Stewart Hardy

“Jimmy’s Fiddle” heads to the Davy Lamp Folk Club in Washington.

Join us for a night of music, dance, songs and humour as we delve in to a story of Georgian/Victorian Tyneside through the eyes of James Hill, “The Geordie Paganini”.

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 Fitzsimmons and Jim Mageean and clog dancing champion Natalie Reid.

Bottle Bank Band is delighted to have been asked by the Hertiage Society to perform a concert at St Mary’s on Tuesday 6th June at 7.00 pm.
Doors open at 6.30 pm for refreshments.

Tickets £5.00 and pre-booking is essential.

Book online at gatesheadlibraries.eventbrite.com or call St Mary’s on 0191 433 4699

The astonishing combination of Sophy Ball, Stewart Hardy, David Jones and Chloe Jones creates a musical experience which is not to be missed. They are all fine fiddlers with back catalogues of recordings and individual acclaim, but as Bottle Bank Band they bring a dazzling array of tunes with beautifully crafted harmonies. The intimate setting of St Mary’s Heritage Centre is a perfect venue to enjoy their musicality as they perform one of their rare appearances in the region. Doors open at 6.30pm for refreshments.

Sunday Full-day Fiddle Ensemble Day Sunday 9th July, 9.30 am – 4.00 pm at Riding Mill Parish Hall, Millfield Rd, Riding Mill, Northumberland NE44 6DJ
£44 – places are limited Includes:

• In-person tuition focusing on fiddle ensemble playing techniques
• Includes tunes, harmonies, fiddle chords and fiddle ensemble arrangement techniques.
• Teaching delivered by both Grace Smith and Stewart Hardy
• The day will finish with a tutor-guided session

Sunday Full-day Fiddle Ensemble Day Sunday 9th July, 9.30 am – 4.00 pm at Riding Mill Parish Hall, Millfield Rd, Riding Mill, Northumberland NE44 6DJ
£44 – places are limited Includes:

• In-person tuition focusing on fiddle ensemble playing techniques
• Includes tunes, harmonies, fiddle chords and fiddle ensemble arrangement techniques.
• Teaching delivered by both Grace Smith and Stewart Hardy
• The day will finish with a tutor-guided session

Sunday Full-day Fiddle Ensemble Day Sunday 9th July, 9.30 am – 4.00 pm at Riding Mill Parish Hall, Millfield Rd, Riding Mill, Northumberland NE44 6DJ
£44 – places are limited Includes:

• In-person tuition focusing on fiddle ensemble playing techniques
• Includes tunes, harmonies, fiddle chords and fiddle ensemble arrangement techniques.
• Teaching delivered by both Grace Smith and Stewart Hardy
• The day will finish with a tutor-guided session

Frank and I will be building a short tour for later in the year around a booking on Friday 20th September at the Swallow Theatre in Dumfries & Galloway. Their 2024 programme is now available to browse online. We are both delighted to be playing at this lovely venue again and tickets are now on sale. If you are in the area, or fancy taking a break in a beautiful part of the world, it would be great to see you there.

Friday 20th September, Swallow Theatre, Moss Park, Ravenstone, Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway DG8 8DR

Fiddle virtuoso Stewart Hardy and superb Scottish guitarist Frank McLaughlin are a critically acclaimed duo who possess a rare musical kinship as they explore music rooted in the traditions of Scotland, the Borders and Northumberland while incorporating sensibilities from the worlds of classical, blues, klezmer and jazz.

As a duo they perform traditional and contemporary tunes stripped back to the bare essentials of fiddle and guitar.

With their long-term collaboration, they have achieved a deep and instinctive understanding of each other’s musical interpretations.

The unique and versatile approach Stewart and Frank bring to their music, combined with their ability to draw on a wide variety of styles, produces an uplifting and joyous performance.