Stewart Hardy

“A Northumberland journey in Photographs, Songs and Music”

This show brings you not only a fascinating collaboration of music and photography but it also brings together two great local artists for the first time.

Andy Craig is a professional photographer and has been photographing the Northumberland Coast since he moved to the area in 2008. “Earning a living from photography is a fantastic way of life and it has allowed me to explore the art of photography and delve deeply into the creative process. My music and my photography go hand in hand for me so it seemed appropriate to combine the two together into this music & photography presentation.”  Andy feels that it is the same creative process that informs photography and music “it is about seeing, feeling or experiencing nature and then passing that on to an audience so that they can share the moment through my photographs. It is really exciting to work with Stewart on this project.  To have Stewart playing and interpreting my music takes it to a new level.”

Stewart Hardy “Having experienced Andy’s work from the other side of the lens for some years now, it’s terrific to finally have a chance to collaborate with him. In this project his photography allows us to see Northumberland through his eyes, whilst his music captures the essence of Northumberland landscapes, giving us an opportunity to share in his personal response to this beautiful part of the world.”

What the press say:

“Andy Craig is a local singer/songwriter and guitarist whose home-spun tales of life on the coast are reflected in beautiful songs like “All This Is Ours” and “Home” and in evocative instrumentals.

“A professional photographer by day, Andy transfers the skills of capturing exceptional images to his music.”  Blues in Britain

James Hill was probably the most famous fiddler on Tyneside during the late Georgian and early Victorian period. He wrote more than 40 tunes, mainly for hornpipes, inspired and informed by the places and characters he came to know.

This story is a reflective account of his life, told through ‘Jimmy’s ghost’ and set in and around The Hawk public house, which was owned by his future father-in-law. The narrative unfolds to a back-drop of James Hill’s own compositions, clog dancing and songs from the time, incorporating some newly commissioned pieces.

Featuring two top virtuoso fiddle players Tom McConville (BBC Musician of the Year) and Stewart Hardy, this show provides fantastic entertainment for all the family. Tom and Stewart will be joined by two of the North East’s finest singers Alan Fitzimmons and Jim Mageean and clog dancing champion Natalie Rae.

James Hill was probably the most famous fiddler on Tyneside during the late Georgian and early Victorian period. He wrote more than 40 tunes, mainly for hornpipes, inspired and informed by the places and characters he came to know.

This story is a reflective account of his life, told through ‘Jimmy’s ghost’ and set in and around The Hawk public house, which was owned by his future father-in-law. The narrative unfolds to a back-drop of James Hill’s own compositions, clog dancing and songs from the time, incorporating some newly commissioned pieces.

Featuring two top virtuoso fiddle players Tom McConville (BBC Musician of the Year) and Stewart Hardy, this show provides fantastic entertainment for all the family. Tom and Stewart will be joined by two of the North East’s finest singers Alan Fitzimmons and Jim Mageean and clog dancing champion Natalie Rae.