Kate Worsley is a local author whose first novel was published earlier this year. The action in the novel is centred around the old town of Harwich and together with Matthew Crampton, Chris Hayes, Jan North, Jenny Thompson and Sarah Madden, Kate will be presenting a highly original show featuring readings from the book, shanties and songs of the sea

Featuring original songs about the Golden Age of Piracy Roy Mette and Triangle are collectively known as ‘Captain Morgan’s Rum Do’.  Their songs feature murder, death, plunder and rum in tales of pirates such as Blackbeard, Black Bart, Anne Bonney and Calico Jack Rackham.  This performance will also include songs from the new album ‘Thames, Sails and Scallywags Tales’ concerning life in medieval London and introducing another  range of scurvy, lice ridden characters.

Hold on to you rowlocks!  This is a musical journey from which few return.

 Also known as principals of the visual arts company, Hedingham Fair, Karen and Colin make a rare musical appearance at Harwich this year. As well as being one of the Folk world’s best artists and designers, Karen is a sweet singer, mean banjo frailer and crisp percussionist. Colin is known for his Melodeon and Anglo Concertina playing, but what is less well known is that he has written several folk songs, which many have assumed are traditional songs.

In the 18 months since their formation Hard Pressed has guested at Folk Clubs across the South East of England and started to make their mark in the International Maritime Festival scene – e.g. Shanty UK’s Easter Festival.  They perform sea songs, shanties, more reflective or humorous songs, both from the tradition and contemporary sources, specialising in songs from the local area and America.

Hard Pressed is:  Derek Seed, vocals, Liz Randall, vocals, accordion, whistle and concertina, Roger Resch, vocals and accordion.

Based at Burnham Thorpe, birthplace of Lord Nelson, theirs was an obvious choice of name. A diverse group of enthusiasts, they are united by their love of singing and desire to keep the shanty singing tradition alive. Singing mainly acapella in harmony, but with occasional musical accompaniement, Nelson’s Shantymen have been delighting audiences in their home county of Norfolk and further afield.

Jed Stone and Des Tighe are well known around the folk scene in their Suffolk homeland, but have also travelled extensively to venues around the British Isles and further abroad. They were the founder members of XXLsior, a shanty crew put together to support the sail training trawler Excelsior and have previously sung with a variety of other groups. They are regular and popular supporters of the festival. 

With a wide repertoire of songs, Paul is always one of our most popular performers at Harwich. He has toured extensively on both the maritime and folk scene and is an accomplished singer and guitar player, singing both traditional and self penned songs.

Crossjack are from Oldenburg in Germany and pride themselves on singing Shanties in the traditional manner as close as possible to the way they would have been sung on board ship. Their authentic renditions are therefore sung acapella in appropriate rythym.

Back by popular demand, this talented and entertaining group of singers and musicians made an enormous impression when they visited our festival two years ago. La Bouline are based in the Loire region of France, for centuries an important trade route to the sea. Sailors from that region plyed their trade in traditional square rigged boats by day and sung of their exploits at night. So the heritage of the Loire valley is combined with the maritime heritage of the 3 Breton members of the band to produce a unique mixture of traditional and self penned songs.

Hooks and Crookes were formed in 2004 to celebrate the Tall Ships Race coming to their home town of Waterford in July 2005. They had so much fun back then that they just kept going and have now appeared at festivals, Maritime and otherwise throughout Ireland, the U.K. and Europe. Their name derives from the old Cromwellian saying “by hook or by crooke” and refers to the two headlands at the entrance to Waterford Harbour. Hook Head Lighthouse dominates the Wexford shore, whilst further upstream Crooke Lighthouse lies on the Waterford Shore.

Formed just two years ago, this group already have an impressive list of performances and a C.D. to boot. Adopted almost immediately by the Titanic Brewery of Stoke on Trent, Nine Tenths Below sing “Songs of Ale and Sail”. We are delighted to welcome them to Harwich this year.