the members

the members

Hilary Coleman (vocals, soprano and bass clarinets)

A Calstock girl, Hilary grew up on the Tamar river, flashboat and gig racing. It was here she soaked up Cornwall's great pub singing tradition - later interpreting this music on the clarinet too. Hilary is well known to fans of Cornish music at home and abroad, having been a founder member of much loved band Gwaryoryon and the ground-breaking Sowena.She is at the forefront of the revival of interest in the clarinet as a traditional instrument in Cornwall, where it was popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries.She is now one of the leading authorities on Cornish traditional music and her company Cumpas Ltd. has an impressive track record in promoting Cornish music events and education. In 2004 she became a bard of the Cornish Gorseth.

Neil Davey (bouzouki,mandolin,fiddle)

Neil, a Newquay boy, was born into a musical family in which mandolins go back several generations. He and his brothers kick started the current revival in Cornish traditional music in the 1970s with their band Bucca, the first band to record a professional album of traditional Cornish tunes & songs. Neil went on to gain a wealth of experience with other bands in the wider Celtic scene, including The Lorraine Jordan Band and Anam. He has played throughout the world, appearing alongside legendary names in Celtic music such as Altan, Donal Lunny, Dougie Maclean, Martin Hayes, Solas and Patrick Street. He is now certainly Cornish traditional music's most travelled and widely known musician.

Bec Applebee (vocals, percussion, scoot dancing)

An engaging and astonishingly versatile performer, Bec is respected equally as a musician and actor, and known internationally as a member of Kneehigh and Wildworks Theatre.

Steve Hunt (guitar, crowdy crawn and vocals)

Steve’s immersion in Cornish music follows years playing predominately Irish music on the UK folk circuit, with occasional forays into Ireland and other parts of Europe. His strongly rhythmic accompaniments have featured on several recordings.