| THE WINDY GYLE BAND |
ALICE BURN – has played pipes for 5 years. For the last three 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.
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.
PAUL KNOX – is in his third year of the Folk Degree course in
Newcastle. A member of “SKYNTE” and the “Kingsmen” Rapper
side he has recently joined 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.
Newcastle. A member of “SKYNTE” and the “Kingsmen” Rapper
side he has recently joined 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 in her fourth year 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. She has recently
taken up the smallpipes and now contributes to the Band's
"naked" pipes sets. Her other claim to fame is as a former
Yorkshire Ladies Line Dance Champion; such is her brilliant sense
of rhythm! Oh yes, and she is also a former British Ladies
Parachute Champion!!
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. She has recently
taken up the smallpipes and now contributes to the Band's
"naked" pipes sets. Her other claim to fame is as a former
Yorkshire Ladies Line Dance Champion; such is her brilliant sense
of rhythm! Oh yes, and she is also a former British Ladies
Parachute Champion!!
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 earlier this year where she ran
Northumbrian fiddle and dance workshops. She married
Anthony in April 2007 and has recently joined “The Castle
Band”. Another convert to the smallpipes she completes
the "naked" pipes sound – brave lass!
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 earlier this year where she ran
Northumbrian fiddle and dance workshops. She married
Anthony in April 2007 and has recently joined “The Castle
Band”. Another convert to the smallpipes she completes
the "naked" pipes sound – brave lass!
ANTHONY ROBB – has been a leading light in piping
circles for over 30 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. He 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.
circles for over 30 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. He 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.
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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..."
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..."
| For bookings contact Anthony T: 01740 629985 M: 07756571373 email: anthony@robbpipes.com |