Events

Simon Kempston is ‘one of Scotland’s very best singer-songwriters’ (The Herald), a composer and leading acoustic fingerstyle guitarist based in Edinburgh. His beautifully crafted material showcase his distinctive, intricate fingerstyle guitar work, and his gently nuanced, compelling tenor vocals.

Simon has performed across the world in 35 countries and counting. Having toured for more than a decade internationally, he has countless experience of major festivals, television and radio appearances whilst his acclaimed life performances are intense, impassioned and unmissable.

The zeffirellis calendar would not be complete without a visit from these ol boys...

That was then…

Muskett was lucky to be around in those heady days when record companies paid for studio time, students got grants, gigs were plenty and someone had to sit on the engine.

This is now…

Fast forward (remember that?) 36 years to 2010 and the same, not too rusty, Muskett ‘reloads’ at the Aspinall Arms in Clitheroe. It didn’t make the front pages but the room was full, it was great fun, so why not?

Robin Adler and Dave Blackburn THE SONGS OF JONI MITCHELL 2025

Vocalist Robin Adler, and guitarist Dave Blackburn, are in their 20th year of performing a show based entirely around the music of the legendary Canadian songwriter, Joni Mitchell. Mitchell’s long and broad career has provided fertile ground for them to create, often with their band Mutts of the Planet, fascinating shows around Southern California that draw from all of Joni Mitchell’s many artistic periods. In addition, they often discuss the backstories behind the songs, which has always been popular with their audiences.

Robin Adler is a highly respected jazz vocalist, and has performed with some of the top musicians in the San Diego area. She has many fans around the world who have been captivated by her smooth and natural delivery.

Dave Blackburn, Robin’s husband, grew up in the UK in the 70s, and has been a lifelong professional guitarist, drummer, composer, producer, and music teacher. He made his home in San Diego in 1981 and has developed a signature guitar style that is admired among his peers.

Dave and Robin have been making music together since 1990, 35 years as of 2025.
Together with their band Mutts of the Planet, they have almost 60 live concert YouTube videos to be viewed. These often garner high praise from diehard Joni Mitchell fans around the world who are skeptical of any substitutes.

Testimonials:

"Received your Safaris to the Heart:The Songs of Joni Mitchell CD today. This CD is superb!!!!!!!!!! Everything on it is in great taste! The players, the vocals, the charts! Great harmonic concepts & structures!! Each song is done beautifully. You all should be very proud of this. She should hear this. Kudos to all!!!!!!!!!” Max Bennett - Joni Mitchell’s bassist 1974-77

"The next best thing to seeing Joni Mitchell herself is catching Mutts of the Planet." - Robert Bush, jazz critic, San Diego Reader

"Safaris is a masterpiece! I was late for work this morning; I couldn't tear myself away. I just sat in my car in the parking lot, mesmerized. “- Jody, CD customer

JC3 have been performing together since 2019, blending Joseph’s piano with Allan Peat on upright bass and Mark Rayner on drums, delivering the melodies of the Great American Songbook with energy. All three are North East natives. After six years of growth, they remain committed to their music and their journey together.

Hailed as “a fantastic flamenco guitarist” (BBC Radio 3) and honoured as a First Category prizewinner in the 2023 Manhattan International Music Competition, Samuel Moore is fast establishing himself as one of the leading flamenco musicians of his generation. Since 2007 he has performed in venues across the UK, Europe, and North America. Solo performance highlights include New York’s Carnegie Hall and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London.

When not on tour or recording, Samuel enjoys passing on his musical knowledge through teaching. He is the author of the ‘Flamenco Guitar Compás Essentials’ book series and teaches private students each week via his online music school. Additionally, Samuel serves as the principal flamenco guitar tutor at Arpeggiato School of Music (Chicago, USA).

Amongst Samuel’s other notable achievements are the establishment and overseeing of the Leeds International Flamenco Festival between 2013 and 2017. He also worked as an orchestral transcriber for the Gil Evans Estate between 2010 and 2013. Furthermore, in 2017 Samuel was commissioned to compose music for the major film ‘Lost in London’. Samuel also appeared in the film itself, performing his solo compositions in a scene featuring the Hollywood actors Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson.

Samuel learnt his craft as a one-to-one student of the world-renowned flamenco guitarists: Juan Martín, Grisha Goryachev and Dennis Koster. He has also attended workshops led by Paco Peña. Samuel is an alumnus of Leeds Conservatoire, class of 2013.

Samuel plays Kevin Richards concert guitars and is an affiliated artist of Bam Cases, DPA Microphones, AER Amplifiers, Abel Armrests, Sagework Magnetic Guitar Supports and Shubb Capos.