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"Gigspanner's improvisations around traditional
and original compositions are
a rare fusion of the inspirational and intelligent
with the amazingly accessible."
"Peter Knight is the finest Violinist I have ever heard" Terry Pratchett, Author
Band Biography:
Despite his name being synonymous with the seminal Folk-Rock Band 'Steeleye Span', Peter Knight has
avoided being categorised purely as a Folk Musician due to the diversity of musical genres that he chooses to apply
to his music making, and to the musicians he has chosen to work with. Peter has a rare gift of being able to seamlessly
embrace a number of musical styles with consummate skill and effortless grace.
His prodigious talent was recognised at an early age when in true Billy Elliot style his life changed by winning
a place at The Royal Academy of Music in London, an experience that has indelibly left its mark on Peter's style
of playing. Despite being offered an extension to continue his studies as a classical soloist under the tutelage
of an eminent Professor , Peter left the Royal Academy at 16 and was drawn to the copious presence of Irish Music
that was flourishing in London during the 1960's. Inspired initially by the legendary Fiddle players Michael Coleman
and Michael Gorman, Peter totally immersed himself into the playing of traditional music and began performing in
Folk Clubs with guitarist Bob Johnson. Being invited by Ashley Hutchings to join the fledgling 'Steeleye Span'
secured his place within the annals of British Folk Music, but an encounter with renowned Saxophonist Trevor Watts
marked a very significant turning point in Peter's musical journey when he was introduced to the area of free improvisation.
Peter counts his playing with Trevor and his Bands 'Moire Music' and 'The Moire Music Drum Orchestra' as one of
his most deeply influential and formative experiences, and has continued to use both improvisation and free improvisation
as means of accessing a rich seam of emotion and depth of feeling, something which is particularly in evidence
with his Trio 'Gigspanner'.
Guitarist and Composer Roger
Flack is a well known and much respected Musician on the local
scene. Originally a Piano player and later a Drummer, Roger is nowPrimarily known as a Rock guitarist whose playing
has been described as 'flawless', and his work with Gigspanner undoubtedly reflects his sensitivity and intuition
as a performer within the area of improvisation.
Despite being "perfectly capable of string-based fireworks",
Roger has in the words of Reviewer and Radio contributer Joshua Roberts "worked out the truth of the statement
"less is more". His playing provides an ideal foil to the more flamboyant fiddle and percussion sounds
happening all around him. In so many ways the band is built on his quiet and solid presence."
Roger is a founder member of the Celtic Folk Rock Band 'The Tabs', whose
numbers include Fiddle player Garry Blakeley
( Feast of Fiddles, Band of Two). and is a stalwart of 'The Stag Band',
a Hastings based session Band of eight Musicians and vocalists . Roger acknowledges that this experience has finely
honed his skills in accompanying traditional English, Scottish and Irish tunes.
Afro-Percussionist Vincent Salzfaas is an inventive and colourfully expressive
player, who in addition to working globally as a Touring Musician also contributes much to the advancement of African
Drumming by means of Workshops through Schools and Festivals. Although Vincent actually studied in Senegal, he
is not afraid of pushing the boundaries in applying his expertise within the other genres of Music, and his imaginative
application of African techniques to the traditional tunes explored by Gigspanner is evidence of this.
His playing was recently described as "A revelation. At times turning
his percussion into a lead instrument, at others providing driving rhythms and African influences to give the music
a highly original lift" (courtesy Joshua Roberts).
The resulting collaboration in the form of Gigspanner has been generating a lot of interest in and around Hastings,
where those fortunate enough to have seen one of their (until now) inevitably rare performances know that they
are experiencing something unique and special. Gigspanner have just finished recording their first CD and are now
poised to perform nationally. Bookings are also being made for 2008 and 2009 Music Festivals.
To enquire about booking Gigspanner : 07974 842950
email deblington@gmail.com
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