Helen Bell is an English folk-influenced composer and musician playing mainly viola and fiddle.
In 2000 she released her first solo album, 'Audierne', on which she was accompanied by guitarist Ed Pritchard.
While studying music at the University of York between 1999 and 2001 she became part of the trio Ola with Sarah Wright (bodhran, flute, vocals) and Michael Jary (concertina). The trio went on to become finalists in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award in 2000, and released two albums, 'The Animals are in the West' and 'Be Prepared For Weather'.
She was interviewed as part of Dr. Lindsay Aitkenhead's 2006 thesis on folk viola players.[1]
Helen's song 'Broken Town' was covered by English fiddle-singer Jackie Oates on her self-titled debut album in 2006.[2]
She now works with Tom Drinkwater as one half of the duo Pillowfish,[3] who released the album 'Common Knowledge' in 2006.
Helen Bell with Ed Pritchard
Ola
Pillowfish