It is great to be saying that Steve Turner will be the guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 3rd February. He last played at Irvine about five years ago
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 used that time to build up an internationally known stringed instrument business, from which he is now semi-retired.
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 sings 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 regularly tours the length and breadth of the UK and has also toured in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. He played at Celtic Connections a couple of weeks ago as part of The King’s Shilling production. Steve has six albums to his name, the most recent one being Rim of the Wheel.
For those of you for whom Steve Turner is a new name, get along to the Irvine Club on Wednesday 3rd February 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.
And finally, it is sad to report the untimely death of Iain Frame of Arran. In his early days as a Community Worker in Irvine, Iain was a regular attender at Irvine Folk Club. When Iain and his wife Maggie moved to Arran, it was no surprise that he was one of the founder members of Arran Folk Festival. The family’s musical background undoubtedly played a major part in their daughter Gillian’s decision to make a career in music. As Gillian is a Trad Music Tutor in North Ayrshire Schools, the annual Young Trad Musician of the Year competition scheduled for 10th February has been postponed. The sympathy of everyone at Irvine Folk Club goes to Maggie and the family.
WDS 324