PAST EVENTS
"Excellent venue - great atmosphere - excellent music with superb musicians. Absolutely fabulous evening." Ian Shovlin.
"Lovely mix - Greg Knowles is a great guest for the group."
"Absolutely brilliant! Music is superb. So impressed with James" [Watson, Ed] "& the percussionist" [Greg Knowles] "- beautiful improvisation. Just in awe at the talent in the room - Brill! Brill! Brill! I love the venue, the music and the ambience." Jo Norton.
"It just gets better and better! Great vibes with James with the band. Loved his solo numbers too." Val Dawson.
"So varied - exciting! Great line-up, brilliant to hear the percussionist" [Greg Knowles] "and the classical jazz guitarist" [James Watson], "they all work so well together. Especially love the very talented singer/flautist/sax/clarinet player" [Emma Stone, no clarinet though, that was a soprano sax.] "WONDERFUL." Beverley Kinnaird
"Another fine set of musical combinations before winter draw(er)s on." [ :-) ]
"Brilliant - loved it!" Anna and Mike Byers
"Good stuff! Very polished, pleasing sound. Lively and authoritative playing. Please could the diction of the ladies be as clear as Ken's?" [Ed. I'll have words. Catherine Kinsey's lyrics are the most important part of the songs.] "Sound is very good."
"Brilliant... (we drove up from Salisbury to be here!) Richard Taylor." [Wow! Thank you!]
"Wonderful music. Shame the women weren't introduced as much as the men." [Noted. But I suppose this was because the two guest musicians were men?]
"Brilliant. Great musicianship."
"We don't think the two guitarists like each other!" [Ed. Eh? Some people are weird.] "Otherwise a lovely evening."
The Artist
A quartet of guitar, saxophones, flute and double bass, Appleby Kinsey continue to create a distinctive, natural acoustic sound, with rich melodies, beautiful original songs, and masterful playing.
Hannah West joined the group in January 2016 as double bass player. Hannah is a talented and versatile musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer, teacher and composer.
Talitha Cole and Emma's Stone's voices combine in beautiful harmonies over lyrical, catchy, original songs in a variety of styles, from Latin jazz to folk.
Since 2010 Appleby Kinsey have been playing weddings, festivals, cruise boats, bars, restaurants and have a dedicated following in the region. They have a large repertoire of original songs in various genres ranging from cool jazz to straight pop and contemporary folk, using an appealing mixture of these styles. They have released one album, ‘Begin Again’ on CD and download, containing 14 original songs. Tracks from ‘Begin Again’ are regularly played on BBC Local Radio.
Links:
Playing drums at an early age in bands, orchestras and brass bands Greg studied formally at the RNCM with Gilbert Webster. He went from there to London to work with Peter Maxwell Davies.
He started working in studios and West End Shows, playing with various artists including Nigel Kennedy, Madonna, Freddy Mercury, Pet Shop Boys, and Echo and the Bunny Men.
Greg also worked with Ray Russell and Mo Foster at The Montreux Jazz Festival.
He has worked on movie sound tracks for Lord of the Rings, Ravenous with Damon Albarn, Hunger Games with The Punch Brothers, and most recently Hercules for composer Fernando Velasquez.
He has been writing library music for 25 years, and provided music for the wedding scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Recent engagements at the Royal Opera House in Winter's Tale for composer Joby Talbot, and now MD in Wolf Hall for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Links:
James Watson
James Watson is a virtuoso classical / jazz guitarist and composer based in Gloucester.
He has played many solo concerts and also performed with various outstanding musicians including Raimundo Fernandez (pianist), Cuffy Cuthbertson (Flamenco guitarist) and Patsy Gamble (saxophonist).
James has produced 6 CD’s including his Solo Classical debut album ‘Eloquence’ (2007), followed by ‘Sound Pictures’ (2009), ‘In Company’ (2010), ‘Duets’ (2011), ‘Skyline’ (2012) and 'Places In The Sun' (2013).
The Venue
The Ale House
The Ale House is a delightful and intimate concert venue, with warm acoustics.
Despite its name, there are no bar facilities at The Ale House and events there do not normally make alcoholic drinks available for sale. Most events, however, are bring-your-own. Wine glasses are made available.
The absence of a bar also has the highly desirable effect of ensuring the ‘pindrop’ atmosphere is maintained, with audiences intent only on the music.
In the 16th Century The Ale House was a place to serve ale to the parishioners of Colwall after church services. Nowadays, while having all modern facilities, it retains its ancient charm, with oak beams and leaded windows.
It is situated adjacent to St James the Great Church in Colwall. From the main B4218 going through the main part of Colwall, turn down Mill Lane, which is just north of the railway bridge. Go past Colwall Village Hall and the church is about half a mile further down the lane.
Park in the large car park next to the church and walk through the churchyard to the Ale House.
For reasons of safety parking is not allowed immediately adjacent to the building.
Disabled Access
The Ale House is fully equipped for wheelchair access.
There is a pull-in space by the main door at the south end of the building (shown in the picture) for drop-off.