Blowzabella

Blowzabella is a folk band formed in Whitechapel, London, UK in 1978 by Bill O'Toole who reconstructed the English bagpipe. Being instrument makers they brought back the extinct English bagpipes and Hurdy-Gurdy back into UK music as well as French and Macedonian dances at their ceilidhs. They have lasted over 40 years and there are over 100 French folk dance clubs in the UK at present. The name of the band was found by founding member Dave Armitage and comes from a tune found by the band in Wright's “Complete Collection of Celebrated Country Dancing” (late 17th century). Their first break through album was in summer 1982 and No 4 in the Melody Maker Folk Albums Chart UK. They later composed their own music which is influenced by English and European traditional folk music and song. Many of their tunes are “standards” in the modern British/European folk repertoire and are played by people all over the world. Paul James (who joined in 1981) took over managing the band from late 1982 and the line-up changed subsequently over the years. Jon Swayne is the only original member.

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