Arts & Culture
Quirky, highly entertaining folk duo

In their twenty-somethingth year together, Paul Sartin and Paul Hutchinson of Belshazzar’s Feast bring a wealth of talent to Ocelotshire in December.

Belshazzar’s Feast start with traditional English music, add a touch of class, throw in a bit of pop and music hall, and top it off wry humour for a unique live experience that has made them one of the most popular duos in folk music.

Paul Sartin was a member of the multi-BBC Radio 2 Award-winning big band Bellowhead, and is currently in trio Faustus.

Consultant and Director of the Andover Museum Loft Singers, Paul is author of Community Choirs Collection – Folk published by Faber Music, Musical Director of The Transports and a BASCA-nominated composer whose commissions include works for the Central School of Speech and Drama, the Choir of Somerville College, Oxford, Streetwise Opera, and the BBC Radio 4 series Playing the Skyline.

Paul Hutchinson’s love of fusion music originates from his days in the renowned Celtic jazzers, Hoover the Dog. Pagoda Project, with jazz clarinetist, Karen Wimhurst, is the next exciting chapter in his musical journey providing a vehicle for his own compositions.

Their debut album received a 5 Star review in the March edition of Songlines and glowing tributes from amongst others, FRoots. Paul is resident tutor at Cecil Sharp House, Halsway Manor, Benslow Music Centre and Marlborough College. He has a keen interest in and knowledge of seventeenth and eighteenth Century dance music which has resulted in tours to Europe and America.

Belshazzar’s Feast received a coveted nomination for the Best Duo Award at the 2010 BBC Folk Awards and are regulars at folk festivals across the summer, with touring including a popular annual Christmas tour of seasonal songs and tunes.

For Reading’s South Street Arts Centre, December 16, click here.

For Wiltshire’s Music Centre, December 20, click here.