Description

Jon Doran & The Northern Assembly are a groundbreaking new collaboration who seek to capture the excitement that lies within traditional song. The trio aims to breathe new life into old stories from across the British Isles, injecting the energy they feel these narratives deserve.?

With striking vocals from Jon Doran (BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Finalist 2019), combined with the virtuosic playing of Jordan Aikin ("trailblazer? - Calum MacCrimmon, Breabach), and Heather Ferrier ("accordion virtuoso? ? Tom Robinson), the trio perform
songs that create ?a cohesive musical framework with intricately layered arrangements, each song from the traditional folk canon unfolding a vivid drama? (Folk London).

Their eponymous debut EP, released in 2024, gained an overwhelming amount of positive feedback and secured airplay on shows such as BBC Radio 2, BBC Introducing North East, and BBC Radio Lincolnshire. ?Filled to the brim with energy, excitement and a lust for life? (TradFolk), the trio move away from a conventional folk-song performance style and lean heavily upon their varied musical upbringings and experiences to conjure emotions and communicate a story far deeper than the words of the song. They blur the lines between two contrasting sides of the folk genre - the bright, vibrant energy of contemporary instrumental folk music, and the intensity of traditional storytelling songs. KLOF describe their songs as ?overflowing with ideas for the production of imaginative, entertaining music?.

Louise & Chris Rogan are an award winning daughter and father Folk Duo. Described as having a ?pure and soaring voice?, Louise plays the piano and is a singer of the highest quality. Chris adds tastefully gentle and subtle guitar and backing vocals. Whether in the intimate surroundings of a Folk Club or the grand setting of a Festival?s main stage, Louise and Chris have a ?relaxed and engaging manner? with their audiences and are regularly invited back - the greatest of all compliments. They?re certain to sound very special in the church setting!

?Flawless performers? - ?With his guitar and vocals added to Louise?s piano and wonderful vocal, the pairing is one which sits so easily with one another?, Tim Fox, FATEA Magazine.

This gig is part of Otley Music Festival 2025 and superb support will come from 3 highly regarded local acts:

Hazjak are Yorkshire duo Steve Chapman Smith and Lynne O'Malley, both well known and respected musicians on the Northern acoustic scene. Together they play an eclectic style of Roots, Americana and Folk music.

Chris (CJ) Smith has been a popular and respected rock and blues musician across West Yorkshire for six decades. As an art student at Ealing Art College in the late sixties, he played in a band called Smile with Brian May and Roger Taylor, and wrote songs with Frederick Bulsara. He became Freddie Mercury - and Smile became Queen. For Otley Music Festival Chris will be performing a set of acoustic songs, accompanied by Matt Evens on piano.

Malcolm Connell is a respected Otley-based singer/songwriter in the folk tradition. Malcolm has a superb voice.

Description

Kirkgate West,

Otley,

West Yorkshire,

England,

LS21 3HW.