©Alnwick International Music Festival 2012. Website design by Andrew Duff

The Keelers (George, Jim, Alan and Peter, above) have been performing and recording together since 1986.

Alan Fitzsimmons is their main harmony singer, a great Tyneside voice and one of the northeast's greatest interpreters of traditional song. He also has a great knack of putting fine tunes to songs.

Jim Mageean’s knowledge of sea songs is matched by infectious enthusiasm and a powerful voice. He has a particular interest in shanties from the West Indies.

George Unthank is a founder member of Redcar Long Sword Dancers, and has performed with them for over thirty years. Also a songwriter.

Peter Wood is a baritone who tends to sing bass harmony in the group. An established singer and musician since the early 60s and a member of many groups including the High Level Ranters and the Johnny Handle Band.

Northumbrian Evening performers in 2010

Rachel Hales (Fiddle and Viola) and Nathan Armstrong (Accordion) are students from the Folk and Traditional Music Degree course at Newcastle University.

Rachel is a trained classical musician with a growing interest in traditional music. Nathan is a local lad from Shilbottle and a former pupil at the Duchess’s School.

The Monkseaton Morrismen and Folk Dance Club are top exponents of the traditional dances of Northumbria and one of the leading folk dance groups in England. Founded in 1955 with the aim of raising a small but highly competent team of dancers and musicians, able and willing to give authentic performances at the highest possible standard of English traditional dances, in particular the dances of their own region of Northumbria.  

Fred Calvert has been performing as a comedian on stage (off and on) for over 60 years. His first public role was in a play staged in Alnwick Castle when aged 11. He has performed at many venues throughout the north-east, most recently as compere at a Gala Concert in The City Hall, Newcastle.   

Alice Burn (Northumbrian Smallpipes) is an extremely talented local musician, studying at the prestigious St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh. She has played with many local groups including BorderBox and Folkestra, and it is a great privilege for us to have this exciting young virtuoso performing in Alnwick.

Alec Swailes MBE from Rothbury is a retired headmaster with a great love of the Northumbrian language, which he uses to dramatic effect in songs, stories and recitations. Alec is the regular compere for these Northumbrian Evening concerts, but this year will also have his own slot as a performer. Accompanied by Kathy Anderson on piano and Colin Bradford (the organiser of this evening’s concert) on accordion, Alec will be singing some popular and also some less well-known Northumbrian songs.