Jamie Smith's Mabon

==About the music:==

The music of Jamie Smith's Mabon is well described as Original, Interceltic, World Music. Composed by frontman Jamie Smith, and brought to life by six highly accomplished musicians, it draws inspiration directly from the traditional folk music of the Celtic countries. This is not Welsh music, nor Scottish or Irish; this is Interceltic music, a true exploration of forms and styles found in Celtic music and their forging into something bold and new.

Jamie’s ambitious compositions are founded on a deep knowledge of folk dance music and a creative instinct and imagination, inspired, yet unfettered by the constraints of tradition. His passion and understanding of folk tunes is prevalent throughout Jamie Smith's Mabon’s sound, from the choosing of material – jigs and reels share space with other dance-related forms such as Breton an dro, French mazurka, and Galician muiñera – down to the minute, ornamental variations and nuances that give the tunes their authentic character.

More than anything it is the emotional content of the traditional music that Jamie seeks to embed in his own work; the sorrow, the joy and most of all the sheer energy at the heart of this uplifting genre of music. Expect to find all of these qualities in Jamie Smith's Mabon’s music; it is designed to move you, both physically and emotionally, to draw you in with a moment of pure drama then cut you loose with some irresistible fun.

==About the band:==

Jamie Smith's Mabon’s current six-piece line-up has been playing together since January 2011 when the band Mabon disbanded and relaunched as Jamie Smith's Mabon. Today’s band evolved from a traditional Welsh four-piece band, which formed in 2000. Two original members remain – Jamie, and drummer Iolo.

Jamie Smith's Mabon is an instrumental band led by Jamie Smith on accordion, Oli Wilson-Dickson on fiddle and Calum Stewart on wooden flute. These three musicians share a musical rapport that allows them flow seamlessly between incredibly tight tune-playing and open, multi-layered textures.

Jamie, 27, lives in Risca in South Wales. Oli, 33, lives in Herefordshire and is one of the most respected fiddlers in England and Wales, with a CV that includes The Devil’s Violin, Szapora, Teá Hodzic Trio and The Ian MacMillan Orchestra. Calum Stewart is the leading exponent of wooden flute playing in Scotland. Aged 27 and from Morayshire, Calum is a Young Scottish Musician of the Year finalist who has recently released his debut solo album, Earlywood , to critical acclaim.

The three tune players are joined onstage by Adam Rhodes on bouzouki, Matt Downer on bass guitar and upright bass, and Iolo Whelan on drums and percussion. Adam is originally from the Isle of Man and is now based in Edinburgh. Matt Downer, 25, is the youngest and coolest member of the band! He recently graduated from a music degree in jazz at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama conservatoire in Cardiff and is now fully immersed in the city’s music scene. Iolo Whelan, 36, lives in the Vale of Glamorgan, where he runs his own drum studio. He also studied jazz at the RWCMD conservatoire, where he met Matt and consequently formed the tastiest backline in folk music today!

The Jamie Smith's Mabon rhythm section is all about supporting and enhancing the natural rhythms in the tunes. Instrumentally, their presence escalates the band’s sound from its traditional, acoustic foundations to a bigger, grander soundscape. Labels such as ‘folk-rock’ and ‘fusion’ may make them wince, but they can certainly pack a lot of groove!

==Past successes and achievements:==

In its previous incarnation as Mabon, the band has been privileged to perform at concerts and festivals in countries all over the world. The band tours annually in Brittany and Italy and has also visited Poland, Galicia, Asturias, Ireland, Belgium, Canada, Mexico and Australia. Back in the U.K. they already have a long list of appearances behind them at festivals such as Cambridge, Sidmouth, Cropredy's Fairport Convention, Larmer Tree, Towersey, Warwick, Fylde, Brampton Live, WOMAD, and a memorable headline appearance at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, playing to a seated audience of 1,500 people.

Mabon currently has two studio albums on release – Ridiculous Thinkers (2004) and OK Pewter (2007) – and has sold over 12,000 cds worldwide, receiving critical acclaim from magazines such as fRoots, Songlines, Rock ‘n’ Reel and Irish Music Magazine. Due to its continuing success OK Pewter was re-released through Proper Music Distribution in August 2009 and is now available in all good record stores.

In the Autumn of 2009 Mabon embarked on its first major U.K. tour, taking in theatres and arts centres in Wales, England, Jersey, Isle of Man and Isle of Wight. The tour was a huge success, with twenty-six shows in thirty-two days and substantial press, radio and television coverage including performances for itv Wales and S4C.

In October 2010 the band officially released its debut live album, Live at the Grand Pavilion, through Proper Music Distribution. The album, which was recorded on the OK UK Tour 2009, includes a CD (recorded live at the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl) and a bonus DVD (filmed live at Quay Arts Centre, Isle of Wight). It features new tracks such as The Tale of Nikolai, The Dancing Bear and The Buck Rarebit, as well as older favourites such as Easy on the Reels and File Under Biddley. The album received widespread critical acclaim as well as a Spiral Award for Best Instrumental Album of 2010.

==2011 and beyond==

Appearances since Mabon was relaunched as Jamie Smith's Mabon in January 2011 have included a launch gig at Celtic Connections, Glasgow, a return to Llangollen International Eisteddfod and an appearance on the Radio 3 stage at the world-renowned WOMAD festival. Look out for the latest news on the Jamie Smith's Mabon homepage and concerts list at www.jamiesmithsmabon.com.