Jacqui McShee’s PENTANGLE is the definitive modern folk band. Rooted in the ethos of the original PENTANGLE, the modern incarnation features the best musicians playing Pentangle’s original and new songs.
Known for their brilliantly successful combination of traditional and non-traditional, PENTANGLE forged a whole new era in folk. Jacqui McShee and the band continue to do so, and over the decades have further refined the music and performance, constantly amazing and delighting audiences at gigs and festivals.
The original band played such stellar gigs as the Isle-of-Wight festivals (1969 & 1970), Newport Folk Festival, Fillmore East and West, Carnegie Hall and The Royal Festival Hall. Going way beyond traditional folk they created a new music rooted in jazz, folk and blues so it was no surprise Pentangle were billed alongside greats such as Miles Davis, Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Dylan and The Band.
PENTANGLE founder member Jacqui McShee is the central link right back to the first days of the original band. Subsequent line-ups have always featured her unmistakeable voice and approach, with the best contemporary players interpreting the songs and music in ever more diverse ways. Drawn from a pool of great players, Jacqui McShee’s PENTANGLE centres around the core of:
Spencer Cozens – KEYBOARDS, VOCALS – Worked with John Martyn as MD for 20 years and toured for many years with Joan Armatrading. Producer and player on many records.
Gerry Conway – DRUMS – One of the country’s most respected drummers and long standing former member of Fairport Convention. His touring and recording history is a Who’s Who of the music world with artists including Jethro Tull, Cat Stevens, Fotheringay, Elton John, Emmylou Harris and Richard Ashcroft.
Alan Thomson – BASS – Another long-term member of John Martyn’s Band. Touring and writing credits include Robert Palmer, Martin Barre, Rick Wakeman, Andy Summers, Denny Laine and Long John Baldry.
Martin Winnings – CLARINET & FLUTE – A multi-talented musician who’s touring credits include Van Morrison, John Martyn, Ray Charles, Nick Lowe, Lee Scratch Perry and Dexy’s Midnight Runners.
Other recent band and guest musicians include:
Gary Foote sax Jools Holland, Tom Jones, Leo Sayer, Zoot Money, and Banco De Gaia
Scott Firth bass Steve Winwood, Public Image Ltd, Spice Girls, Morcheeba
Paul Burgess drums 10cc, Jethro Tull, Joan Armatrading
Dave Lewis sax Blockheads, John Martyn, Bryan Ferry
Jon Noyce bass Jethro Tull, Gary Moore, Sixto Rodriguez
Pascal Consoli drums Bjork, D’Influence, Sister Sledge
Michael Rosen sax Sarah Jane Morris, Bobby McFerrin
Kevin Dempsey guitar Whippersnapper, Chris Leslie
The boundless flow of creativity and discovery from each musician’s varied style constantly renews the music – always underpinning Jacqui’s wonderful and unique voice. A superb live sound is paramount and guaranteed by touring the sixth member of the band, renowned sound engineer Paul Smith.
Equally at home in the largest international festival or a small local venue, recent outstanding performances include The Great British Folk Festival (Skegness), New Forest Folk Festival, 100 Club (London) and Shimokitazawa Garden (Tokyo). Always making a point of meeting the audience post show, the band often hear how their rapport and synonymous warmth with the audience comes across. The enjoyment and excitement from the gig is apparent!
