Eagle Music 20th Anniversary Deering Banjo 2023 Event - Information Update
Our fast approaching 20th Anniversary Deering Banjo Event promises to be one to remember and we could not be more excited to share it with you on 11th November 2023 from 10.30am at The North Light Gallery (behind Eagle Music Shop), Brooke’s Mill, Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield, HD4 7NR. Join us along with Greg, Janet and Jamie Deering for this very special celebration featuring an amazing line-up of world class musicians topped off with an evening showcase concert.
The Kruger Brothers
For this occasion, we are privileged to welcome back The Kruger Brothers who have been delighting us at every one of our Deering events since the first one in 2007. If you have been lucky enough to attend a previous event, you’ll surely agree with us that their other-worldly musicianship and stage presence is surely one to witness.
Born and raised in Europe, brothers Jens and Uwe Kruger started singing and playing instruments at a very young age. Growing up in a family where music was an important part of life, they were exposed to a wide diversity of musical influences. The brothers were performing regularly by the time they were eleven and twelve years old, and they began their professional career in 1979. Jens’ and Uwe’s first public performances were as a duo, and in just a few years they were busking on the streets of cities throughout eastern and western Europe.
CBS Records contracted with Jens and Uwe when Jens was just seventeen years old, and shortly thereafter, the Krugers hosted a radio show on SRG SSR, the Swiss Public broadcast group. Several years later, the brothers teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, a native of New York City who also had a very extensive musical upbringing in classical and jazz music (studying with jazz great Milt Hinton), thus forming a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995. Together, they established the incomparable sound that The Kruger Brothers are known for today. The trio moved to the United States in 2002 and is based in Wilkesboro, NC.
Since their formal introduction to American audiences in 1997, The Kruger Brothers’ remarkable discipline, creativity and their ability to infuse classical music into folk music has resulted in a unique sound that has made them a fixture within the world of acoustic music. The honesty of their writing has since become a hallmark of the trio’s work.
In their ever-expanding body of work – Jens Kruger (banjo and vocals), Uwe Kruger (guitar and lead vocals), and Joel Landsberg (bass and vocals) – The Kruger Brothers personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition. Their original music is crafted around their discerning taste, and the result is unpretentious, cultivated, and delightfully fresh.
In addition to their regular concert schedule, The Kruger Brothers perform these classical pieces regularly with select symphony orchestras and string quartets throughout the country.
Through their numerous CD releases, radio and television performances, lectures, and collaborative efforts, The Kruger Brothers’ powerful artistic statement continues to inspire and enlighten audiences and musicians around the world.
Ashley Campbell and Thor Jensen
With this year being our 20th Anniversary, we thought we’d make this event extra special and we couldn’t be prouder to have Ashley Campbell and Thor Jensen gracing our stage as the main support act.
They both form a unique meeting of musical genres as the duo Campbell/Jensen. With Ashley coming from the world of country and Americana and Thor having a diverse background from rock to gypsy jazz, they create a fresh sound as a duo. Ashley Campbell, daughter of country legend Glen Campbell began her career playing in her father’s band on several world tours and has found success as a solo artist in the country music scene; most notably with her debut single “Remembering” which she wrote for her father. Her original music has taken her all over the world, from China to Japan, to the mainstage at London’s O2 Arena to opening for Kris Kristofferson and the Bellamy Brothers. She has also been spotlighted for her banjo playing with Rascal Flatts in the music video for their hit single “Banjo”.
Thor Jensen, a virtuoso guitarist and songwriter from New York has travelled many different roads. From touring the world with Hazmat Modine, playing Americana with Quiet Life opening for the likes of Dr. Dog, Portugal. The Man and Shovels and Rope, then onto joining the Stephane Wrembel Band, playing the music of Django Reinhardt, performing at Carnegie Hall and all over the world, all the while immersing himself in New York’s jazz scene. Ashley and Thor met in late 2021 and have been playing music together ever since. Both being strong instrumentalists in addition to the combination of Thor’s deep baritone and Ashley’s clear-as-a-bell vocals, together they make a one of a kind blend. Ashley and Thor released a cover of the Tom Waits song ‘Long Way Home’ in June 2022.
In January 2023 Campbell/Jensen hired a cottage on an Island North of Northern Ireland, Turtle Cottage. There they brought in a portable Studio and engineers and recorded Campbell/Jensen Debut album. Due to be released in the Autumn of 2023.
In addition to her highly-anticipated performance, Ashley Campbell will also be holding an exclusive banjo technique workshop for us in the afternoon of the event (time to be confirmed). The price of the workshop is £15 and you can book it directly with Rachel at rachel@eaglemusicshop.com
Dan Walsh
We are also very grateful to welcome back down to the stage the one and only Dan Walsh who will be performing a set for us during the day.
The BBC Folk Awards Best Musician nominee combines ‘virtuoso playing and winning songwriting’ (MORNING STAR). Describing what Dan does is no easy task but at the heart of it is British, Irish and American folk music delivered with a healthy dose of funky grooves – all performed with his unique and dazzling take on clawhammer style banjo helping to challenge all preconceptions about the instrument. Add to all that poignant songs, astonishing musical departures and lively humour and the result is a truly memorable live show which has wowed audiences across the world from intimate seated rooms to huge dancing crowds in festival fields.
Walsh has recorded seven solo albums to much critical acclaim. Most recently he returned to his first love and recorded ‘O’Neill’s Tunes’ – a collection of traditional Irish tunes played in his unique take on clawhammer style which was described as ‘expertly played’ and ‘difficult to find any fault with’ by Songlines magazine as well as receiving airplay on BBC Radio 2. He is an in demand performer with a hectic touring schedule in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and throughout Europe. He has also released two banjo tablature books including a very successful book of clawhammer arrangements of Irish folk tunes which inspired the O’Neill’s album.
Gayle Skidmore
We are so pleased to welcome back our dear friend Gayle Skidmore. Seven-time San Diego Music Award nominee, Gayle has written over 2500 songs since she began songwriting at the age of 8. Her natural ability and innate passion for music made her music career inevitable, and her tumultuous life has given her plenty of inspiration. Translating her experiences into song has been more than just personally fulfilling. Gayle Skidmore won Best Pop in the 2015 San Diego Music Awards, Best Pop Album for “Sleeping Bear” in 2014, and Best Singer-Songwriter in 2013. Classically trained on the piano from the age of 4, Gayle Skidmore also plays over 20 other instruments, including the mountain dulcimer, banjo, folk harp and balalaika. Her duet with Jens Kruger at our 2020 event was a very special moment indeed.
As you can imagine, the banjo will be in the spotlight all day and night but this year we also wanted that spotlight to be shared with … you.
Over the last 20 years, we have proudly become a hub for so many musicians from all levels and backgrounds and we wanted to give that community a slot in our great line-up with our Customer Spotlight Hour!
Around 4pm, our stage will be all yours to shine on for an open-mic-like hour of live music. We would love to see many of you involved to share a song or tune of your choice.
For the smooth running of the event, we kindly ask anyone interested in performing to book a slot in advance by sending the following to lucas@eaglemusicshop.com:
- Contact name
- Contact number
- Act name (if applicable)
- Number of musicians within the act (max. 2)
- Instruments used and number of microphones needed.
All levels and abilities are welcome but please also take note of the following before getting in touch:
- The act needs to use at least one banjo
- Each slot will be of 5 minutes so please make sure that you stick to that timing and that you plan your performance accordingly
- We will have microphones ready so you don’t need to have a pickup fitted on your instrument
- You need to have purchased a ticket for the event
We appreciate that the slots available are limited so make sure you come forth and book early to secure your slot!
We are still working on final arrangements but the day will be packed with on-stage performances, workshops, group jam, picking sessions and not forgetting the Eagle Music trade stall with an outstanding display of Deering banjos and extensive banjo accessories.
Tickets are now available to purchase here and are, as one might expect, selling fast.
We look forward to seeing you and celebrating this special milestone together with our dear customers, staff and in the presence of the Deering family and such special artists.
Here’s a little montage of photos and videos of our Banjo Event over the years.