GIG: Recovered Songs from the Crimean War

During the Crimean War 1853-56, hundreds of ordinary Victorians expressed their feelings about the conflict in poems they had published in local newspapers across the UK. These texts are thought-provoking, emotionally engaging, and relevant to the current political moment. Working with Professor Simon Rennie of the University of Exeter and using Halsway Manor as a base, these artists have brought to life poems which until now have remained unread in archives for 170 years.

The Artists

Nina Zella is a versatile singer, pianist, songwriter, and composer whose music defies easy categorisation. Best known as the singer and keyboard player with acclaimed UK folk band Banter, Nina has been writing songs since she was first able to sit at a piano, and her career has flourished into a unique blend of folk, jazz, soul, blues, and indie influences. Her music is a tapestry of heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies, drawing on a lifetime of adventures and experiences.

Saul Rose is a renowned English folk melodeon player and singer. A long-time member of Waterson:Carthy, winning two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards with ‘Broken Ground’ and forming a duo with Eliza Carthy. Double album ‘Red Rice’ was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 1998. Saul played on numerous albums, including Jackie Oates’ ‘Hyperboreans’, Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy’s album ‘The Gift’ and soundtracks for the films ‘Morris – A Life With Bells On’ and ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’. Nominated for the Musician of The Year award in the 2010 BBC Folk Awards, during 2011 he took the part of Songman in West End play War Horse. Now part of band Whapweasel and a duo with Maclaine Colsten, Saul was also a member of Faustus and a founder member of Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band.

Anna and Kate Pyshniuk from the Kozachky Choir. The first rehearsal of Kozachky took place in October 2022 at St. George's Church in Bristol under the direction of highly qualified choral specialist Anna Pyshniuk. Gradually, the Ensemble was filled with wonderful creative people, both professional musicians and volunteers. From the very first day, all the people who came to the rehearsal were full of inspiration and enthusiasm to delve into Ukrainian song and delight the British people with our musical and spiritual richness. Since 2022 they have performed in over 120 concerts in the west of England.

Benji Kirkpatrick is a singer, songwriter and musician. A key member of folk big band, Bellowhead, Benji has been performing solo for 25 years. Latest album In Phase, released autumn 2023, features all original songs written between 2020 and 2022. Lauded releases such as ‘Boomerang’ (2008) and ‘Hendrix Songs’ (2015) – an album of acoustic re-interpretations of the work of Jimi Hendrix – have punctuated his exploits over the years alongside extensive work with others. 2019 saw the release of ‘Gold Has Worn Away’ on German based label Westpark Music, the only release from Benji’s then band ‘Benji Kirkpatrick & The Excess’; a roots-based power trio comprising of Pete Thomas (Jackie Oates, Megan Henwood) on bass and Joelle Barker (Edwin Starr band, Del Camino) on drums. Pete Flood, also of Bellowhead, occupied the drum seat until 2022. Benji was head hunted by folk rock pioneers, Steeleye Span in 2017 (40 years after his dad, John, was in the band) and was a member until 2021, featuring on 50th anniversary album ‘Estd. 1969’. He was one third of ‘bloke folk’ trio, ‘Faustus’, along with Paul Sartin and Saul Rose, whose hard-hitting brand of English folk hammered its mark onto the scene until the untimely and tragic death of Paul in 2022. Benji is a long-term collaborator with Seth Lakeman, featuring on the successful releases ‘Kitty Jay’, ‘Freedom Fields’ and ‘Make Your Mark’ and tours with Seth regularly.

Granny’s Attic are Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (melodeon, anglo concertina, vocals), George Sansome (guitar, vocals) and Lewis Wood (violin, vocals) and they have been touring the UK and Europe since 2009. They are much loved by audiences up and down the country, with bookings everywhere from Cambridge Folk Festival to Cecil Sharp House. The trio have been heralded for their lively performances and skilled delivery of traditional material, playing with verve, energy and their own inimitable style. Though grounded in tradition, they are keen to push new boundaries by exploring fresh approaches and writing their own compositions. Described by Folk Radio as “one of the most exciting and accomplished English folk acts on the scene right now”, this outstanding trio can hold audiences in the palm of their hand.

Jackie Oates stands at the heart of the British folk scene as one of the country’s most cherished and distinctive voices. A two-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner and five-time nominee, Jackie is an exquisite singer, expressive fiddler, composer, and multi-instrumentalist whose work has redefined contemporary English folk. Across a string of critically acclaimed solo albums, Jackie has cemented her reputation as one of our most gifted interpreters and performers of traditional song. Jackie persistently seeks out unexpected artistic corners to illuminate with her voice, research, writing, and musicianship. A true collaborator, Jackie embodies the cooperative and democratic ethos that still lies at the heart of the British folk tradition. Jackie performs and records with a host of long-time friends and celebrated folk names including John Spiers, Belinda O’Hooley, Charlie Dore, Jon Wilks, Mike Cosgrave, John Parker, Megan Henwood, Alasdair Roberts and the late Simon Emmerson. An integral member of the folk supergroup, The Imagined Village, alongside Simon, Eliza Carthy, Martin Carthy and Billy Bragg, Jackie has continually expanded the boundaries of what folk music can be.