Hannah James first met Toby Kuhn in Summer 2018 at the Floating Castle festival in Slovenia and it was clear that these two musicians shared a common approach to music making and a real artistic chemistry.

Award-winning folk musician, dancer and composer Hannah James is complemented perfectly by the virtuoso cello of Toby Kuhn. Known for her work with Lady Maisery, Maddy Prior, Sam Sweeney, Seasick Steve and Songs of Separation (with Eliza Carthy and Karina Polwart and more), Hannah is one of the key figures in the modern UK folk scene. Rooted in the English Tradition but enriched by her collaborations all over Europe, her charismatic blend of accordion, vocal and clog dancing forged an instant artistic chemistry with impressive French cellist Toby Kuhn.

See for yourself here, with a sneak peak of their collaborative sound ….

Toby (Wild Strings Trio, Bipolar Bows and Old Salt) is a post-classical musician with a taste for improvisation and folk music of all persuasions. Always on the lookout for new ways to play his instrument, his unorthodox approach has won admiration and acclaim from Slovenia to India, bringing the full potential of the cello with him on his journey across style and invention. Together, their music is soulful, original and conversational. The combination of accordion and cello allows for a huge palette of sounds and textures which lift James’s pure voice and deeply honest song writing. In the next breath they switch to choppy rhythms and joyful interplay between cello and percussive dance.

This duo delivers a diverse, playful and hugely original performance. The debut album from this exciting new duo entitled SLEEPING SPIRALS is due to be released in autumn 2021 along with a UK tour. 

2021 Album Launch Tour Dates

Friday 22nd October 2021

Folk Expo – Home (Manchester) 0161 200 1500

https://homemcr.org/events/

https://homemcr.org/event/manchester-folk-festival-2021-the-breath-plus-special-guests-hannah-james-toby-kuhn/

Saturday 30th October 2021

Revelation (Ashford) 01233 663201

https://revelationashford.co.uk/events/hannah-james-and-toby-kuhn/

https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/hannah-james-toby-kuhn-revelation-tickets/10826325

Sunday 31st October 2021

Southampton Art House (Southampton) 023 8023 8582

https://thearthousesouthampton.org

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hannah-james-and-toby-kuhn-in-person-online-tickets-tickets-158935461243?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Monday 1st November 2021

The Boileroom (Guildford) 01483 440020

https://www.theboileroom.net/?s=Hannah+James

https://theboileroom.seetickets.com/event/hannah-james-toby-kuhn/the-boileroom/1957576?aff=id1theboileroom

Tuesday 2nd November 2021

The Pavilion Atrium (Worthing) 01903 206206

https://wtam.uk/events/hannah-james-toby-kuhn/

https://wtam.uk/choose-your-seats/performance/366402/

Wednesday 3rd November 2021

Kitchen Garden Cafe (Birmingham) 0121 443 4725

https://wtam.uk/choose-your-seats/performance/366402/

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/517717

Thursday 4th November 2021

Cecil Sharp House (London) 02074852200

https://www.efdss.org/whats-on

https://www.efdss.org/choose-seats?EventInstanceId=1445

Saturday 6th November 2021

Helmsley Art Centre (Helmsley) 01439 771700

https://www.helmsleyarts.co.uk/whats-on/hannah-james-and-toby-kuhn

https://mpv.tickets.com/schedule/?agency=HAMS_MPV&orgid=55230#/?event=hannah&view=list&includePackages=false

Sunday 7th November 2021

Old Cinema Launderette (Durham) 01913841412

https://www.oldcinemalaunderette.uk/retro-gig-venue

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/515173/

Saturday 13th November 2021

The Railway Inn (Winchester) 01962 867795

https://www.railwayinn.pub/shows/hannah-james-toby-khun/

https://www.railwayinn.pub/shows/hannah-james-toby-khun/

For more information visit : Hannah James and Toby Kuhn (hannahtobymusic.org)

https://hannahjamesmusic.com  tobyscello.org