Scratchy Beard in Concert

46 Saturday 28th March 6.30pm

What happens if you take the intoxicating swing and feel of gypsy jazz, add storytelling songs inspired by English & Celtic folk, and throw in a pinch of bluesy roots & rhythm? Gypsy-jazzy-rootsy-folk, of course! Experienced performers, Scratchy Beard are an up-beat and enjoyable live quartet offering something a little different: very accessible roots/alt-folk/gypsy jazz music with an ear-catching line up of guitar, cello, drums & clarinet with, at times, three-part and fourpart harmonies along with a reed organ, tin whistles, melodica & bottle-top slide guitar.

Inspired by the infectious swing & alluring melodies of 1930s gypsy jazz, adorned with the storytelling spirit of Anglo-Celtic folk songs, Scratchy Beard perform at venues and festivals all over the country. They sing a song or two in French and enjoy the occasional appearance of a blues melodica and tin whistles. They often reveal the engaging stories behind the songs they perform.

Having met in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Scratchy Beard are well-known in the Warwickshire area and have previously performed at the RSC. Describing themselves as ‘a cocktail of died-in-the-wool touring musos, classically trained instrumentalists and a celebrated illustrator.’ Founder member Spesh Maloney has scored and sound-designed for several feature films, film-shorts and theatre shows including the award-winning BBC documentary: Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster.

Prepare yourself for an entertaining evening journeying through an upbeat, fun and sincere collage of trans-European roots music.

“I can’t thank you enough for being brilliant and making the Winter Revel such as successful night”

– Hannah, Events Manager, Royal Shakespeare Company

“Last time they packed the place out so maybe it’s best to get here early!” – Stratford Alehouse Advance Tickets on Sale from Fairfield Café or www.fairfieldflicks.org.uk: Standard £8.50, U16s £5.00 On the Night: Standard £11.00, U16s £5.00