JACQUI McSHEE’S PENTANGLE
Friday 20.05 - 21.15

Jacqui McShee was already singing traditional folk in British folk clubs when she began working with virtuosic acoustic guitarist John Renbourne in 1966. A year later, she agreed to join Pentangle, a band Renbourne was forming with equally skillful guitarist Bert Jansch, bassist Danny Thompson, and percussionist/drummer Terry Cox. McShee's decision to accept Renbourne's invitation proved pivotal to the history of British music as Pentangle joined with Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span to put British folk-rock on the international map.

 Although Pentangle experienced numerous personnel changes, McShee and Jansch continued to perform under the band's name. In 1995, McShee formed a trio with drummer Gerry Conway and keyboardist Spencer Cozens. The trio's first album, About Thyme, released in August 1994, featured such guests as Ralph McTell, Albert Lee, Mike Mainieri, and John Martyn. The album reached the top of the British folk charts compiled by Folk Roots in November 1995. Expanding to a five-piece band with the addition of tenor and soprano saxophonist Jerry Underwood and bassist/guitarist Alan Thompson, the trio was renamed Jacqui McShee's Pentangle.

“Glorious stuff, deeply atmospheric and immaculately sung and played. The current line-up of Pentangle kicks up an absolute storm and Jacqui’s voice is gorgeous.”  - Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

Gerry Conway - DRUMS - One of the country’s most respected drummers and a member of Fairport Convention since 1998. His history of touring and recording is a Who’s Who of the music world with artists including Paul McCartney, Van Morrison, Jethro Tull, Cat Stevens, Alexis Korner, Fotheringay, Elton John, Emmylou Harris and Richard Ashcroft.

Spencer Cozens - KEYBOARDS & VOCALS - Regularly tours the world with Joan Armatrading.  He toured and recorded with John Martyn and also performs with Carol Decker’s T’Pau and Julia Fordham.

Alan Thomson - BASS - Another long-term member of John Martyn’s Band and an accomplished song-writer. His touring and writing credits include Robert Palmer,  Rick Wakeman,  Andy Summers,  Bo Diddley,  Denny Laine  and  Long  John Baldry.

Gary Foote - SAX & FLUTE - A multi-talented musician, playing drums as well as sax on Joan Armatrading’s world tours. Amongst the people Gary has made music with are Africa Bambaata, Chris Birkett, Laurel Aitken , Skinny, Kiss of Life, Black Machine, The Quiet Boys (featuring Mick Talbot), Night Trains, Peter Bruntnell, Herbalizer, Big Cheese All Stars, Zoot Money, Sugar "T" and the Swells, Mark Flanagan, Jools Holland, plus countless other great musicians.

Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle is the definitive modern folk band.Rooted in the ethos of the original Pentangle, the modern incarnation features the best musicians playing the best music.

Known for their brilliantly successful combination of traditional and non-traditional, Pentangle forged a whole new era in folk. Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle continues thus and over the decades has further refined the music and performance, constantly amazing and delighting audiences at gigs and festivals.

The original band played such stellar gigs as the Isle-of-Wight festivals (1969 & 1970), Newport Folk Festival, Fillmore East and West, Carnegie Hall and The Royal Festival Hall. Going way beyond traditional folk they created a new music rooted in jazz, folk and blues. It was no surprise that Pentangle were billed alongside greats such as Miles Davis, Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Dylan and The Band.

Pentangle founder member Jacqui McShee is the central link right back to the first days of the original band. Subsequent line-ups have always featured her unmistakeable voice and approach with the best contemporary players interpreting the songs and music in ever more diverse ways.

https://www.pentangle.info/