A big welcome back to MOM for BBC Folk Awards Best Musician nominee Dan Walsh. 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.
He has recorded five albums to much critical acclaim and 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 his first banjo tablature book ‘Tabs From The Vaults’. Both solo and as a member of the award winning Urban Folk Quartet, as well as guest appearances on stage with artists such as Imelda May, Joss Stone and the Levellers, this unique and eclectic musician has stunned audiences across the world.
His eclectic and innovative approach has led to many exciting collaborations alongside his solo work and the UFQ. The latest is the all new Dan Walsh trio with award winning fiddler Ciaran Algar and mandolin maestro Nic Zuppardi. He also works in duos with North East concertina legend Alistair Anderson and fellow banjoist John Dowling, combining beautiful harmonies with red-hot picking. Other work has included tours with sensational Indian sarangi player Suhail Yusuf Khan and Canadian country singer Meaghan Blanchard. Dan is also an in demand session musician with recent guest appearances, on stage or in the studio, with the likes of Imelda May, Joss Stone, Seth Lakeman, the Levellers, Duane Eddy, Martin Simpson and even the City of London Sinfonia.
Dan teaches at Newcastle and Sheffield universities and teaches banjo both in person and over Skype and is the only international banjoist to be invited to teach at the Midwest Banjo Camp in the USA.