Test

In 2001 Kevin began playing with the stellar violinist Joe Broughton. They have released two studio albums. ‘Every Other World’ was recorded in Denmark in 2001 and ‘Freehand’ followed in 2004. Their long-awaited third album was recorded in September 2011 and is to be released later in the autumn.

Kev and Joe completed a CD, Carved in Bone, with the Shropshire singer-songwriter, Jonathan Day.
In 2002 Kev joined forces with renowned fiddlers Peter Knight and Tom Leary to create ‘Tanna’ whose music reflected the diverse influences of all three musicians. Lazarus (Dave Swarbrick, Kevin Dempsey, Maart Alcock) was formed in 2006 as Swarb recovered from his lung transplant. Their album, appropriately named ‘Live & Kicking’ was released in the same year.

Kev also gigs on his own and draws from his musical history a range of songs and styles which are as interesting as they are entertaining. He can re-interpret traditional music, play a jazz classic or sing a song that stays with you forever. Solo gigs at a big Australian folk festival have won him rave reviews. Abu Dhabi also seems keen on him.

Alongside his performance commitments Kevin has always produced music, his own and for other artists. He completed ‘Straws in the Wind,’ the most recent album from Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick. Kev teaches workshops for guitar as well as ensemble playing (which can include song) and has rave notices from pupils.

Kev also entered the world of academia in 2011 when he did a very popular teaching day for the folk studies degree at the University of Newcastle. He continues to do summer schools in France and at Somerset’s famous Halsway Manor.

In September 2009, Kevin recorded a widely acclaimed album, “The Salty Diamond” with young fiddler and vocalist Rosie Carson in Newport, Kentucky. Since then he has recorded 2 further CDs with her.

Also in 2009 Kev played gigs with accordionist Karen Tweed. Following a set with inspirational singer Carolyn Robson at the 2011 Phoenix Folk weekend in Darlington, Kev, Karen and Carolyn rehearsed together and took on gigs when commitments allowed.

Over the past couple of years he has teamed up with the outstandingly talented accordionist and vocalist, Harriet Bartlett who has also played in a trio with Kev and Carolyn Robson as well as touring Austria with Kev.

2015 was a momentous year, not least because Kev and Rosie were the support act on the country-wide Fairport Convention’s Winter. As 2016 begins Kevin’s increasing popularity overseas will take him across Europe and as far as Australia for a tour in April.