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Jeffries Duettist Mike Hebbert At Frittenden 26Th April


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We're delighted that entertaining Jeffries duet maestro Mike Hebbert has agreed to return to Frittenden to feature in the regular free end-of-the-month session on the 26th April - the last of the season.


If you're interested in concertina playing, live in the south-east and haven't yet heard him play, this really should be an unmissable event. I don't think anyone forgets the first time they hear him - I certainly haven't as he inspired me to take up the instrument. Just think of it - TWO Jeffries duet players in ONE room! Is this breaking the laws of physics?


The session starts at 8pm, and we'll ask Mike to chip in three short sets of three items, as usual. No doubt it will another night to remember, as Mike takes his little box through an astonishing range of musical forms - last time, in addition to his famous performance of the Dambusters March, I remember he also played material ranging from tango to slow Irish airs.


In the usual Frittenden way, there will also be lots of time for tunes and songs (and anything else that's follows our usual agenda of trad, old fashioned and entertaining) from session attenders. Contact gmatkin@gmail for information.


In the meantime, here's what Mike has to say:


'Concertinas are uncommon enough instruments and Jeffries duets are the most uncommon type of concertina - but Gavin Atkin plays one of these oddities, and so does this evening's guest Michael Hebbert.


'Michael was born in Glasgow, grew up in Blackburn Lancs and began his performing career in Wallingford Oxon as a pub musician and dance band leader, contributing to Ashley Hutchings's Kicking Up the Sawdust (Harvest SHSP4073) and releasing his own LP The Rampin' Cat (named after the pub, Free Reed FRR 009).


'On the folk circuit he has a long-standing double act with singer Andrew Frank and his concertina classes and workshops have featured at Kilve, Witney, Swaledale, Bradfield and the English Country Music Weekend.


'With a huge repertoire of tunes from many traditions, Michael shows the tremendous versatility of the instruments made by the Jeffries brothers. A triumph of late Victorian craftsmanship measuring only 6in across, the little squeezebox packs the essence of the music whether it's blazing away like a fairground organ, punching a tango rhythm, or unfurling the long melody of an Irish slow air fit to break your heart.'


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I wish I was nearer so that I could add my own Jeffries duet to the party - perhaps then we would reach some sort of critical mass that would involve dark matter causing the mutation of all concertinas into Jeffries-system instruments :lol:

 

 

I would rather be interested in a transformation into sounding-like-a-Jeffries instruments... :D

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I'm always delighted to hear of other Jeffries duet players - so it's good to hear from you Stuart. From your reply, I'd say you clearly have a typical duet-player's mind...

 

Now, how many Jeffries duettists are there playing now? We should try to connect and meet as we travel about...

 

I like to think that Frittenden's just about doable in an evening if you've got a car and live on the eastern or southern sides of London.

 

Gavin

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