Jez Lowe is one of the busiest and most popular and respected performers on the international folk scene and happily he is back at Irvine Club on Wednesday 27th November when he plays at the club as part of his current UK mini-tour.
Born and raised in the coalmining community of Easington in County Durham, Jez has been playing since the early 70’s. His vitality and simplicity of style accompanied by a driving guitar and engaging humour are just some of the reasons for the enduring popularity of Jez Lowe. He also plays mandocello and a prize if you have ever seen him not wear a stripey t-shirt on stage!
He is a prolific songwriter -Richard Thomson thinks Jez is the best contemporary English songwriter. A number of his songs address the economic distress suffered by the North Country as a result of the decline of the coal industry and the ensuing social repercussions. His songs can be heard in all corners of the world and artists of the calibre of Fairport Convention, Cherish the Ladies, The Dubliners and The Tannahills have all recorded Jez’s material.
Jez has played in Irvine on a number of occasions sometimes solo and sometimes with his backing band The Bad Pennies. For anyone who has not heard him, go along to the Irvine Club on the 27th November. With Jez Lowe topping the bill, you will not be disappointed.
Irvine Folk Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road at 8pm and it’s BYOB.
Finally, Celtic Connections will soon be upon us. The Winter extravaganza has 300 events, starts on 16th January and goes right through until 2nd February. All information is available on the web or from the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow.