Multi-instrumentalist and singer, I specialise in folk and historic stringed instruments. I have recorded 7 albums since turning professional in 1984. These have been with Grynwode, Prego and Dante Ferrara. I have composed incidental music for short films and podcasts. Current work is with the baroque 'Duo Piccolo e Grande' (mandolino with theorbo), klezmer band 'Simcha' (cümbüs) and ambient music 'Duo Damasus' (oud with clarinet).

I specialise in the links between traditional music from a range of European cultures and the music of the Galant era. I have focused on citterns of many periods and sizes, but I also play related instruments such as the Irish bouzouki and the steel-string guitar in a variety of tunings. My work has involved blending the ancient sounds of early music and the intricacies of traditional dance music. I have a deep reverence for the past, a varied repertoire, and as a performer, a relaxed, conversational style that I hope draws listeners in as if they were sitting in my music room.

Although my musical base is firmly in America and Europe, my travels, interests and research have led to an appreciation of many kinds of traditional music. I discovered an affinity with Irish traditional music by first falling in love with the dance music of medieval, renaissance and baroque Europe. My passion for the cittern led me to Fado and the Portuguese guitarra tradition, as well as to the Corsican cetera. I play historical as well as modern citterns, and have recorded several albums of music for the 18th-century cittern, often called the English “guittar”.

I'm just another fretless bass player, but shorter.

The rough mix and demo tracks here are to appear on my forthcoming solo album, "Stormy, Rain, Change, Fair..." which I hope to release soon. I've written the music and played the instruments.  I have used and occasionally adapted the poetry of my life partner Vienna Forrester. She has a knack of creating strong visuals in her poems and I wanted to showcase her talents and fulfil my need to release my musical work to the general public, hence the reason for this album. I am deliberately trying to stay away from the notion that songs must follow a rhyming verse chorus pattern so think of these lyrics as poetry (which is what they are) and you'll get the idea. Of course, this also means that commercialism is out the window but all I ask is that you listen and if you like what you hear, that's fine by me... if you don't, that's also fine. I just want to be happy with what I create but if it makes you happy too, then that's a bonus.

Thanks for reading and listening.
Ian

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