City Waites

The City Waites is a British early music ensemble.

The City Waites appear to have formed in the early 1970s. They specialise in secular English music of the sixteen and seventeenth centuries and, performing in the style of an early street band. They appeal to a general audience as well as scholars. They have toured the UK, much of Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and the USA. They have collaborated with the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Bagpipe player Nick Perry and Michael Sergeant also perform with the group.

Performers

Lucie Skeaping

Lucie Skeaping sings and plays the baroque violin. Lucie is also founder-director of "The Burning Bush" which explores klezmer, traditional Jewish music as well as Arab-influenced music (www.theburningbush.co.uk). The band includes Robin Jeffrey who plays middle-eastern instruments. Lucie presents BBC Radio 3's Early Music Show and other programmes which showcase early music ensembles of the UK and other countries. ("The Early Music Show" is currently broadcast on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 2 p.m. on radio 3). Lucie is the author of the award-winning schools book "Let's Make Tudor Music" (pub Stainer and Bell) and her "Musical Mystery Tour" visits numerous schools each year. Lucie's many CDs include "Home Sweet Home" (with Ian Partidge), a celebration of 19th century parlour music, and 'English National Songs' (Saydisc). Her book 'Broadside Ballads' (Faber Music) won the Music Industry Award for Best Classical Music Publication 2006.

Roddy Skeaping

Roddy Skeaping plays baroque bass, violin, bass viol, sings and creates arrangements.

Douglas Wootton

Douglas Wootton is the leader and main singer of the City Waites. He is one of the few tenors who accompanies themselves on the lute. He also plays bandora, cittern, and tabor. Due to his promotion of the band they were voted the second-best "Folk Band of the Year" in the pages of "Melody Maker". His down-to-earth approach sets the tone for the band. In his words, they avoid the "Laura Ashley school of Early Music". Douglas writes musicals for children.

Michael Brain

Michael Brain plays curtal, baroque bassoon, recorder, oboe and sings. He was a choirister at Westminster Abbey. He is related to the famous horn player Dennis Brain. On stage he gives spirited descriptions of how the instruments are constructed. In his own words, he is the only member who also has a "proper" job outside of music.

Discography

* Low and Lusty Ballads
* The Music of the Tudor Age
* Music of the Middle Ages
* Music of the Stuart Age
* Music from the time of Henry VIII
* Music from the time of Charles II
* Lads and Lasses
* Ghosts, Witches and Demons (1995)
* Christmas now is drawing near
* How the World Wags (1982)
* Pills to Purge Melancholy (1990)
* A Madrigal for all Seasons
* The Musicians of Grope Lane (Bawdy Ballads of Old England) (1995)
* The English Tradition
* The City Waites (1975)
* A Gorgeous Gallery Of Gallant Inventions

External links

* Official Website: http://www.citywaites.co.uk/
* Lucy Skeaping website: http://www.lucieskeaping.co.uk