Rising star on song at folk club

The gig of the week, for my money, is Jennifer Crook and her band at Bath Folk Club this Sunday evening and that's not just because I am the support act.

Bath-based Jenny used to be best known as a virtuoso Celtic harpist but she has now found her voice as a singer and songwriter of considerable talent.

She first came to prominence with the award-winning duo Cythara and went on work in a variety of acclaimed bands including Elephant Talk, Madigan and the Rain Kings.

The release of her solo album of original songs A Few Small Things earlier this year has been yet another turning point in an ever-progressive career. In fact my favourite song on the album, A Bicycle In Need Of Repair, reached the semi-finals of the UK Songwriting Contest this autumn out of more than 6,200 entries resulting in numerous radio plays.

Her intensely lyrical and beautifully measured songs are filled with romance and regret added to which is popular appeal and quirky humour.

It a testimony to how highly she is regarded that her band includes a number of internationally respected and locally based musicians including leading concertina Rob Harbron, Maclaine Colston on hammered-dulcimer, Bethany Porter on cello and Josh Clark on percussion.

There will be a musicians session at the start of the evening as well as open mike spots.

Rosie Upton