Folk trio’s farewell gig will start season

After eight years on the road, Coventry-based roots band Isambarde will play their last concert in what will be the opening gig of the new Rugby Roots season.

Isambarde’s story starts back in 2001 when guitarist and singer Chris Green decided to form a band but was unable to find anyone of a similar age who shared his taste for traditional folk music.

But his short involvement in musical theatre led to a chance meeting with oboe player and fellow folk fan Jude Rees.

Chris was later reunited with singer and fiddler Emily Sanders, who he had met at a folk festival in 1997, and Isambarde formed to play their first gig at the Styvechale Folk Club in 2002.

Phil Beer, of Warwick Folk Festival headliners Show of Hands, has said: “Isambarde are a folk band with tremendous energy and enthusiasm.

“They are the unusual and winning combination of Chris’s driving guitar, Emily’s incisive fiddle playing and Jude’s lyrical oboe occupied with great full on vocal harmonies.”

In past years the Isambarde have played at clubs and festivals all over the country, collecting songs, tunes and friends along the way.

Richard Barnes, of Rugby Roots, said: “Emily, Jude and Chris are good friends of ours, it’s sad they’ve decided to call it a day and we’re honoured to be asked to stage their final performance.

“We hope their many fans in the area and beyond will join us for what promises to be a great send off.

“It’s not yet confirmed but we’re hoping to have a special guest or two joining them on stage - it should be quite a party.”

The gig takes place at Lawrence Sheriff School, in Rugby on Saturday October 1 from 7.15pm.

Tickets cost £10 and available on the door by calling 01788 567338 or visiting www.rugbyroots.com