Sandra Kerr Performer

Performer

Solo Performances:

These reflect my love of the traditional songs of these islands, and of the North East of England in particular, and of it’s dance music, which I play on English Concertina.
There is self-composed material on subjects ranging from historical narratives to political satire and from children’s songs to diatribes against ageing.
I also play guitar, Appalachian dulcimer and autoharp, and a pretty nifty set of spoons…

‘Whittingham Fair’, a Northumbrian version of ‘Scarborough Fair’, showed off the clarity of Sandra’s voice, which at its best is strong and true. ‘Hopping in Kent’, a song learned from her mother in the East End of London, was accompanied by the spoons — which sadly moved far too quickly to photograph! Throughout the evening Sandra moved smoothly from guitar to autoharp to concertina, seemingly equally at home on all.

Another notable moment came with Leon Rosselson’s ‘My Daughter, My Son’, the story of a mother whose fear for the safety of her children causes her to lock them up. Sandra’s concertina playing was particularly effective here, with a sinister background tune that was almost cinematic.

Sandra Kerr treats the whole audience as friends and creates an atmosphere that is relaxed and welcoming. I wandered off, satisfied, humming ‘The Bony King of Nowhere’.

Betty Hagglund

Sisters Unlimited:

SK says ‘ performing with my ‘sisters’ is one of the great pleasures in my life.

All four of us are well-established solo singers & musicians plus Rosie is a great dancer. Together we have performed with the "wit and wisdom of womankind" for over 25 years. More about Sisters Unlimited here . .

“I just don’t know of any act which so brilliantly combines the musical effectiveness, the human warmth, the cutting edge and the sheer vivacity…”
Nigel Wright - Raise Your Banners Festival

Other performance:

Anti-Capitalist Roadshow

SK says ‘I am part of ‘The Anti-Capitalist Roadshow which is a collective of singers and songwriters: Frankie Armstrong, Roy Bailey, Robb Johnson, Reem Kelani, Grace Petrie, Leon Rosselson, Janet Russell, Peggy Seeger, Jim Woodland plus one socialist magician, Ian Saville.
We are part of the resistance to a capitalism that functions only on behalf of the wealthy, that aims to shrink the public sphere and privatise public services, including the NHS, and that is destructive to the planet.
We are part of another way of looking at the world.
More about the Anti-Capitalist Roadshow here . . .

Describing themselves as a "collective of singers and songwriters, plus one magician, opposed to the ideologically driven austerity programme imposed by this millionaire government", the Roadshow consists of 11 angry musicians from a remarkable variety of age groups.
There's the impressive Grace Petrie from Leicester, who sounds like a young female version of Billy Bragg in both her lyrics and phrasing, and matches songs about austerity and the rich getting richer with the thoughtful and personal Protest Singer Blues.
Then there's Robb Johnson with the singalong Be Reasonable ("and demand the impossible"), Reem Kelani with an oud-backed anthem from Tunisia, and – best of all – two distinguished folk-scene veterans.
Leon Rosselson is now in his mid-70s, but still in fiery and witty form with Benefits and Looters, while Peggy Seeger reworks a swinging song from the 1930s with a rousing call of "Let's go to St Paul's and occupy!"

Robin Denselow - The Guardian

With Taffy Thomas

"Story teller Taffy Thomas and singer-musician Sandra Kerr combine their considerable talents to present an evening of stories and songs to delight, to cheer and captivate you."

With Voice Union

Formed in 1996, Voice Union with Liliana Bertolo (from the Val d'Aoste region of north west Italy) and Evelyne Girardon (France).

With The Bagpuss Show

With the delightful and musically brilliant addition of Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, John Faulkener and I present a live show of the music and songs and some of the stories from the Bagpuss series.
We’ve played theatres all over the country, and many folk festivals, including Cambridge, Sidmouth and Whitby, to great acclaim. More here . . .