New Shows and Festivals Announced, More Community Singing and Acting

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Lisa Redford – Community Singing Sessions at the Millennium Library, Norwich

When I started the fun and free #community #singing sessions in Norwich libraries earlier this year, I didn’t think it would continue to grow. I’m excited to be starting a new #online singing group from June 6 – July 11 for Viewpoint – a mental health service user charity based in Hertfordshire.

I’ve also been really enjoying running my beginner ukulele and guitar courses at Wensum Lodge this summer term. It’s been so rewarding and fun to teach in-person again after so long and share my passion for both instruments. I’m also resuming my one to one music lessons in-person and have a new teaching venue: the beautiful Christ Church, just off Mile End Road at NR2 2AQ. If you would like to find out more, please get in contact.

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Viewpoint Singing Group

I’m also continuing to enjoy a mixture of acting roles. I had a great time recently filming in a beautiful North Norfolk beachside location, part of a fascinating true story and playing a glamorous party girl. It’s exciting to finally see projects coming on to the screen and I’m really looking forward to seeing ‘This England’ on Sky TV later this year in which I play a journalist in one scene. Kenneth Branagh looking and sounding remarkably like Boris Johnson!

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Playing a party girl in upcoming crime documentary
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Upcoming Gigs!

Really excited that I will be performing on Thursday 30th June at The Reindeer Norwich with wonderful award-winning Americana duo, The Weeping Willows from Melbourne, Australia. The free gig will be part of their upcoming UK tour which also includes a performance at this year’s Maverick Festival.

I’m also looking forward to returning to the lovely Reepham Festival; performing at Whitwell Station on Sunday, August 6th. More details on their official website and the shows page.

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Guitar and Ukulele for Beginner Courses, Community Singing

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Adult learning courses at Wensum Lodge, Norwich

I’m really excited to be running beginner ukulele and guitar courses at Wensum Lodge for the first time starting April 25th. They are part of a programme of new and exciting creative, language and wellbeing courses which include Stained Glass; Botanical Art and Architectural Drawing; Latin; Philosophy; Textiles upcycling and alterations; Yoga; Polish language; Photography and Creative Writing. Here are some nice new flyers from Adult Learning for the courses and there are also taster sessions happening next week. To find out more details and to book, please visit here

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Introduction to Guitar and Ukulele Taster sessions
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Community Singing Sessions – Warming up

How joyous is this photo! The community singing sessions I have been running at Earlham Library and The Millennium Library in Norwich have been lots of fun to do and so rewarding too. To hear comments from people saying that I’ve made their day and really cheered them up means such a lot. I’ve also had some great song requests and it’s been lovely to see people coming back each week to sing classic songs together. Thanks so much to everyone who has come along to a session and all the kind words. There are video clips of some of the singalongs at The Millennium Library’s Facebook Page

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A community singing session at Earlham Library, Norwich
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Singing at the The Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library
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A lovely piece at Folk Features on why singing and music means so much to me

I’m also looking forward to playing some gigs and festivals soon. Check out the shows page where I will be posting details of live shows.

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Live at the Canopy Theatre, Suffolk. Photo by Rodney Kidd

Fun Community Singing Sessions, Running Music Courses, TV Roles, New Live Videos

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Free Community Singing Sessions

I’ve been wanting to do something positive and inspiring for awhile that reflects my passion for music and singing and could really make a difference to those who are struggling with their mental health or loneliness at the moment. I’m really excited to be running some free, fun and informal community singing sessions at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library starting Tuesday 22nd February 2.30pm – 3.30pm – also at Earlham Library at 11.00am – 12pm on the same day – and then every Tuesday for 6 weeks.

Try these new singing sessions to boost your wellbeing where we’ll be singing a selection of classic, well known songs to uplift, connect and make you smile. No previous experience is required and there is no need to read music. All are welcome – feel to come along and drop in on the day. Here’s a piece I’ve written about the sessions for my friends at All Things Norfolk on why singing and music is so important to me.

Come and join me to have fun, connect with others and improve our wellbeing through a shared singing experience!

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Teaching Guitar for Beginners starting in April

I’m also really excited to be running two 10 week beginner courses in guitar and ukulele at Wensum Lodge in Norwich starting in the summer term for Norfolk County Council. I can’t wait to share my passion for teaching both instruments and to help you learn the basic skills to get you started with playing chords and strumming. More information about the guitar course is here

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Teaching a Ukulele for Beginners Course – Starting in April

It has been really fun, and a new creative challenge, to try some acting and work as a supporting artist recently on a variety of drama and documentary programmes. It’s really exciting finally seeing some of the TV projects that I’ve worked on finally hitting the screen. Now on britbox, “Magpie Murders” which was filmed in beautiful Suffolk and where I played a nurse:

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Also on Netflix is “Catching Killers” – being a cop!

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Now showing on American subscription streaming service Acorn TV is the brand new series of Emmy Award-nominated mystery drama “Queens of Mystery”. It was a lot of fun to appear in episode “The Modern Art of Murder” Pictured here on set in London with brilliant actresses Julie Graham, Siobhan Redmond and Florence Hall.

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“Let Go” Live at the Canopy Theatre, Suffolk. Jason French on fiddle

I’ve been going through some live performances from the past few months when it was great to play again to audiences. Thanks to Rodney Kidd for filming original song “Let Go” live from The Canopy Theatre, Hungate Church, Beccles, Suffolk for Martello Promotions~ a lovely headline show in September 2021. Jason French on fiddle.

Performing original song “Carolina Rain” from a lovely Women in Music Day at The Brickmakers Norwich. Jason French on fiddle. Thanks to Liz for filming.

A live solo performance this time. Always really nice to perform at Deepdale Festival in beautiful Burnham Deepdale, North Norfolk. Thanks to Karl for getting some footage of the show on iPhone.

Lisa Redford “Here Alone” Live at Canopy Theatre, Suffolk

Another performance from Canopy Theatre, Suffolk: “Here Alone” with Jason French on fiddle. More live performances on my YouTube channel.

Fundraising Single for Future Radio, Collaboration Projects

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I’ve been busy with a few creative projects and excited that I have written an original song for Future Radio in Norwich. The photo above is from a video shoot for the #fundraising single release. “This Fine City” will be released to coincide with #LocalRadioDay & features a host of talented friends and artists from Norfolk. More news soon!

I love to collaborate on music projects and also to perform other artists’s material – it really inspires me and my own writing – so I’ve really enjoyed interpreting this lovely, heartfelt song written by Kate Raison, a talented songwriter who I met during Chris Difford’s Songwriting Retreat last year. Here is also an acoustic demo of the song that I’ve recorded: https://soundcloud.com/user-466575967/dont-tell-me-that-you-love-me-tonight-demo-sung-by-lisa-redford

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Thrilled to be in the beautiful new video by artist Megan O’Neill for her single Fire with Fire — a powerful and amazing celebration of women and women in music – alongside incredible female artists, please watch: Thank you Megan for this incredible message

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“heartfelt lyrics, beautiful vocal harmonies & a gentle melody. Lisa brings out first class lyrics alongside haunting string instruments & scenic visuals.” Huge thanks to worldwide platform Music Crowns for a brilliant review of Edge of Love:

Really enjoyed the recent Sheryl Crow BBC Radio 2 #livefromhome #festival performance ❤️🎵  always loved this fantastic song of hers “Sad Sad World” from a special edition of her self-titled album released in 1996.

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Not long before #lockdown my CD’s were made available to buy at HMV Norwich – check them out now and support #liveandlocal brilliant how they’re supporting local independent artists.

Almost There! PledgeMusic Campaign at 95%! More from the Studio

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A post shared by Lisa Redford (@lisaredfordmusic) on Nov 12, 2018 at 11:40am PST

Recording for the new EP has continued and it’s been really productive and exciting. As mentioned, I am working with the super talented musician and producer José McGill – band-leader of the award-winning Vagaband – who has created some beautiful arrangements and contributed his huge music talent on an array of instruments.

I can’t wait for you to hear the new material. As well as the musicians already mentioned, there is some wonderful pedal steel from Alan Cook – who I recorded my latest Bob Harris “Under the Apple Tree” session with – and also beautiful cello from award-winning cellist Ivan McCready.

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View this post on Instagram

Some wonderful #cello being recorded in the #studio can’t wait to share the new songs! #cellist #music #musician #strings #arts #recordingstudio #musicmonday #video #songwriter #classy #session #original #originalsong #composer #score #musicalscore #sheetmusic

A post shared by Lisa Redford (@lisaredfordmusic) on Nov 26, 2018 at 3:42am PST

I also love to write about music and here is my latest article for All Things Norfolk – a local arts and music website. Here I talk more about the process of recording and the amazing talented musicians involved as well as previewing upcoming gigs and reviewing short films at Norwich Film Festival:

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My lastest column for All Things Norfolk  View this post on Instagram

Now at 80% for my @pledgemusic #crowdfunding #campaign yippee! A little thank you from Wesley and I @piano_tearoom #norfolk #pledgemusic #project #dog #springer #spaniel #springerspaniel #music #musician #newmusic #lake #bestfriends #charity @dogstrust_norfolk #dog #countryside

A post shared by Lisa Redford (@lisaredfordmusic) on Nov 14, 2018 at 6:31am PST

Show with Sarah Darling, Under the Apple Tree Session, Press and Reviews

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It’s been a busy few days! Had a wonderful night performing at Norwich Waterfront Studio opening for Sarah Darling. It was exciting to perform two brand new songs and lovely to have the brilliant Noel Dashwood joining me on exceptional dobro and harmony vocals.

New song “I Just Can’t Forget”

Rehearsing new song “Anything But Easy” before the show:

Sarah sounded absolutely sublime and it was a joy to support her.

“With dobro player Noel by her side, she opened up the evening with a great array of original songs which she has written over her substantial career as a musician.

It was easy to be drawn in by her elegant and classy deliverance” Huge thanks to the EDP Newspaper for this great review.

“Lisa performs numbers from her recent Another Place and Time EP, several brand new songs, and also one of my favourites, Carolina Rain from the earlier Slipstream album. Lisa  has always moved seamlessly between the worlds of country and folk, but tonight’s set understandably steers more towards the former, and provides a great opener to tonight’s show.” And thanks also to Outline Magazine for their kind words.

Prior to the show I was interviewed by Fatea Magazine  about songwriting, favourite artists and my career. Huge thanks to Nic Rigby.

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The following day I had a lovely afternoon recording my second Under the Apple Tree session for Whispering Bob TV. It’s always special catching up with Bob Harris and for this session it was so nice to be reunited with pedal steel player Alan Cook who played on my second album “Lost Again”.

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Bob Harris and I between two pedal steel greats! Chris Hillman and Alan Cook.

Another BBC Radio Interview, The Big Country Show. iSing Magazine Article. Christmas Show & EP

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Had a lovely time returning to BBC Radio Norfolk at The Forum to be the studio guest of Keith Greentree on The Big Country Show. We had a great chat talking all things country and favourite artists such as Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss. Two of my tracks were also played.

The show is also broadcast on BBC Suffolk, BBC Essex, BBC Radio Northampton, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and BBC Three Counties Radio and is available to Listen Again from 21 minutes in, after Garth Brooks:

Delighted to have written my first article for iSing Magazine. The ultimate resource for singers. I’ve written about country music, some of the great artists and its history and how to sing in a country style. Issue 21 out now and available here

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“just a beautiful number which touches on the emotional aspect of the festive season. Lisa has a brilliant ability to convey that emotion perfectly to give an enchanting performance” Huge thanks to excellent country music blog Belles and Gals, who have been such a great support, feature my Christmas EP and make “St Benedict’s Christmas Fair” as a Song of the Day here

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Special fun Christmas show announced! Looking forward to singing my festive originals and also some covers at the cool Blue Joanna in the Golden Triangle.
Out now! my 5 track acoustic Christmas EP with 3 originals and 2 covers. Available on SoundCloud  

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Original festive singles “When Christmas Comes Around” and “St Benedict’s Christmas Fair” available on BandCamp Also my entire digital discography for sale at a special price on BandCamp
Have a lovely Christmas!

Recent Shows, New Live Videos, Upcoming BBC Radio Interview

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Had a great time playing two successive lovely Americana nights. I performed at Grapevine for Music at The Guildhall, who host regular showcases of great folk and country artists, and then on the following night supported I support the excellent duo, The Worry Dolls at OPEN, fresh from their recent AMA UK Award nomination. Also playing were the fabulous Morganway doing a special stripped down set.

“An easy and engaging manner between songs and wonderfully evocative, melancholic, wistful stories within them.” Thanks so much Richard Shashamané for this great review in his excellent Norwich music blog here. Superb photos too as always.

Full video of Lucinda Williams cover “Still I Long For Your Kiss” performed at OPEN. Love singing this great song:

Thanks to Connor Bannon for this cool photo from The Guildhall show:

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Following on from my recent Future Radio People’s Playlist show, where I played and talked about my favourite songs, I’m really looking forward to being the Tuesday Guest on BBC Radio Norfolk next Tuesday, 21st November between 6-7pm. I’ll be chatting to Matthew Gudgin about my career journey and all-time favourite music. Just going to be hard to whittle down my choices to only 6 favourite songs! The show link is here

Two new live videos from my recent show supporting Tom McRae. “Live Your Life” from this year’s beautiful charity compilation “Postcards for Peace”:

“Time to Grow”

Deepdale Music Festival and Upcoming Gigs

Lovely time playing Deepdale Festival at the weekend. Such a friendly relaxed atmosphere and thanks to drummer Terry for joining my set impromptu!

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Huge thanks also to Jon Clifton Photography for these great live shots:

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Live video from the festival, performing a cover of the Cat Stevens classic ‘First Cut is the Deepest.’

My latest column for All Things Norfolk previews more of my upcoming gigs including Oxjam.

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Gigs, Festivals The Garage, Live Videos

Fun evening performing at Breeze’s special EP launch at The Garage, Norwich. Thanks to Ian Edwards Photography for some great live shots:

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It was lovely to perform a duet with Breeze, this sweet Ella Henderson song ‘Yours’. Breeze shone on the night. More videos at the YouTube Channel. 

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Chillin’ after the show with all the night’s performers, Breeze, Kolin Durier and Grant Ley.

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Live video from Whitwell, Reepham Festival. Thanks to Tim Moll for filming:

More live gigs coming up including the first Deepdam Festival in the beautiful surroundings of Burnham Deepdale.

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