Karen Tweed's blank

Welcome to my website. I'm delighted to announce that my solo CD, 'Essentially Invisible to the Eye' is being released in March 2012 but I have copies available now from the merchandise page of my website.
Produced by the brilliant Bruce Molsky, it brings together some of my own compositions like 'Miss Hanoria Macnamara of Ballybunion' together with traditional and newly composed melodies that have touched me over many years of performing and playing. It's a solo suite, quite autobiographical and, for me, a departure from the many collaborative projects I have always played in. It's all performed on my 72 bass Pigini piano accordion, supplied by The Music Room in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire. I'm delighted with this recording and it was a great honour to work with Bruce Molsky (who, along with Colum Sands and Lorraine Carpenter encouraged me to do it). I would also sincerely like to thank Cliff and Jenny Baylis and Vanessa Bradley for all their support in my music. I hope you enjoy it. Click on this link for more information and click here to listen to a sample track.
Some of the reviews so far:-

"…and none of this lovely music falls short of expectations. I honestly can't remember the last time I enjoyed folk-music as much"… Paul Pledger, Allgigs.co.uk. Read whole review here: http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/review/6125/Karen_Tweed_Essentially_Invisible_To_The_Eye_Album_Review.html

"At the end of Essentially Invisible To The Eye, which comes all too soon, I realised that I'd spent over 40 minutes just listening to one woman and her accordion, not something I'd have believed I'd have done at the start, now that does prove what a talent Karen Tweed is." Neil King, FATEA
Read whole review here: http://www.fatea-magazine.co.uk/

"…beautifully presented and judged… an album to which we’ll return." Iain Anderson, BBC Radio Scotland

Irish traditional music was my first love, but I've also delved into Scottish, Swedish, Danish and the music of New England through some great collaborations down the years.... and between tours I teach both privately and at workshops and folk degree courses.

" Tweed's sensibilities straddle classical and traditional modes with the agility of Margot Fonteyn and the fluency of someone bi-lingual since birth. This is a music tethered to neither a time nor a location”. Siobhan Long of the Irish Times.

To arrange bookings and tuition please contact Lorraine Carpenter on:
+44 117 904 1870 / +44 7929 135744 or email: lorraine@differentstrings.co.uk

Karen Tweed is the mercurial, wacky and elegant English accordion queen, known for her inspirational teaching and ground breaking collaborations. Since deciding to pursue a musical career in the late 1980s, Karen has risen to become one of the leading lights on the UK and international folk scenes working with amongst others Kathryn Tickell, The Poozies, Swap, Two Duos Quartet, Hell Said the Duchess and May Monday. She’s also a stunning soloist, her musical approach is informed by tradition yet crucially breaks convention and takes acoustic music into a new realm.

Her latest adventure is the No 1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra, a fountain of fabulous female accordionists, presenting arrangements that cascade effortlessly from Piazzola to polskas; Stevie Wonder to Wish Me Luck as you Wave Me Goodbye; musettes and swing waltzes to tango. This stunning new orchestra brings together accordion gals from all around the UK with a shifting line-up of up to 16 performers as well as showcases by smaller ensembles and soloists. It’s an orchestra the likes of which has never been seen or heard before, promising fun, frocks and musical frolics! The LAO also has a fund-raising element supporting various charities including Teenage Cancer Trust, Fosbrooks and St Rocks Youth Music Groups, Ashokan Music Camps and The Accordion Bank.

“What Tweed has done is further liberate the piano accordion from the oompah band stereotypes and demonstrate the instrument’s full melodicism.” Irish Echo

Right now, I'm busy planning private lessons and accordion workshops, so if you'd like to book a place / slot, please email me on: caroltinkle@yahoo.co.uk . Private lessons are £35 per hour.

I'm now teaching every month in Droitwich. One hour private tuition slots are available from January - April. If you are interested, please email: caroltinkle@yahoo.co.uk
with 'DROITWICH LESSONS' in the header.

I am also running Accordion Workshop Days in S. Bristol.

Each workshop day will be about sharpening up your technique (especially on bellows and bass) using folk music from Ireland, the UK and Scandinavia.

There are some very exciting new cds on the horizon - especially solo ones and my old friend Peter McAlinden has just brought out his solo Tin Whistle CD entitled 'Happy To Meet, Sorry To Part' and it's available in the merchandise section of my website. Peter is an extraordinary musician who I have known since I was in my teens; his influence on me in every way is immense and I'm SO delighted that he has produced this beautifully crafted recording.

I do believe that Becky Price is recording her solo CD at the moment, too which will be gorgeous. . .

Lastly, I'm finally getting around to bringing out 'Bootleg Panini', the cd of the cassette I made when I was 22 with Adrian Burns - news about that soon. It's a pile of reels, jigs and tunes I loved to play in sessions accompanied by Adrian's subtle and driving guitar. . . and should be available in early December!

Have a very sunny time!

xK

I`m continuing with my series of fundraising events over the next 18 months for some very deserving causes including Teenage Cancer Trust, Norwich and Norfolk Association for the Blind, Overstrand Accordion Bank and the Belfry Arts Centre plus two great youth community music groups in Stockport and Glasgow. One of the main vehicles for this is my No 1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra, so keep checking my Gig list. . . . but there will also be dances, concerts and beautifully bizarre events in beautiful locations to look out for. I`ll keep you posted (especially if you join my mailing list).

Karen Tweed and Paul Hutchinson are creating a database / forum of accordionists who would like to be kept informed about accordion related workshops and things that they are involved in. If you would like to join this, please email: caroltinkle@yahoo.co.uk with 'Accordion forum' in the header.

For those of you who are more into dancing, there's a regular dance club, the first Wed of the month:
At Kier Hardy Hall, St Gregory’s Alley Norwich 9-11pm

I’m still playing nursing homes in various areas of the country and enjoying this immensely. I'm also teaching privately, so email teaching@karentweed.com in case I’m coming near you and I’ll keep you posted!

Very best wishes

xK