Playing with Ken in LOCKSTEP are: Paul Burgess (10CC) - drums, Norm Helm - bass, Wendy Ross - violin (Magna Carta)

Ken is a highly acclaimed musician, singer, songwriter, producer, playwright and composer. Ken has been a member of Steeleye Span and The Albion Band and worked with artists ranging from Al Stewart to Phil Cool.

He has recording credits on more than 50 albums. Ken plays acoustic and electric guitar, resonator guitar, 5-string banjo, mandolin and ukulele. Ken's music ranges from folk to ragtime, blues to rock, ballads to jazz, amazingly intricate instrumentals to singalong comedy numbers. Ken has toured extensively in the UK and throughout Europe, the USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Born in Preston, Lancashire, he had early success as one half of Nicol & Marsh's Easy Street along with Pete Marsh. They recorded four albums on the CBS and Polydor labels, and moved to Los Angeles in the late-1970s. Returning to the UK in 1989, Ken recorded solo albums Living In A Spanish Town, Two Frets From The Blues, as well as working with other artists including Chris While, now of renowned duo While & Matthews.

In 1996, Ken started working with Ashley Hutchings - the man who founded British folk-rock giants Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band. It was to prove a very fruitful partnership which continues to this day. Ken has worked with Ashley in The Ashley Hutchings Dance Band, The Albion Band and as a duo. After recording four albums with The Albion Band and continuing to record and release his own solo albums, Ken joined legendary folk-rockers Steeleye Span in 2002, touring the world and recording a further four albums with the band.

In early 2010 Ken took the difficult decision to leave Steeleye Span, in order to concentrate on his many other projects which see him performing across the UK and Europe, both as a solo artist and as part of various duos. He's also co-host of the Internet radio show, FolkCast, which has thousands of listeners all around the world. Another of his musical partnerships is with British comedy star Phil Cool, and in 2009 that duo played as special guests to folk-rock giants Fairport Convention on their 40-date UK tour.

Ken recorded his experiences of a very busy year as a touring musician in an online blog, which he is currently expanding into a semi-autobiographical book. In November 2011, Ken's own dramatic production 'The Glass Chronicles' took to the stage for the first time for six performances at the High Barn in Essex. Featuring a cast of twelve musicians and actors, The Glass Chronicles was inspired by his own remarkable and positive experiences with a Ouija board. The show is being developed for further performances during 2012 and 2013.

What others say about Ken Nicol:

“Formidable and painstakingly acquired skills on both acoustic and electric guitars, a very high class player indeed. Flexible too. He seems comfortable with whatever style is tossed at him.”Martin Carthy

“I first met Ken when we collaborated on an Ashley Hutchings song on his last album. I was amazed at Ken’s beautiful ragtime guitar style.He has such a great way of delivering a story and gently laying down the punch line. Humour, great guitar skill and the right drop of humility, and a passion for right, proper, good music.”Ralph McTell

“Ken Nicol is a consummate musician. A guitarist of broad scope, a sensitive singer and an intelligent writer of songs with stirring melodies. A musical paragon.”Maddy Prior“

It’s difficult for me to imagine a more talented all rounder than Ken; both as singer and guitarist.”Ashley Hutchings“Prodigiously talented.”Clive Pownceby (BBC Radio 2)KEN NICOL'S "INITIAL VARIATIONS"

Doors at 8pm, seated show.

Description supplied by the event organiser.