a poem yourself?

For information about the Frittenden sessions and the other events we run in the mid-Kent area, see http://singdanceandplay.net