bert jansch | official website

Bert will play two exclusive solo shows this summer. On Sunday 24 July he will appear at historic Marlay Park in Dublin in a special show for @ the Park alongside fellow Drag City artist Joanna Newsom (more details here). On Saturday 20 August Bert will appear at the Edinburgh Festival, with a show at 7.00pm at The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh (more details here).

As well as these solo shows, and following their triumphant 40th anniversary reunion tour in 2008, the original members of Pentangle: Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox – each one a legend in their own right – have reunited again for three special shows this summer. Fresh from the first show at Glastonbury Festival on 25 June, Pentangle also appear as special guests at Cambridge Folk Festival on Saturday 30 July and, in a full evening's performance, at London's Royal Festival Hall on Monday 1 August.

In addition, all five original members of Pentangle are currently working together on new material for the first time since they disbanded in 1973. The group also plan to release live recordings from the 2008 tour in the near future.

Formed in swinging ‘60s London, Pentangle were one of the most exciting and innovative groups in the world, genuinely pushing boundaries and exploring new musical avenues. Simultaneously stars of the underground and darlings of the mainstream, they enjoyed an unprecedented degree of worldwide success for an acoustic band and their influence and musical impact are still both revered and relevant today.

“Every bit as accomplished and successful as those [comeback concerts] performed by Cream in London three years ago … Pentangle's music sounded as fresh, vital and inventive in 2008 as it did back then in the first summer of love” – Variety

Tickets for Pentangle at The Royal Festival Hall (Monday 1 August, 7.30pm) are available from www.southbankcentre.co.uk, by phone on 0844 875 0073 or in person from the ticket office at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX.

Summer 2011: PENTANGLE reunite again for exclusive summer performances and work on new material

Following their triumphant 40th anniversary reunion tour in 2008, the original members of Pentangle: Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox – each one a legend in their own right – will reunite again to perform three special shows this summer. The band will appear at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday 25 June, as special guests at Cambridge Folk Festival on Saturday 30 July, and again at London's Royal Festival Hall on Monday 1 August.

In addition, all five original members of Pentangle are currently working together on new material for the first time since they disbanded in 1973. The group also plan to release live recordings from the 2008 tour in the near future.

Tickets for the Royal Festival Hall are available in person from the ticket office, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX; by phone on 0844 875 0073; or online at www.southbankcentre.co.uk.

“Forget Cream…or Led Zeppelin, this is the biggie: Pentangle is reforming” – The Guardian (19 January 2007)

“The Folk Beatles…The greatest and most adventurous acoustic ‘supergroup' of their time” – The Word (April 2007)

“The godfathers of English folk music…unquestionably the core template for today's blooming nu-folk scene” – Metro (23 March 2007)

“Pentangle was electrifying, particularly at a time of unprecedented free thinking in music. Together they created an intoxicating instrumental force” – Jazzwise ( April 2007)

“One of the most experimental and influential bands of the Sixties” – The Sun (23 February 2007)

“Pentangle rewrote the Britfolk rulebook…America has nothing to match them” – The Daily Mirror (9 March 2007)

Bert back on tour with Neil Young (April/May 2011) and playing with the original Pentangle (Summer 2011)

Bert is delighted to be appearing again as Neil Young's special guest on a tour that will kick off April 15 in Durham, NC, and conclude May 11 in Toronto. The tour includes a pair of nights at Boston's Wang Center and two shows at the prestigious and intimate Avery Fisher Hall in NYC's Lincoln Center.

Bert was Neil's special guest on the first two legs of this Neil Young solo tour in the summer of 2010, but had to pull out of the third leg due to health reasons. So he is thrilled to now be back on the road, at Neil's request, on this latest leg of the tour.

“Bert Jansch is the best acoustic guitarist; he's my favourite anyway. For electric guitar, I'd say Jimi Hendrix. But as for acoustic guitar, Bert Jansch is on the same level as Jimi. That first record of his is epic. It came from England, and I was especially taken by ‘The Needle of Death', such a beautiful and angry song...” - Neil Young

On his return to the UK Bert is also delighted to be teaming up again (following their reunion in 2008) with all the original members of Pentangle for some selected and exclusive shows this summer. Watch this space!

Bert adds Manhattan show to December East Coast tour: Les Paul Mondays at the Iridium Jazz Club on Dec 20

A second New York date has been added to the Bert's short East Coast tour. Bert will feature at the famous Iridium Jazz Club in New York City on Monday December 20 as part of the Les Paul Tribute Mondays. www.iridiumjazzclub.com/les_tribute.php

For close to 13 years The Iridium was home to Les Paul and his Trio. Nearly a year after his passing, the Father of the Electric Guitar continues to shine on with Les Paul Mondays, an ongoing concert series dedicated to his lasting legacy. Until his final days, Les Paul maintained one of New York's longest-running residencies at The Iridium, one of New York City's most prestigious live music venues. Starting in 1995, when Paul began his tenure at the club, nearly every major guitar god at one point or another humbly shared the stage with Paul - Slash, Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and innumerable others. To honour Les Paul's memory, Iridium has continued the Monday night tradition, presenting the world's greatest guitarists appearing in an intimate setting along with The Les Paul Trio.

Bert also plays the Bell House in Brooklyn on Dec 15 (Pegi Young will open). Full tour dates are:

WED DEC 8 - PHILADELPHIA, PA - Johnny Brenda's (with Meg Baird) www.ticketfly.com

MON DEC 13 - WASHINGTON, DC (VIENNA, VA) - Jammin Java (with the Pegi Young Band) www.jamminjava.com

Bert returns to the US in December 2010 for East Coast dates with Pegi Young and Meg Baird

Bert is delighted to announce that he will return to the US in December for six East Coast shows with the wonderful Pegi Young Band as his special guest, and one in Philadelphia with the very lovely Meg Baird of Espers opening.

This follows Bert's recent surgery, which forced him to pull out of the Gulf Coast leg of the Neil Young US tour in September as well as cancel a series of his own shows on the East Coast where Pegi Young (Neil's wife) was due to open for Bert. Bert was deeply disappointed to miss the September and October shows, as he enjoyed every moment of touring with Neil over the summer, as well as the West Coast shows he played in the summer with the Pegi Young Band opening. Bert was also particularly disappointed to miss an appearance at Farm Aid, which he was very much looking forward to. However, he is delighted to report now that the surgery was successful, and the new confirmed dates are:

FRI DEC 17 - PITTSBURGH, PA - First Unitarian Church (with the Pegi Young Band)

Fresh from completing the second leg as Neil Young's special guest on the acclaimed solo tour of North America, Bert has returned to Britain and will play two nights at the Edinburgh Festival – his first UK shows since illness forced the cancellation of all dates last year. He plays The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh on Thursday 26 August and Friday 27 August at 8.00pm. Tickets (£18/£16) are available from The Queen's Hall (0131 668 2019 or www.thequeenshall.net) or the Festival Fringe Box Office (0131 226 0000 or www.edfringe.com).

Bert to tour with Neil Young (May/June 2010); play solo shows with Pegi Young as special guest (June 2010); and appear at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Festival (June 2010)

In his first live appearances since he was forced to cancel a US tour and some UK dates last summer, Bert is set to go on tour in the US with Neil Young this month. Bert will be Neil's special guest on his upcoming tour which kicks off May 18 2010 in Albany, NY. Having been Neil's special guest, Bert is delighted to then play some solo shows on the West Coast with Pegi Young (Neil's wife) and her band as Bert's own special guest. After that, Bert heads to Chicago for another solo show (with Meg Baird from Espers opening), ahead of an appearance at Eric Clapton's prestigious Crossroads Guitar Festival (in aid of the Crossroads Rehabilitation Centre in Antigua) at Toyota Park on June 26. The full list of dates is:

May 18 – Albany, NY @ Palace Theatre
May 19 – Buffalo, NY @ Shea's Performing Arts Center
May 21 – Worcester, MA @ Hanover Theatre
May 23 – Wallingford, CT @ Oakdale Theatre
May 24 – Washington, DC @ Constitution Hall
May 26 – Louisville, KY @ Palace Theatre
May 27 – Knoxville, TN @ Knoxville Civic Auditorium
May 29 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
May 30 – Spartanburg, SC @ Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
June 1 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
June 2 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
June 4 – Houston, TX @ Jones Hall
June 5 – Austin, TX @ Bass Performance Hall
June 7 – Dallas, TX @ Meyerson Symphony Center

June 10 Seattle, WA - The Triple Door w/ Pegi Young (tickets 206-838-4333 or www.thetripledoor.net )

June 20 Los Angeles, CA - Largo at the Coronet w/ Pegi Young (tickets 310-855-0350)

Bert to tour with Neil Young – May/June 2010 – and then appear at Crossroads Festival June 2010

In his first live appearances since the illness which caused the cancellation of last summer's North American tour and UK dates, Bert is set to go on tour with Neil Young in the US in May. Bert will be Neil's special guest on the “Twisted Road” tour which kicks off on May 18 2010 in Albany, NY. The full list of dates is:

Bert will follow this with an appearance at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago on June 26 2010. Bert was asked personally by Eric to appear at his day-long celebration of the guitar at Toyota Park, Chicago, held in aid of The Crossroads Centre in Antigua, a treatment and education facility founded by Clapton for chemically dependent persons. Others confirmed on the extensive bill include Albert Lee, Buddy Guy, BB King, Jeff Beck, Robert Cray, Sheryl Crow and, of course, Eric Clapton himself. More info on the Crossroads Guitar Festival here.

Drag City release stunning vinyl versions of LA Turnaround and the other Charisma albums

Drag City have released stunning new vinyl versions of L.A. Turnaround, Santa Barbara Honeymoon and A Rare Conundrum worldwide. Following on from the first-time release on CD in 2009 of these most sought after albums in Bert's catalogue, the new vinyl versions are beautifully packaged with heavy card jackets featuring all the original artwork plus brand new sleevenotes along with contemporary photos. Preserving the integrity of the original albums, they also each come with a bonus CD containing the extra material available on each of the CD releases, including, in the case of LA Turnaround, the film made during the original recording sessions at Tony Stratton Smith's Sussex home, featuring Bert, Mike Nesmith, Red Rhodes and others recording and performing four of the songs as well as relaxing and playing pool. Bert has supervised the re-mastering of each album himself as well as hand-picking the bonus material. These gorgeous vinyl packages certainly live up to the many 5-star reviews the reissues received when they were released on CD in 2009.

Hear Bert playing and talking to Joan Armatrading today (Friday 31 July) on BBC Radio 4 at 3.45pm. Recorded several months ago, Bert's show is part of a five part series where singer, songwriter and guitarist Joan interviews her favourite guitar players (previous programmes featured Mark Knopfler, Bonnie Raitt, John Williams and Russell Lissack) about their music and guitar technique.

Due to unexpected illness, Bert has had to cancel his North American tour (about to start on 26 June 2009) as well as some UK dates. Bert is very sorry to be missing the tour, and apologises to all the fans who were hoping to see him. He is looking forward to rescheduling as soon as possible.

The new edition of L.A. Turnaround has had five-star reviews in both MOJO and UNCUT and there has been lots of excitement around the reissue (for the first time on CD) of the three Charisma albums (see below). In the USA and Canada the new CDs will be coming out on Drag City (as did The Black Swan) on July 21 2009.

Bert presented the Fleet Foxes with the Best Live Act award at the star-studded MOJO Honours List Ceremony on Thursday 11 June 2009. See Bert presenting Fleet Foxes with their award and get more information on the MOJO Honours at www.mojo4music.com.

Special show at the Jazz Café in London to celebrate the Charisma releases - 8 June 2009

Bert will play a special one-off show at London's Jazz Café on Monday 8 June 2009 as part of the run-up to this year's MOJO Honours List Ceremony. Bert (winner of the 2006 MOJO Merit Award) will appear with special guests – doors open at 7.00pm. More info at www.mojo4music.com. Tickets (£25) are available from www.jazzcafelive.com/0870 998 8888, www.ticketmaster.co.uk/0844 847 2514 or www.seetickets.com/0870 060 3777.

To celebrate the Charisma reissues (see below) Bert is playing a 22 date tour of North America this summer, and some more UK dates too!

Fri 26 June Albuquerque, NM The Cooperage www.ampconcerts.org

Sun 28 June Denver, CO Swallow Hill http://swallowhill.com
Wed 1 July Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge www.dougfirlounge.com
Thur 2 July Seattle, WA The Triple Door www.thetripledoor.net
Fri 3 July Vancouver, BC Richard's on Richards www.richardsonrichards
Sat 4 July Victoria, BC Conservatory of Music
Mon 6 July Anchorage, AK University of Alaska Wendy Williamson Auditorium
Wed 8 July Los Angeles, CA Largo www.largo-la.com
Fri 10 July Santa Cruz, CA Don Quixote's www.donquixotesmusic.info
Sun 12 July San Francisco, CA Café Du Nord www.cafedunord.com

Mon 3 August Montreal, QC La Sala Rossa* www.casadelpopolo.com
Wed 5 August Toronto, ON The Horseshoe Tavern* www.horseshoetavern.com
Fri 7 August Pittsburgh, PA Andy Warhol Museum, The Warhol* www.warhol.org
Sat 8 August Columbus, OH Wexner Center for the Arts* www.wexarts.org
Mon 10 August Chicago, IL Martyrs* www.martyrslive.com
Wed 12 August Lexington, KY The Dame* www.dameky.com
Fri 14 August Asheville, NC Diana Wortham Theatre www.dwtheatre.com
Sun 16 August Charlottesville, VA The Southern*
Wed 19 August Alexandria, VA The Birchmere (with Al Stewart ) www.birchmere.com
Thur 20 August New York, NY City Winery* www.citywinery.com
Fri 21 August Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda's* www.johnnybrendas.com
* w/ Alasdair Roberts

In the UK Bert also plays an Edinburgh Festival show on 25 August (details soon) and Moseley Folk Festival (Birmingham) on 5 September www.moseleyfolk.co.uk .

LA Turnaround, Santa Barbara Honeymoon and A Rare Conundrum to come out on CD – 15 June 2009

Bert is truly delighted to announce at last the long-awaited first-time release on CD of the three albums he recorded in the 1970s for The Famous Charisma Label: the seminal L.A. Turnaround , Santa Barbara Honeymoon and A Rare Conundrum . These most sought after albums in Bert's catalogue have been out of print for decades and have never been available on CD before. The new CDs are scheduled for release by EMI/Virgin on 15 June 2009 and Bert has supervised the re-mastering of each album himself as well as hand-picking the bonus material, much of which is previously unreleased. In some cases this material is newly discovered from the album sessions and has been unheard by anyone in thirty years, including Bert himself! The new CD of LA Turnaround also includes an amazingly atmospheric and previously unseen 13 minute film, made during the recordings of the album at Tony Stratton Smith's Sussex mansion and featuring Bert, Mike Nesmith, Red Rhodes and others recording and performing four of the songs as well as relaxing and playing pool. The CD will be an “Enhanced CD” – put it in any computer to view the film. Each of the new editions is beautifully re-packaged, featuring all the original artwork plus brand new specially written sleevenotes along with contemporary photos and memorabilia. These releases have been a long time coming, but we think are worth the wait!

Lots of you outside the UK said you could not hear the tribute Bert and Ralph McTell paid to the late, great Davy Graham at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in February, where they played Davy's immortal “Angie”. This was due to licensing restrictions on the BBC website, but to rectify this we now have the recording from the BBC, and they have given us permission to put it up on Bert's myspace player so everyone can now hear the performance of “Angie” as well as Bert and Ralph's personal tributes to Davy, which were not broadcast when the original radio show aired.

Bert will be hosting a guitar workshop on Sunday 15 March 2009 at Luthiers Corner in Denmark Street, London. This is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the world's great acoustic masters in an intimate setting. Tickets cost £50 per person for the 2 hour session. Make sure to book early as the number of places is limited. To book a place and for additional information, please contact Celine at Luthiers Corner on 020 7836 0816 or email celine@luthierscorner.co.uk.

Last chance to download Bert and Ralph McTell's performance of the late great Davy Graham's immortal “Angi” from the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards on Monday 2 February.

Bert and Ralph performed “Angi” as a tribute to Davy, who passed away in December. Davy was an enormous influence not only on Bert and Ralph but on John Renbourn, Martin Carthy, Paul Simon, John Martyn and many, many others. Bert says of Davy “he's my absolute hero – always has been”.

Tribute to Davy Graham on BBC Radio 2

Bert and Ralph McTell appeared at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards on Monday 2 February 2009 performing a tribute to the late great Davy Graham, who sadly passed away in December. Although Bert is a guitar hero to many, Davy was Bert's own guitar hero, and an enormous influence not only on Bert but on John Renbourn, Martin Carthy, Paul Simon, John Martyn (who also tragically died last week) and many, many others. Bert says of Davy “he's my absolute hero – always has been”.

Bert and Ralph played Davy's immortal “Angi” at the Folk Awards, and also on Monday night played “Angi” live on Radio 2's Radcliffe and Maconie Show and chatted about Davy.

The Folk Awards are broadcast tonight (Wednesday 4 February) on BBC Radio 2 at 19.00-20.30 GMT (88-91 FM, on Digital, or online at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/harding) or listen again for a week at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/harding. Listen again to Monday's Radcliffe and Maconie with show Bert and Ralph at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/radcliffemaconie.

January 2009: Bert's first shows of 2009

Happy New Year! Bert plays a special intimate performance on Sunday 18 January at the exhibition “Guitars: made in Britain, played the world over” at The Hub in Sleaford. Bert's performance is on behalf of his friend, guitar maker Rob Armstrong, who has made a special guitar for Bert. The performance is already sold out, but the exhibition features the work of over thirty of the UK's most celebrated contemporary guitar makers and is on now with exhibitors, events and workshops until Monday 19 January. Find out more at http://www.thehubcentre.info and http://www.thehubcentre.info/Resources.

Bert also plays a show in Milan, Italy, on Thursday 22 January, at Teatro Dal Verme. More information and tickets from www.dalverme.org or +39 (0)2 87905.

Bert to play at the Expo in Zaragoza – 13/14 September 2008

Bert will play two shows at the Expo in Zaragoza, Spain, on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September. The shows at Expo Zaragoza will take place at the Balcon De Las Musicas, Avda de Ranillas. They will start each night at 9.00pm. More information and tickets available from www.expozaragoza2008.es.

Bernard Butler to guest with Bert at The Roundhouse – 30 August 2008

Bernard Butler will be Bert's very special guest on Saturday 30 August at Bert's show at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1. Findlay Brown and Sam Lewis will provide the support. The show is part of the 'Colour Your Summer' series which sees The Roundhouse transformed into an intimate space for one month of sizzling live music. Doors open at 7pm or come for a cool drink and BBQ on the sun-soaked terrace from 6.30pm. Tickets available from www.bigwheeltickets.com or 0871 230 1083.

Bert first solo shows since the Pentangle reunion – August 2008

Fresh from Pentangle's triumphant reunion tour, Bert will play his first solo shows since the tour at the Edinburgh Festival on 10, 11 and 12 August and at The Roundhouse in London on 30 August as part of the 'Colour Your Summer' series.

Bert plays the Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, St Brides, 10 Orwell Terrace, Edinburgh, on Sunday 10, Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 August. Show starts at 9.00pm. Tickets (£15.00/£12.00) are available from 0131 346 1405, in person from the Acoustic Music Centre box office, or from www.edfringe.com.

On Saturday 30 August Bert plays at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 – part of the 'Colour Your Summer' series which sees The Roundhouse transformed into an intimate space for one month of sizzling live music. Doors open at 7pm or come for a cool drink and BBQ on the sun-soaked terrace from 6.30pm. Tickets (£22.50) are available from 0871 230 1083 or www.bigwheeltickets.com.

Bert and John Renbourn on Radcliffe & Maconie

Bert and John Renbourn were interviewed together on the Mark Radcliffe & Stuart Maconie show on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday 16 July 2008.

Pentangle on Newsnight

Pentangle appeared on BBC2 on major BBC news programme Newsnight on Thursday 26 June 2008, ahead of their upcoming tour.

Pentangle – intimate warm-up shows

The reformed original Pentangle – Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox – will play two special warm-up shows this Wednesday and Thursday, 25 and 26 June, at Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester, ahead of the upcoming tour. Be the first to see the reformed band in this uniquely intimate environment. Tickets (£25.00) are available from 01206 500900 or www.colchesterartscentre.com.

Pentangle on Radio 2 / BBC 6 Music

Bert Jansch and Jacqui McShee gave an interview on the Mike Harding Show on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday 4 June 2008, talking about the forthcoming Pentangle reunion tour. Pentangle also gave their first recorded radio session since 1972 on Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone on BBC 6 Music on Sunday 8 June.

Pentangle to headline at Green Man Festival

The reformed original Pentangle (Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox) are delighted to announce they will culminate their UK tour this summer with an exclusive headline appearance at the wonderful Green Man Festival at Glanusk Park in South Wales. They will appear at Green Man on Sunday night, 17 August.

Tour dates are:

Sun 29 June London , The Royal Festival Hall (SOLD OUT)

Tue 1 July Cardiff , St David's Hall 02920 878444

Wed 2 July Brighton , Dome 01273 709709

Thu 3 July Cambridge , Corn Exchange 01223 357851

Sat 5 July Birmingham , Symphony Hall 0121 780 3333

Sun 6 July Oxford , New Theatre 0844 847 1585

Mon 7 July London , Lyceum Theatre 0844 412 1742

Wed 9 July Manchester , Palace Theatre 0844 847 2328

Thu 10 July Harrogate , International Centre 0845 130 8840

Sat 12 July Gateshead , The Sage 0191 443 4661

Sun 13 July Glasgow , Royal Concert Hall 0141 353 8000

Mon 14 July Liverpool , Philharmonic 0151 709 3789
Sun 17 August The Green Man Festival www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk

Tour: 24 hr Ticket Hotline: 0870 735 5000 / www.bookingsdirect.com TICKETS: £25.00, £28.50 (£27.50, £30.00 London, Birmingham, Manchester) Showtime: 8.00pm prompt (no support).

Pentangle on “Later with Jools Holland” – 29 April & 2 May 2008

In their first TV appearance together for 35 years, the reformed original Pentangle (Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox) appeared on Later with Jools Holland on BBC2 on 29 April and 2 May 2008. On the live show on Tuesday April 29 they played 'Let No Man Steal Your Thyme' and on Friday May 2 they played 'Light Flight' and 'I've Got a Feeling'. You can see an interview with Bert and John, backstage at "Later", at www.bbc.co.uk/later/shows/series32/episode05/pentangle

Original Pentangle – UK Tour announced and second date in London

"Forget Cream…or Led Zeppelin, this is the biggie: Pentangle is reforming" – The Guardian (19 January 2007)
On 29 June 2008, exactly 40 years to the day that unique British folk/jazz 'supergroup' Pentangle recorded the live disc of their seminal double album, Sweet Child, at London's Royal Festival Hall, the original band: Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox, return to the stage of the Royal Festival Hall to celebrate their legacy. That unique show is now sold out, and the band are delighted to announce a second show in London and a full UK tour. Tickets go on sale on Monday 28 January at 9.00am from the box office numbers below, or from 0870 735 5000 (24hr Ticket Hotline) or www.bookingsdirect.com.

Tour dates are:
Sun 29 June – London The Royal Festival Hall – SOLD OUT
Tue 1 July – Cardiff St David's Hall – 02920 878444
Wed 2 July – Brighton Dome – 01273 709709
Thu 3 Juy – Cambridge Corn Exchange – 01223 357851
Sat 5 July – Birmingham Symphony Hall – 0121 780 3333
Sun 6 July – Oxford New Theatre – 0844 847 1585
Mon 7 July – London Lyceum Theatre – 0844 412 1742
Wed 9 July – Manchester Palace Theatre – 0844 847 2328
Thu 10 July – Harrogate International Centre – 0845 130 8840
Sat 12 July – Gateshead The Sage – 0191 443 4661
Sun 13 July – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – 0141 353 8000
Mon 14 July – Liverpool Philharmonic – 0151 709 3789

Showtime: 8.00pm prompt (no support)

TICKETS: £25.00/£28.50 (£27.50/£30.00 in London, Birmingham and Manchester)

Formed in swinging '60s London, Pentangle were one of the most exciting and innovative groups in the world, genuinely pushing boundaries and exploring new musical avenues. Simultaneously stars of the underground and darlings of the mainstream, they enjoyed an unprecedented degree of worldwide success for an acoustic band and their influence and musical impact is still revered and relevant today.
"Pentangle still rule the roost" – The Times (9 February 2007)

"The Folk Beatles…The greatest and most adventurous acoustic 'supergroup' of their time" – The Word (April 2007)

"Pentangle revolutionised 60s music" – MOJO (April 2007)

"The godfathers of English folk music…unquestionably the core template for today's blooming nu-folk scene" – Metro (23 March 2007)

"Pentangle was electrifying, particularly at a time of unprecedented free thinking in music. Together they created an intoxicating instrumental force" – Jazzwise (April 2007) < SPAN>

"One of the most experimental and influential bands of the Sixties" – The Sun (23 February 2007)

"Pentangle rewrote the Britfolk rulebook…America has nothing to match them" – The Daily Mirror (9 March 2007)

"Britain's Grateful Dead" – The Guardian (16 March 2007)

Glasgow show on 23 January with Espers and Eliza Carthy

Bert's first show of 2008 will be at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Wednesday 23 January 2008 as part of the Celtic Connections Festival. Also on the bill are Espers (some of whom appeared on Bert's last album The Black Swan) and Eliza Carthy. Tickets are available from 0141 353 8000 or www.celticconnections.com.

Bert receives honorary Doctorate

On 15 November 2007 Bert received an honorary Doctorate of Music from Napier University, Edinburgh. The honour was conferred at a ceremony at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh where the Laureation was given by Graham Weir, Senior lecturer in the School of Creative Industries.

ORIGINAL PENTANGLE Sweet Child 40th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Festival Hall

On 29 June 2008, exactly 40 years to the day that unique British folk/jazz 'supergroup' Pentangle recorded the live disc of their seminal double album, Sweet Child, at London's Royal Festival Hall, the original band: Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox, will reunite and return to the Royal Festival Hall to celebrate their legacy. From their formation in swinging ‘60s London, Pentangle were one of the most exciting and innovative groups in the world, genuinely pushing boundaries and exploring new musical avenues. Simultaneously stars of the underground and darlings of the mainstream, they enjoyed an unprecedented degree of success worldwide for an acoustic band and their influence and musical impact is still revered and relevant today, as evidenced by the critical and commercial acclaim for The Time Has Come, the lavish and definitive four CD box set released in March 2007, and their BBC Radio 2 Lifetime Achievement Award presented in February 2007 at the BBC Folk Awards by Sir David Attenborough. This concert is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for long-time fans to revisit and new fans to experience for the first time the magic that is Pentangle. Sunday 29 June 2008, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Doors 7.00pm. Tickets (£30/£25/£15) go on sale at 10.00am on Thursday 8 November 2007 from the Southbank Centre Ticket Office on 0871 663 2500 or www.southbankcentre.co.uk. (Transaction fees apply except for Southbank Centre members).

“The Folk Beatles…The greatest and most adventurous acoustic ‘supergroup' of their time” – The Word (April 2007)

“Pentangle still rule the roost” – The Times (9 February 2007)

“Pentangle revolutionised 60s music” – MOJO (April 2007)

“The godfathers of English folk music…unquestionably the core template for today's blooming nu-folk scene” – Metro (23 March 2007)

“Pentangle was electrifying, particularly at a time of unprecedented free thinking in music. Together they created an intoxicating instrumental force” – Jazzwise ( April 2007)

“One of the most experimental and influential bands of the Sixties” – The Sun (23 February 2007)

“Pentangle rewrote the Britfolk rulebook…America has nothing to match them” – The Daily Mirror (9 March 2007)

“Britain's Grateful Dead” – The Guardian (16 March 2007)

There is now an official myspace page set up for Pentangle – check it out at myspace.com/pentangle.

West Coast US dates August 2007 – Meg Baird (Espers) to support

Following his East Coast dates in June, Bert plays on the West Coast of America this month. The wonderful Meg Baird from Espers will open on some of the shows. She will appear in Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Portland and Vancouver.
The full tour list is:
LOS ANGELES – The Troubadour – Friday 24 August – tickets available from 310 276 1158 or www.troubadour.com
SANTA CRUZ – Brookdale Lodge – Saturday 25 August – tickets available from www.ticketweb.com
SAN FRANCISCO – Swedish American Hall – Sunday 26 August – tickets available from 415 861 5016 or www.cafedunord.com
PORTLAND – Lola's – Tuesday 28 August – tickets available from 503 225 0047 or www.mcmenamins.com
VANCOUVER – Richard's on Richards – Thursday 30 August – tickets available from 604 687 6794 or www.richardsonrichards.com
SEATTLE – Bumbershoot Festival – Saturday 1 September – tickets available from www.bumbershoot.com

See you there!

Somerset House (July 14) and Manchester International Festival (July 13) – with Beth Orton and Bernard Butler

Part of the prestigious Somerset House Summer Series, Bert will play London's beautiful Somerset House on Saturday July 14 2007. Bert's show at this stunning open-air venue will feature special guest appearances from Beth Orton and Bernard Butler. Paul Wassif will also guest. Beth and Paul, of course, appear on Bert's highly acclaimed latest album, The Black Swan. Bernard was on the previous two albums, Edge of A Dream and Crimson Moon. Tickets (£22.50) are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or 0870 145 1120. Doors open at 7.20pm.

Bert also plays on Friday July 13, with guest appearances from Beth Orton, Bernard Butler and Paul Wassif, at the Manchester International Festival. The show takes place at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. Tickets (£15.00 - £22.50) are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

There was a great feature on Bert, Beth and Bernard ahead of the shows in The Times on Friday 29 June – to read it click here.

Bert tests the acoustics of The Royal Festival Hall

Bert was involved in a special invitation only concert at The Royal Festival Hall in London on 30 April 2007 to test the acoustics of the newly refurbished historic venue ahead of its grand re-opening in June. The evening was curated by Saint Etienne and involved several different artists. Bert has a long history with the Festival Hall – Pentangle played their first major show there on 27 May 1967, and recorded the live disc of Sweet Child there on 29 June 1968. Playing solo, Bert shared a bill there on 25 September 1967 with Jimi Hendrix.

Bert guests with Peter Doherty

Bert was the special guest of Peter Doherty at Doherty's two solo shows at The Hackney Empire on 11/12 April 2007. The Babyshambles singer, a fan of Bert's work, asked Bert to appear on the show, and performed a poignant version of Bert's famous Needle of Death with him – a song Bert had not previously played in public for many years.

Pentangle reform for the BBC Folk Awards

The original line-up of Pentangle reformed for one night on Monday 5 February 2007 especially for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, where they were presented with a special Lifetime Acheivement Award by national treasure Sir David Attenborough. More than 33 years after the band split, and on the 40th anniversary of the opening of Bert and John's club at The Horseshoe in London's Tottenham Court Road – where it all started – Bert took the stage once more with John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Terry Cox and Danny Thompson for an exclusive performance of Bruton Town and Light Flight . The Award ceremony was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday 7 February. To hear the show, or for more information on the Awards click here.

Pentangle Box Set receives tremendous acclaim

The lavish and gorgeously put together four CD Pentangle box set, The Time Has Come 1967–1973, released by Sanctuary on 12 March 2007 was greeted with a tumult of critical acclaim:

* * * * * "Pentangle rewrote the Britfolk rulebook"
"immense - America has nothing to match them" – THE DAILY MIRROR (9 March 2007)

* * * * * "Mandatory listening for all nu-folkies" – THE INDEPENDENT (22 February 2007)

"a must-have"
"one of the most experimental and influential bands of the Sixties"
"If ever a band's time has come it's Pentangle's" – THE SUN (23 February 2007)

* * * * "as forceful and incredible as Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway To Heaven'"
"both Jimmy Page and Neil Young owe a lump of their careers to this daring English five-piece"
"like walking through an exotic land...supreme" – RECORD COLLECTOR

* * * * "Compilation of the Month" – THE OBSERVER (OBSERVER MUSIC MONTHLY) (18 February 2007)

* * * * “Rare mercurial magic”
“an impressive overview of the group's best years” – UNCUT (February 2007)

* * * * "Pentangle was electrifying, particularly at a time of unprecedented free thinking in music. Together they created an intoxicating instrumental force...Their time has, indeed, come again" – JAZZWISE

"The godfathers of English folk music"
"unquestionably the core template for today's blooming nu folk scene"
"stunningly supple...purity incarnate...its harmony-soaked, loose-limbed experimentalism sounds as vital now as it surely did then" – METRO (23 March 2007)

* * * * “an alluring prospect for Pentangle aficionado, general folk fan and intrigued neophyte alike”
“Lavishly packaged...compiler Colin Harper has dug into a rich seam of ephemera – almost a secret history of Pentangle” – MOJO (February 2007)

There were features on Pentangle in The Times on Friday 9 February (to read it click here); in The Guardian on Friday 16 March (read it here); in the April issue of MOJO and the April issue of The Word; and a great piece from the Folk Awards on the Today programme (including quotes from Sir David Attenborough) on BBC Radio 4 – you can hear it here.

The Time Has Come is both a glorious and accessible ‘best of' and a treasure trove of lost gems, featuring the cream of Pentangle's album tracks, singles and B-sides – newly re-mastered – alongside no less than 20 previously unreleased performances and rarities. It comes with a beautifully illustrated 60 page full-colour book incorporating extensive sleevenotes and lots of unseen photos and memorabilia. To buy it click here.

Original Pentangle to reform for one night only

Pentangle are to reform for one night on Monday 5 February especially for the 2007 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, where they will receive a special award. More than 33 years after they disbanded, and on the 40th anniversary of the opening of Bert and John's club at The Horseshoe in London's Tottenham Court Road where it all started, Bert will take the stage with John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Terry Cox and Danny Thompson for an exclusive performance. The Award ceremony will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday 7 February at 7.00pm GMT (88-90.2 FM or listen online here – available live and for one week after the show). For more information on the Awards from the BBC click here.

Pentangle Box Set announced

A four CD box set, The Time Has Come 1967–1973, covering the original Pentangle's six year career as jazz/folk fusion pioneers and darlings of both the underground and the mainstream, will be released by Sanctuary on Monday 12 March. This lavish and definitive set is both a glorious and accessible ‘best of' and a treasure trove of lost gems. The Time Has Come features the cream of Pentangle's album tracks, singles and B-sides – newly re-mastered – alongside no less than 20 previously unreleased performances and rarities. It comes with a beautifully illustrated 60 page full-colour book incorporating extensive sleevenotes and lots of unseen photos and memorabilia.

Beth Orton and Bernard Butler to appear with Bert at The Roundhouse, Scott Matthews to support

Beth Orton, in her first appearance since birth of her daughter in December, will guest with Bert at his London show at The Roundhouse on January 12 2007. Bernard Butler and Paul Wassif will also guest during the show. Beth and Paul, of course, both appear on Bert's highly acclaimed new album The Black Swan. The show takes place at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8EH on Friday 12 January at 7.00pm. Tickets are £13.50 - £18.50 from 0870 389 1846 or www1.roundhouse.org.uk/whatson. Scott Matthews has been announced as support for the evening (www.scottmatthewsmusic.co.uk).

James Yorkston to support Bert in Paris

James Yorkston will be supporting Bert at Bert's Paris show on Wednesday 13 December. The show takes place at New Morning, 7-9 r. des Petites-Ecuries, Paris, France. Tickets are €25.30 from www.fnac.com, 0892 683 622 / +33 141573228, www.ticketnet.fr, 0892 390 100, / +33 146915757.

Mark Radcliffe Show – BBC Radio 2 – 23 November 2006

Bert will be appearing on the Mark Radcliffe Show on Thursday 23 November 2006. The show airs on BBC Radio 2 (88-91 FM or online at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/radcliffe) from 22.30 - midnight GMT.

Bert performs with Neil Young at Bridge School Benefit Concert

Bert and Neil Young performed together at Young's Bridge School Benefit Concerts at Shoreline Amphitheatre, CA on 22 October. The two opened the show on the Sunday with a rendition of Ambulance Blues, the song long-time fan Neil has said was heavily influenced by Bert's Needle of Death.

Bert also played a set on both days (Sat and Sun 21/22 October) with Devendra Banhart and his band. (Devendra appears on Bert's widely acclaimed new album The Black Swan alongside Beth Orton, Otto Hauser (Espers, Vetiver), Helena Espvall (Espers) and others). Bert played with Devendra and the band during their whole set (which included amongst their own songs the two songs of Bert's they played in LA) on both days of the Bridge School Benefits.

Neil was later spotted at Bert's own show at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on Oct 25.

ArthurNights in LA

Bert played a great set at ArthurNights at the Palace Theatre in Los Angeles on 19 October alongside Devendra Banhart, Espers and lots of others (Devendra headlining, Bert next). Bert also played two of his own songs (My Pocket's Empty and When I Get Home) with Devendra's band in their set. There was a big feature on Bert and The Black Swan in the LA Times the day before the gig and a great review in that paper afterwards.

US Press Reaction to The Black Swan

Now the album is out in the US the press reaction there is as fantastic as in the rest of the world. There have been great reviews in, for example, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and Pitchfork website.

“Jansch's greatness comes through best – poised and clear” – ROLLING STONE (2 November 2006)

“Better than Dylan…Swan is a better roots record than the last three Dylan releases combined” – SAN FRANCISCO WEEKLY (25-31 October 2006)

“dark and sweet” – THE NEW YORK TIMES (16 October 16 2006)

“remarkably expressive” – LOS ANGELES TIMES (18 October 2006)

“as haunting as it is gently beautiful” - THE ONION (19 October 2006)

“his best in recent years…a lovely, masterly affair” – SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN (18-24 October 2006)

A-, EW Pick “41 years after his debut, he can still demand to be heard”– Entertainment Weekly (20 October 2006)

Vinyl version of The Black Swan out now (17 October)

The vinyl LP version of The Black Swan is out now on Drag City (available worldwide) and looks and sounds magnificent.

Dazzling Stranger paperback reissued

Dazzling Stranger: Bert Jansch and The British Folk and Blues Revival , the excellent biography of Bert by Colin Harper, has been reissued in paperback in an updated edition with a great new cover, new foreword by Johnny Marr, new discography and other new material. Published by Bloomsbury, for more information or to buy it click here. There is a four star review of the book in the current MOJO (December 2006).

Paris and London dates – Dec 13 2006 and Jan 12 2007

Bert plays the New Morning in Paris on December 13 and has just announced a London date at The Roundhouse on January 12 2007 (www1.roundhouse.org.uk/whatson or 0870 389 1846 for tickets).

Bert to appear with Devendra Banhart at Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit Concerts

Bert will appear with Devendra Banhart at Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit at Shoreline Amphitheatre, CA on October 21/22 (www.bridgeschool.org/events). Bert will play with Devendra and his band during their set. Devendra appears on Bert's acclaimed new album The Black Swan alongside Beth Orton, Otto Hauser (Espers, Vetiver), Helena Espvall (Espers), and others. The album has had amazing reviews across Europe and comes out in the US on Drag City on October 17.

Bert to play in the US

Bert will perform in the US for the first time in eight years in October and November at ArthurNights in Los Angeles (Oct 19), The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco (Oct 25), Southpaw in Brooklyn (Nov 14) and The Empty Bottle in Chicago (Nov 17). More info on ‘live info' page.

Press reaction to The Black Swan

The new album, The Black Swan, has been getting phenomenal press reaction across Europe:

* * * * * / "MOJO INSTANT CLASSIC"

“his strongest album in years”

“a beautiful, evocative piece of music” – MOJO (October 2006)

5/5 “Bert's best album in years” – THE SUN (22 September 2006)

* * * * “about as perfect a fusion of old Janschian virtues with nu-acoustic production values as you could wish for”

“cracked & beautiful” – THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY (17 September 2006)

“Few albums could usher in the autumn with such quiet grace and majesty” – THE WORD (October 2006)

* * * * “haunting and powerful”

“Bert Jansch continues to thrive outside the dictates of time and fashion” – UNCUT (October 2006)

“a masterful musician whose powers are in full effect”

“ravishing…A sustained pleasure” – Q (October 2006)

* * * * “rippling, shimmering acoustic guitar in a set of new and traditional songs of lucid fluidity” – THE SUNDAY TIMES (17 September 2006)

* * * * “highly focused, finger picked folk blues twist and flow like rivulets of dazzling water”

“sounding as fresh as the proverbial daisy” – METRO (18 September 2006)

“Amid the flowering of nu-folk, it's heartening to find the old guard's most eminent member in indomitable form” – THE OBSERVER (10 September 2006)

* * * * “impressive” – THE GUARDIAN (15 September 2006)

“a phenomenal achievement” – THE LIST (SCOTLAND) (24 Aug – 7 Sep 2006)

“songs of stark, delicate beauty” – METRO (CARDIFF) (5 September 2006)

“wonderfully engaging” – THE TIMES (16 September 2006)

* * * * “The injection of new talent works wonders” – THE INDEPENDENT (22 September 2006)

* * * * “a beautifully-textured collection of songs old and new” – THE INDEPENDENT (MUSIC) ( 30 August 2006)

“exemplary new album…superb”

“The legend shows no sign of slowing up…long may he reign” – HMV CHOICE (September/October 2006)

“The man who inspired Jimmy Page and Neil Young remains a master” – THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (30 September 2006)

Bert appeared on Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone on BBC6 on Sunday September 17, where he played The Old Triangle and A Woman Like You (both from the new album) live, and he is currently on the cover of ACOUSTIC MAGAZINE (check it out and buy copies at www.acousticmagazine.com). And lots more press and radio besides – too numerous to reproduce here!

Release date for The Black Swan

Bert's long-awaited new album The Black Swan will be released on Sanctuary on September 18 worldwide (except USA and Canada) and on Drag City on October 17 in the USA and Canada. Drag City will also release a vinyl LP version worldwide on October 17. Producer Noah Georgeson (Joanna Newsom – Milk-Eyed Mender, Devendra Banhart – Cripple Crow) worked with Bert on the record, as well as a number of guest musicians including Devendra Banhart, Beth Orton, Otto Hauser (Espers, Vetiver), Helena Espvall (Espers), Kevin Barker (Currituck Co.), Paul Wassif and Adam Jansch.

Bert says: “It's been fantastic working with everyone who's been involved on the record. They all came to it from a standpoint of being fans of my music, so while there are lots of great musicians making wonderful contributions to the record it still has a very acoustic, intimate feel – and there's still a lot of me on there!”

Tracklisting for The Black Swan is:

1. The Black Swan (Bert Jansch)

2. High Days (Bert Jansch)

3. When The Sun Comes Up (Bert Jansch) – features Beth Orton

4. Katie Cruel (Trad Arr. Bert Jansch) – features Beth Orton and Devendra Banhart

5. My Pocket's Empty (Trad Arr. Bert Jansch)

6. Watch The Stars (Trad Arr. Bert Jansch) – features Beth Orton and Kevin Barker

7. A Woman Like You (Bert Jansch)

8. The Old Triangle (Trad Arr. Bert Jansch)

9. Bring Your Religion (Bert Jansch)

10. Texas Cowboy Blues (Bert Jansch)

11. Magdalina's Dance (Bert Jansch/Paul Wassif)

12. Hey Pretty Girl (Bert Jansch)

Bert's Myspace

Bert now has an official myspace page – check it out at www.myspace.com/bertjansch

Bert on film

Bert's music has been used recently in two feature films. Four tracks: Courting Blues, Come Sing Me A Happy Song To Prove We All Can Get Along The Lumpy Bumpy Long And Dusty Road, Bright New Year and Life Depends On Love were used in Noah Baumbach's acclaimed movie The Squid and The Whale starring Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney. More info at www.squidandthewhalemovie.com. Bert's version of Davy Graham's Angie was used in the British romantic comedy Confetti starring Martin Freeman, Jessica Stevenson and Alison Steadman (www.confettimovie.co.uk). Both of these are now available on DVD. In Bert's collection they join Calendar Girls, the huge hit movie starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters which featured Black Cat Blues from Bert's 2002 Edge of a Dream album.

MOJO Honours June 2006
Bert received the Mojo Merit Award at the Mojo Honours List ceremony on 5 June. The award is “based around an expanded career that still continues to be inspirational” and was presented by Beth Orton and Roy Harper. Other award winners were David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Sir Elton John, who reminisced from the stage about how he and Bernie Taupin used to sit around listening to Bert Jansch records!

The New Album!

Bert's new album The Black Swan is almost finished and due out in the Autumn. Working with Bert on the record is producer Noah Georgeson (Joanna Newsom – Milk-eyed Mender, Devendra Banhart – Cripple Crow), as well as a number of guest musicians and vocalists, including Devendra Banhart, Beth Orton, Otto Hauser (Espers, Vetiver) and Kevin Barker (Currituck Co.). Most of these were also at All Tomorrow's Parties in May where Bert shared a bill with Devendra and Hairy Fairy, Vetiver, Espers, Jandek and others. Bert will also be playing at The Green Man Festival on 20 August as well as the Edinburgh Festival on 21, 22 and 27 August.

New gigs!

Bert is fit and well again and is back on the road in April and May. The new dates are finally up on the live info page. He is playing various places in England through April and heading over to Ireland in the first half of May. Then Bert will play at All Tomorrow's Parties (the Devendra Banhart curated day) at Camber Sands on May 14. For more information on the All Tomorrow's Parties festival click here.

Guitar Man

March 20 sees the publication by Bloomsbury of Guitar Man by Will Hodgkinson, a brilliantly funny and illuminating story of a grown man coming to grips with the guitar. The book features Bert majorly as along the way Will gets inspiration and instruction from the master. For more information or to buy a copy click here.

Saturday 11 February 2006

Tonight's repeat of last night's second episode of Folk Britannia (see below) - which features Bert and is broadcast at 11.10pm GMT on BBC4, will be followed by a showing of Bert's 2003 60th Birthday BBC Session (featuring guests Johnny Marr, Bernard Butler, Jacqui McShee, Ralph McTell and others) at 1.00am on BBC4 . This will be followed in turn at 2.00am by Pentangle In Concert.

Folk Britannia February 2006

Bert is featured in Folk Britannia, a major three part BBC TV series to be shown on BBC4 starting Friday 3 February at 9.00pm GMT. For more information on the series click here.

There is also a Folk Britannia festival of concerts and films at The Barbican in London to coincide with the TV series. Bert will perform in “Into The Mystic”, a major multi-artist concert on Saturday 4 February. For more information and to book tickets click here. There will also be a showing in the festival of a film of Pentangle in concert in 1971(for info and booking click here).

Bert Jansch & Beth Orton 8 & 12 December 2005

Bert will be Beth Orton's special guest at her concerts at The Spitz in Spitalfields, London on December 8 and 12.

Bert Jansch & Davy Graham Oxford 6 December 2005

Following Bert's recent fantastic gigs with Davy Graham at the Edinburgh Festival, the two guitar legends are repeating the show in December in Oxford. The concert will take place at The Holywell Music Rooms, Holywell Street, Oxford on Tuesday 6 December at 8.00pm. More info at www.lescousins.co.uk.

Bert Jansch & Davy Graham Edinburgh Festival August 21/22 2005

Bert teams up with his own guitar hero, Davy Graham, for a sensational double bill for two nights at the Edinburgh Festival on August 21 and 22. Two genuine guitar gods on one stage – not to be missed! The shows take place at the Acoustic Music Centre at St Bride's (Edinburgh Festival Fringe Venue 123), 10 Orwell Terrace, Edinburgh EH11 on Sunday 21 and Monday 22 August at 8.30pm. Tickets (£15.00/£12.00) are available from:

www.edfringe.com

www.acousticmusiccentre.com

St Bride's box office: 0131 346 1405

Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000

These will be the first performances for Bert since recovering from his recent heart surgery, for which he had to cancel a proposed tour. Those dates will now be rescheduled for the spring.

Press and Radio

Bert was featured extensively in the recent (15 July 2005) article on Davy Graham in The Guardian – which called Bert a "guitar god" (to read the article click here), and also in pieces on Davy in Time Out (July 13-20) and in the current MOJO (Sept 2005). He was also interviewed for an hour long Radio 2 special on Davy to be broadcast on 20 August ahead of the concerts.

The Guitarist Book of Acoustic

Bert is showcased extensively in a new book published by Guitarist magazine: The Guitarist Book of Acoustic. This features a range of acoustic players from Bert to Eric Clapton, and is available exclusively at W.H. Smith.

Patti Smith's Meltdown – 24 June 2005

Bert recently performed in US:UK FOLK CONNECTIONS at the Royal Festival Hall, London on Friday June 24 as part of Patti Smith's Meltdown. The concert topped the 'must list' in The Guardian that day (to read it click here). It was a great performance: Bert did two numbers on his own, two with Johnny Marr and one with Beth Orton, and a great night was had by all. There was a review in The Guardian which described Bert as "magnificent" (to read the review click here).

Patti Smith's Meltdown – 24 June 2005

Bert will be performing in US:UK FOLK CONNECTIONS at the Royal Festival Hall, London on Friday June 24 as part of Patti Smith's Meltdown. The event will also include Lenny Kaye, Robyn Hitchcock, Johnny Marr, John Paul Jones, Roy Harper, Martin Stephenson, Robin and Bina Williamson, Shirley Collins and Jean Ritchie. Tickets are available from 08703 808 300 or www.rfh.org.uk. For more information on Patti Smith's Meltdown click here.

BBC Scotland Radio Show 22/27 February 2005

BBC Radio Scotland's half hour feature programme about the 1965 Bert Jansch album (presented by Davie Scott) will be aired Tuesday 22 February at 11.30 (UK time) and repeated Sunday 27 Feb at 17.05. Tune in live or click the listen again button online at: www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland.

December 2004

Bert is delighted to announce that Beth Orton has confirmed a guest appearance at next week's London show at the South Bank's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Monday 13 December. Already in the line-up are David Roback of Mazzy Star and Paul Wassif (who played on Black Cat Blues, the track from Edge of a Dream that was used in the film Calendar Girls) and Bernard Butler is also expected. Bert will preview material from his new album due out next year, as well as the old favourites. Tickets are available now from 08703 800400 or www.rfh.org.uk

David Roback of Mazzy Star has confirmed he will do a guest spot with Bert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall show on Monday 13 December 2004. Also rumoured for the show are Bernard Butler and Paul Wassif, who played on Black Cat Blues, the track from Edge of a Dream that appeared in the film Calendar Girls. Tickets are available now from 08703 800400 or www.rfh.org.uk.

Bert is also making an appearance at Ralph McTell's 60th Birthday Concert on Friday 26 November 2004 at the Royal Festival Hall. www.rfh.org.uk or www.ralphmctell.co.uk for more information.

Bert has just returned from three great sell-out gigs in Scotland. Old friend Billy Connolly turned up at the Aberdeen show, where a great night was had by all. The concert at the Edinburgh Festival was an outstanding performance, and was recorded by BBC Radio Scotland for future broadcast.

More gigs for September to December have been added to the live info page, and Bert has just announced a major London concert on 13 December at the Queen Elizabeth Hall (08703 800400).

Bert is playing a special duo show with Bernard Butler at Galway Arts Festival in Ireland on Thursday 22 July. This is a repeat of the rapturously received show they did together at Glasgow's Barrowlands at the Celtic Connections Festival in January. Tickets are Euro18.00 (16.00 concessions) from +353 (0)91 566577 or www.galwayartsfestival.com, and the concert takes place at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Lough Atalia Road, Galway

Bert plays a one-off show at London's Jazz Café on Sunday 25 July. His previous sell-out performances here have been great nights. Tickets are £12.50 in advance (£15 on the door) from 08701 500 044 or www.jazzcafe.co.uk. Bert also appears at Cambridge Folk Festival (BBC stage, Sunday night, 1 August, 01223 357851) and Edinburgh Festival (26 August , Queens Hall, Edinburgh, 0131 668 2019).

The newly discovered live album, Bert Jansch–The River Sessions, recorded at City Hall in Glasgow in 1974 (released by River Records) is now available. The River Sessions sees Bert in magnificent form, in an extraordinary set drawing from the two albums of the period: LA Turnaround and Santa Barbara Honeymoon. Eight of the fourteen tracks are from LA Turnaround – the only place right now to find so many songs from this seminal and sought-after album on CD. (LA Turnaround is so sought-after that even Bert himself had to resort to buying a vinyl copy on ebay!) What makes The River Sessions even more special is that the songs were originally recorded and performed in a group setting, while here they are superb solo tracks – pure Bert Jansch and his guitar. There are full sleeve-notes with brand new track-by-track comments from Bert himself.

Jazz Café show July 25 – Cambridge and Edinburgh festivals – new gigs
Lots of new gigs on the live info page – as well as Bert's appearances at Cambridge Folk Festival (BBC stage, Sunday night, 1 August – 01223 357851) and Edinburgh Festival (26 August, Queens Hall, Edinburgh – 0131 668 2019), Bert is playing a one-off show at London's Jazz Café on Sunday 25 July 2004. His previous sell-out performances here have been great nights. Tickets are £12.50 in advance (£15 on the door) from 08701 500 044 or www.jazzcafe.co.uk. Other new gigs are also listed, including an intimate club date at Nottingham's Maze (7 July) – don't miss it.

Live album release
The newly discovered live album, Bert Jansch–The River Sessions, recorded at City Hall in Glasgow in 1974 (released by River Records) should be available mid-June. The River Sessions sees Bert in magnificent form in an extraordinary set drawing from the two albums of the period: LA Turnaround and Santa Barbara Honeymoon. Eight of the fourteen tracks are from LA Turnaround – the only place right now to find so many songs from this seminal album on CD. What makes it even more special is the songs were originally recorded and performed in a group setting, while here they are superb solo tracks – pure Bert Jansch and his guitar. There are full sleeve-notes with brand new track-by-track comments from Bert himself.

March 2004
After a quiet period (recovering from all the excitement of the birthday concerts) things are hotting up again. Bert is now in the studio working on tracks for a new album – watch this space for more details.

A live album recorded at the City Hall in Glasgow in 1974 has been discovered and is soon to be released by River Records. It’s an extraordinary set – even Bert was blown away when he heard it – and features tracks from LA Turnaround, most of which are not available anywhere else, including the only known live version of Chambertin.

There are lots of new gigs on the gigs page, and Bert will be playing this years Cambridge Folk Festival (1 August), and at the Edinburgh Festival (26 August) – see live info page for details.

Watch this space for more news – we’ll be trying to keep the site more up to date than has been happening recently (a few problems got in the way but are resolved now) and also if you have sent us an email – we have got them and we will reply (had a few problems with that as well but all sorted out now!)

Johnny ‘Guitar’ Hodge album
La Luna, the album Bert produced for Johnny ‘Guitar’ Hodge (some of you will have seen Johnny perform at Bert’s gigs, and may know about the album) has been finished at last. It’s a great record, and Bert plays on two tracks. Among Johnny’s excellent songs there’s a cover version of Bert’s Step Back, and there’s also the original version of La Luna – Johnny’s song that Bert covered on Edge of a Dream. If you’d like to get hold of a copy, contact Johnny at jguitar@blueyonder.co.uk

Bert Jansch & Bernard Butler – 23 Jan 2004
Bert will be performing a major concert together with Bernard Butler at Glasgow’s Barrowlands on January 23 2004, as part of the prestigious Celtic Connections festival. Tickets are available by phone, post or in person from The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3NY (0141 353 8000) or check out www.celticconnections.com for further details.

60th Birthday Celebrations – November 2003
The birthday concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 8 November was a triumphant success. Everyone on stage did a fantastic job and the sell-out audience was wonderfully warm and enthusiastic – even breaking into a spontaneous massed chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ at the beginning of the second set! Thank you to everyone who was there – both on stage and off. It was a truly wonderful evening. It was reviewed in The Guardian on 12 November – to read the review click here. The BBC birthday special was shown on BBC4 on Friday 21 November at 9.00pm (repeated later that night at 12.35am and again on Saturday night at 1.05am). This separate live performance was also excellent, and there has been great reaction to the broadcast.