20th June – Steve Turner

Steve Turner is the guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 20th June. He now plays only 50 or so gigs a year so Irvine is fortunate to get this unassuming, multi-instrumentalist with a superb voice.

Manchester born Steve comes from a family of concertina players and singers. His musical career started off he says ‘as a pretend Geordie’ in the Canny Fettle band in 1970 playing concertina. From then until 1991 he toured with them internationally and in the UK and also established himself as a professional solo musician. He drifted away from folk music for thirteen years and indeed one journalist opined that Steve would be an ideal candidate for a ‘Whatever happened to…’ article. The reason for his absence from the live music scene was that he was building up an internationally known stringed instrument business. Now being semi-retired from the business gives him the time to play the venues he wants to play.

After that ‘break’ in his performing career, Steve made a welcome return to the folk scene – some say as an even better performer. He is a man of considerable talents and his style is understated. Known best as a master of the concertina, Steve also sings superbly and clearly – always relaying the full meaning of songs. He also plays cittern, mandolin and tenor banjo. He is much sought-after as a concertina accompanist and gives workshops on accompaniment. As well as being a talented performer he also has a delightful personality.

Steve tours the length and breadth of the UK and has also toured in Australia and New Zealand. At the 23rd Celtic Connections he played as part of The King’s Shilling production. Steve has seven albums to his name, the most recent one being Spirit of the game.

For those who haven’t heard Steve Turner, get along to the Irvine Club on Wednesday 20th June to hear for yourself this very fine, self-taught concertina player. You will not be disappointed. The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road, starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.