Keith Holloway was chucked out of school violin class at the age of 9 because he couldn't read music. Some years later, he still can't, but after 6 albums, much session work, and many bands, he doesn't need to! Early pop and blues influences changed more towards the folk styles, which led to morris, and social dance in the early eighties. This has become a passion, and continues to this day, embracing bands like Random, New Band Anglo, Monty's Maggot. Didcot Junction and Bosun Higgs English Country Dance Band. Although he started out as a bass player, melodeon is his first love, with a relaxed, rhythmic style which makes you just want to dance.
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Heather White has been playing tenor sax and whistles in bands with silly names since she was 14 so she's relieved to find a band that won't make people go 'what?!'. She has previously played sax on the festival and ceilidh circuit with Monty's Maggot, and plays whistles in ceilidhs around Oxfordshire with Mouse & Trousers, and in the Titanic House Band (swing/blues/covers) for some non-folk light relief. She plays other saxes and clarinet, but will always blow a baritone sax or bass clarinet given half a chance.
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Taz Tarry developed his fiddle style based largely on Southern English traditional fiddle styles but with other influences in the mix. Taz has been playing in popular dance bands for many years, including Grand Union. In 2011 Taz founded the English String Band with some of the best traditional English string players who are, or have been, members of some of the most influential English dance bands of the last 30 years, including Old Swan Band, New Victory Band, and Katie’s Quartet. He was also a member of Monty's Maggot alongside Keith Holloway and Heather White, and now also leads Bosun Higgs English Country Dance Band. With all these bands Taz has played at many national festivals and ceilidh series, and has given numerous workshops on fiddle playing. Taz is also welcomed at any English music session where it has been said you don't know whether to listen or dance when he plays. See also Taz's own website www.taztarry.com
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Toby Goss has been playing the clarinet for 20 years, but only started playing folk music five years ago when he arrived on these shores from his home country of Australia. As well as playing with the Old Chapel Band, he also plays with two other barn dance (ceilidh) bands; the long established Jack's Maggot, and as a regular guest with the Lark Rise Ranters. He plays the Maccann duet concertina, and is an enthusiastic singer of folk songs, sea shanties, west gallery and Sacred Harp (shapenote) music. As well as music and singing, he finds time for campanology (bell ringing) and is a committed member of Eynsham Morris
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