Our return to the Cheltenham Jazz festival after a two year absence did not have an auspicious start as for a variety of reasons we arrived a little late to see Sheelanagig.
Fortunately, we didn't miss much and we were soon immersed in their extraordinary world. With Aaron Catlow on violin and lead vocals, Adrian Sykes on flute, vocals ( and other items), Kit Hawes on guitar and vocals, Dorian Sutton on bass and vocals and John Blakeley on drums, percussion and vocals they excel in bringing Balkan and Eastern European music to the masses.
This is fun music and as well as instrumental tunes they wisely interspersed songs, generally with humourous explanations adding variety to proceedings and emphasizing how multi-talented these musicians are.Having been around for seven years this Bristol based group know how to engage with an audience. Aaron Catlow is the perfect front man chatting naturally and apologising for his terrible jokes.
But fun and brilliant musicianship still isn't enough for these guys. The unexpected addition of handstands, backflips, playing the guitar whilst balancing on the knees of colleagues and playing instruments horizontally all help to provide an all-round spectacle.
A perfect start to our festival. Now off to purchase the new CD.
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