Sam Sweeney

For other people named Sam Sweeney, see Sam Sweeney (disambiguation).
Sam Sweeney

Sam Sweeney performing at the Warwick Folk Festival, July 2011
Background information
Born 27 February 1989
Nottingham
Genres Folk
Occupation(s) Musician
Years active -present
Associated acts Hannah James and Sam Sweeney, Kerfuffle, Bellowhead, Fay Hield Trio
Website Official website
Notable instruments
Fiddle, viola, nyckelharpa, cello, English concertina, English bagpipes, percussion

Sam Sweeney (born 27 February 1989 in Nottingham) is a multi-instrumental English folk musician.

Career

Sam started playing the fiddle at age six, and first performed as a soloist at folk festivals in 2001. From 2002 to 2010 Sweeney was part of the of East Midlands-based folk band Kerfuffle, playing fiddle, viola, and cajon, and singing.[1] When Kerfuffle disbanded, Sam continued playing with accordion player and singer Hannah James as the duo Hannah James and Sam Sweeney.

As of 2008, Sam is also a member of the award-winning eleven-piece folk band Bellowhead, playing fiddle and English bagpipes.[2]

As of 2009 he tours with Jon Boden and the Remnant Kings, playing both drums and fiddle, sometimes simultaneously.[3]

Sam also is a member of Fay Hield's band, originally named the Fay Hield Trio but as of 2012 called Fay Hield & The Hurricane Party.[4]

Awards

Sweeney has won a number of awards including the 'In The Tradition' award and the 'Wiltshire Folk Association Young Folk Award', which he won for two years in succession. He was also a nominated in the 2004 BBC Young Folk Awards.[5] In 2007 he won one of five BBC Performing Arts Fund bursaries to help him start his musical career.[4] Sweeney was nominated for the 'Musician of the Year' award at the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and won this award at the 2015 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Discography

Hannah James and Sam Sweeney

With Kerfuffle

With Bellowhead

With Fay Hield

With Circus Envy

With Sam Carter

With Rachael McShane

With Louise Jordan

History

In 2006 Sam won a bursary from the BBC performing arts fund.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Sam Sweeney – Biography". Sam Sweeney Music, official site. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  2. http://www.bellowhead.co.uk/band.html
  3. "Jon Boden and The Remnant Kings – BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2010 Folk Singer of the Year". Towersey Village Festival. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  4. 4.0 4.1 http://www.samsweeneymusic.co.uk/Biog/
  5. "All about Sam Sweeney". bright young folk. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "Sam Sweeney – Discography". Sam Sweeney Music, official site.

External links