Simon Thoumire and Ian Carr

A very rare two-night tour with two astonishing musicians.

Concertina player Simon and guitarist Ian first met in 1988 in the inaugural BBC Radio 2 Young Tradition Award. Neither of them won it, but Simon returned in 1989 to take the prize. As part of the win they both ended up at Sidmouth Folk Festival and this is where they put their first set of reels together. Soon after this they made their first LP HOOTZ! on Black Crow Records in 1990.

Ian has played with Karen Tweed, Swap, 2 Duos Quartet, Kate Rusby and many many more. Simon moved more into folk jazz fusion and formed the Simon Thoumire Three, Keep it Up and a duo with David Milligan. Both have played extensively all round the world and recorded many CDs.

Simon is the Director of the Scots Trad Music Awards, where SEALL recently was voted as ‘Venue of the Year’. Tonight we return the compliment!
“The brilliantly puckish pairing of concertina player Simon Thoumire and guitarist Ian Carr rendered even tunes as classic as The Mason’s Apron and Calliope House magically afresh, teeming with joyous virtuosity.” Sue Wilson