Andy Watts shawm/curtal/bagpipes/recorders/vocals Giles Lewin violin/recorders/vocals Steve Banks percussion/violin/vocals Steno Vitale guitar/mandolin/vocals Jub Davis double bass/vocals

The Carnival Band aims to make early music accessible to as wide an audience as possible. The emphasis is on popular music, particularly from the 16th and 17th centuries, and traditional music from around the world -- any music that has the spirit of Carnival, the season that in medieval and renaissance Europe gave communities licence to ‘turn the world upside down’. Presentation is informal and humorous, musicianship first-class. Venues range from village halls to large theatres and a range of community and education options are available. Founded by Andy Watts (Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment) and Giles Lewin (Dufay Collective) while members of the Medieval Players touring theatre company in the 80s, the Carnival Band’s long association with folk singer Maddy Prior has won them acclaim and a loyal and enthusiastic following.

Sample Programme:

Around the World in Eighty Tunes The Carnival Band take up the challenge and transport the audience around the globe and even into space - eighty tunes ranging from Praetorius to Contemporary. Audience participation and plenty of humour.

Education:

Concerts, workshops (from half a day), extended projects, ie:
Sessions for Early Years
‘What a Rackett’ Concert for 7-11s
The Incredible Adventures of Sir John Mandeville - medieval and world music project for KS2
Tudor Music and Dance (with dance leader)
A Carnival of Carols
Sing Lustily! (West Gallery music of the 18th century)

Recordings:

Include: A Tapestry of Carols (Saydisc 1986); Hoi Polloi (Park 1999); Sing Lustily and with Good Courage (Saydisc 1990)
New release May 2007 My Heart Doth Dance (Park)

Performances:

23 Oct 06 Nettlebed Folk Club, Oxon
15 May 07 The Stables, Wavendon
25 May 07 Methodist Central Hall, Manchester

Contact:

Andrew Watts, 81 Laugherne Road,
Worcester WR2 5LY

Tel/Fax: 01905 429848
Mobile: 07976 751458

Email: andyandruthwatts@btinternet.com Website: www.carnivalband.com