ECMW 2010 - traditional English musicians sessions interspersed with step dancing, songs, performances on Jews Harps and a melodious Bass Saxophone

I've just got back from Ampthill in Bedfordshire, where the English Country Music Weekend 2010 was hosted this year again by Redbornstoke Morris under the excellent leadership of Taz Tarry, feeling tired but content.

Wonderful sessions interspersed with step dancing, folk tradition discussions, performances on Jew's Harps, a close encounter with a bass saxophone (apparently called Emily Brontosaurus) were just a few of the great moments that combined to make this yet another fantastic weekend with some of the finest traditional English musicians in the UK as they let their hair down performing and talking about English traditional folk music.



Rubbing shoulders with some of the finest traditional English musicians in the country is a major perk of attending the ECMW and, as a saxophone player myself, I thoroughly enjoyed playing alongside Neil Gledhill of the Old Swan Band as he coaxed incredibly melodious sounds from his bass saxophone, Emily Brontosaurus.







Proving that traditional music is constantly evolving, developing and absorbing new influences, Michael Wright gave an interesting talk on the Jew's Harp and then joined in the session with singer and Jew's Harp player Lucy Wright giving jigs and reels a completely new dimension.

Interspersed between the traditional English tune playing were displays of step dancing and, for those who wanted to take their knowledge of the step dance further, Matt Norman, Jason Rice and Mark Bazeley gave a step dance talk workshop.

It is part of the tradition of the annual ECMW that this it travels around the country to visit different places and different folk traditions and it seems that its next venue will be in Essex. I'm looking forward to it.

Were you at the English Country Music Weekend 2010? What did you most enjoy about ECMW 2010? Check out the video of the English Country Music Weekend 2010. Your comments are welcome below :-)