| WINDY GYLE BAND |
ALICE BURN – has played pipes for 7 years. For the last five of those she
has been tutored by Anthony and is the most accomplished piper of her
generation. In great demand as a solo performer she is also a member of
“Folkestra”. She plays a 17 key G chanter by Colin Ross who also made her
17 key (Clough pattern) F chanter. Her right thumb and left little finger are
dazzlingly dextrous and she joined Emily Hoile as a finalist in 2008 Young
Folk Musician of the Year
has been tutored by Anthony and is the most accomplished piper of her
generation. In great demand as a solo performer she is also a member of
“Folkestra”. She plays a 17 key G chanter by Colin Ross who also made her
17 key (Clough pattern) F chanter. Her right thumb and left little finger are
dazzlingly dextrous and she joined Emily Hoile as a finalist in 2008 Young
Folk Musician of the Year
PAUL KNOX – is a recent graduate of the Folk Degree course in Newcastle.
A member of “King Cole” and the “Kingsmen” Rapper side he often assists
Anthony as pipes tutor at The Sage Gateshead. His dedication to, and
understanding of, his own tradition belies his youthful years. He delights in a
great tune played thoughtfully and steadily giving time for ornamentation and
musicality to shine through.
A member of “King Cole” and the “Kingsmen” Rapper side he often assists
Anthony as pipes tutor at The Sage Gateshead. His dedication to, and
understanding of, his own tradition belies his youthful years. He delights in a
great tune played thoughtfully and steadily giving time for ornamentation and
musicality to shine through.
NIKKI WILLIAMSON – is a graduate of the Folk Degree course. Vastly
experienced and knowledgeable, she is a first-rate tune-smith and plays
with that extra touch of magic which separates her from the crowd and
ensures that three different bands are often in competition for her talents.
Now building up a growing reputation as fiddle teacher both privately and in
Sunderland Schools she is becoming an important figure in the music of the
region. Her knowledge of, and commitment to, the repertoire of
Northumberland and the Borders gives her the perfect springboard to bring
that extra touch of sparkle and lift to the band.
experienced and knowledgeable, she is a first-rate tune-smith and plays
with that extra touch of magic which separates her from the crowd and
ensures that three different bands are often in competition for her talents.
Now building up a growing reputation as fiddle teacher both privately and in
Sunderland Schools she is becoming an important figure in the music of the
region. Her knowledge of, and commitment to, the repertoire of
Northumberland and the Borders gives her the perfect springboard to bring
that extra touch of sparkle and lift to the band.
HEATHER ROBB – became hooked on traditional music in 2000
and studied in Stewart Hardy's workshops for 5 years. She has
focused on music of the North East and developed an amazingly
discerning ear for this music. She began playing duets with Anthony
in early 2006 and joined him in New Zealand in January 2007 where
she ran Northumbrian fiddle and dance workshops. She married
Anthony in April 2007, has taken up the smallpipes and joined
Anthony on the "Cool Breath Tour" of New Zealand in 2009. Now a
member of "The Castle Band" she worked with Anthony as fiddle
tutor with "Border Box".
and studied in Stewart Hardy's workshops for 5 years. She has
focused on music of the North East and developed an amazingly
discerning ear for this music. She began playing duets with Anthony
in early 2006 and joined him in New Zealand in January 2007 where
she ran Northumbrian fiddle and dance workshops. She married
Anthony in April 2007, has taken up the smallpipes and joined
Anthony on the "Cool Breath Tour" of New Zealand in 2009. Now a
member of "The Castle Band" she worked with Anthony as fiddle
tutor with "Border Box".
ANTHONY ROBB – has been a leading light in piping circles for
over 35 years. Involved with the “Cut & Dry” albums on Topic
Records in the 70s he obtained a set of pipes for a young fiddler
(Kathryn Tickell) who joined his pipes classes at Wallsend Arts
Centre. His teaching and performing has continued and has taken
him to America, Austria, Germany, Ireland and New Zealand.
Three times co-director of Folkworks Adult Summer School he
teaches pipes on the Folk Degree as is a regular pipes tutor at
The Sage Gateshead. He was privileged to be co-director of the
New Zealand "Cool Breath Tour" in 2009 and is also a member of
“The Castle Band” whose leader, Colin Bradford, snapped this
photo at a house session in the Shetlands in October 2006.
over 35 years. Involved with the “Cut & Dry” albums on Topic
Records in the 70s he obtained a set of pipes for a young fiddler
(Kathryn Tickell) who joined his pipes classes at Wallsend Arts
Centre. His teaching and performing has continued and has taken
him to America, Austria, Germany, Ireland and New Zealand.
Three times co-director of Folkworks Adult Summer School he
teaches pipes on the Folk Degree as is a regular pipes tutor at
The Sage Gateshead. He was privileged to be co-director of the
New Zealand "Cool Breath Tour" in 2009 and is also a member of
“The Castle Band” whose leader, Colin Bradford, snapped this
photo at a house session in the Shetlands in October 2006.
From Richard Heard's review of the Band's first gig at The Chantry Morpeth
(Nortnumbrian Pipers Society Newsletter Nov.2007)
"The music was indeed stunning. Starting with Alistair Anderson’s
“Windy Gyle” itself (played in unison, then with harmonies, and
then as a slip jig combined with the original tune), the band brought
to effervescent life several of the tunes on their CD, as well as tunes
they are currently working on. The introductions to the tunes
revealed a deep respect for our rich Northumbrian musical tradition,
as well as the sound underlying research and some delightful
anecdotes about players and incidents associated with them.....the
concert was superb..."
(Nortnumbrian Pipers Society Newsletter Nov.2007)
"The music was indeed stunning. Starting with Alistair Anderson’s
“Windy Gyle” itself (played in unison, then with harmonies, and
then as a slip jig combined with the original tune), the band brought
to effervescent life several of the tunes on their CD, as well as tunes
they are currently working on. The introductions to the tunes
revealed a deep respect for our rich Northumbrian musical tradition,
as well as the sound underlying research and some delightful
anecdotes about players and incidents associated with them.....the
concert was superb..."
| For bookings contact Anthony T: 01740 629985 M: 07594561376 email: anthony@robbpipes.com |
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| Northumbrian pipes bits used by Windy Gyle Band are shown in all their glory below. |
| Photographs; Alice Burn and Anthony Robb |