BLACKTHORN BAND
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 photos © Toby Amies |
Blackthorn perform their melodic brand of Irish, Scottish and English traditional music in concerts and for ceilidhs at festivals, arts centres, folk clubs, weddings and private functions all around Southern England. All the band are multi instrumentalists and singers, and a provide a varied and traditional feel to the music, songs and dances. Fergus and Mannie McClelland have been performing traditional music for many years, and were founder members in 1995. Sarah Mooney joined in 1999 and Jacquelyn Hynes in 2006.
Alex Percy who joined in 2003, is still occasionally with the band.
Far From Home - Blackthorn’s debut album was released in March 2004. The River That Runs Below - The second album was released on August 4th 2008 |
 | Fergus (Pete) McClelland - Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Fiddle. Fergus has been playing traditional music together with his wife Mannie for over 30 years. He has been involved in the organisation of three folk festivals. "Ciaran Curran's (bouzouki) style and Pete McClelland's differ greatly - and yet both players are absolutely spot-on." - Aidan Cossey, paythereckoning.com |
 | Mannie McClelland - Anglo Concertina, Bodhran, Dance Caller. Now a retired educational psychologist, she's a very family friendly caller and also leads her “Music with Mannie” children's music workshops at folk festivals. She is also a member of ThingumaJig. |
 | Sarah Mooney - Flute, Low Whistle, Guitar, Bass pedals, Vocals. Sarah’s traditional styles of flute and guitar playing have developed through leading regular sessions in Buffalo USA, Brighton and now London. She is also the daughter of Mannie and Fergus. |
 | Jacquelyn Hynes - Flute, Whistle, Saxophone, “This leading folk-flautist, multi-instrumentalist and composer has graced the stages at QEH and the Barbican and supported the likes of Lúnasa and Martin Hayes" Musician Magazine |
 | Alex Percy - Fiddle, Guitar, Bass pedals, Vocals. Alex made his name with Beltaine and folk rock outfit Rocas, performing with each of them at several major UK festivals. He is now also a member of The Long Notes. |
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| As we were: At the Lamb Inn 1996 | Posing 1999: Colin, Triona, Mannie, Fergus | 2007: Fergus, Sarah, Philippe, Alex, Mannie |
| 1995 to 1999: Colin Joyce : Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Melodeon Fran Stocker : Bodhran Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar |
1999 to 2000: Colin Joyce : Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Melodeon Triona Joyce : Whistle & Bodhran Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar |
2000 to 2001: Colin Joyce : Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Melodeon Sarah McClelland : Guitar, Flute & Bodhran Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar |
2001 to 2003: Philippe Barnes : Flute, Guitar, Whistle & Bodhran Sarah McClelland : Guitar, Flute, Bodhran & Uilleann Pipes Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Melodeon, Bouzouki, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar & Mandolin |
2003 to 2005 Philippe Barnes : Flute, Guitar, Whistle Alex Percy : Guitar & Fiddle Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Melodeon, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar, Mandolin & Bodhran |
2005 to ...: Philippe Barnes : Flute, Guitar, Whistle Alex Percy : Guitar & Fiddle Sarah Mooney : Guitar, Flute, Whistle Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar, Bodhran |