BROOKS WILLIAMS & AARON CATLOW: Brooks Williams & Aaron Catlow bring their singular voices to the guitar and violin tradition with soaring melodies, heart-tugging counter-melodies and agile rhythms. Seamlessly connect Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Mediterranean overtones with technical brilliance, these two are masters of their respective instruments.
Williams and Catlow met on tour in The Netherlands a couple of years ago. Later that same year, Williams invited Aaron to play with him on his 30th Anniversary album, Work My Claim. There was magic from the start.
In 2021, opportunity came from an unlikely place. Filmmaker/Photographer Simon Hurwitz asked Williams to write and record a couple of guitar pieces to accompany some short films of barn owls. Ghost Owl is shortlisted Instrumental Album Of 2021 by Fatea Awards.
A couple of tunes became an album’s worth, and Williams’ guitar was seconded by Catlow’s violin. The result is Ghost Owl, a collection of guitar and violin duets inspired by, and written for, the barn owl.
Aaron Catlow is a master violinist and half of the Bristol-based duo Hawes And Catlow, with guitarist-singer Kit Hawes. He is also the fiddler in UK festival favourite Sheelanagig. Catlow has also worked with Grammy Award-nominated Yola, Mad Dog Mcrea and Afro Celt Sound System.
Cambridge UK-based, Georgia US-born, Brooks Williams is known for both solos shows and collaborations with the likes of Boo Hewerdine, Rab Noakes and Sloan Wainwright, among others. He is named one of WUMB-FM Boston’s Top 100 All-Time Artists. Fatea refers to him as “one of those select few ‘how on earth does he do it?!’ artists.”
In concert, Williams and Catlow mine the depth of both tunes and songs, from Williams’ back catalogue as well as gems from the British and American folk tradition. Such as Church Street Blues, King Of California, and Farewell To The Gold.
It’s a Trans-Atlantic Roots Music Collaboration of the highest order. Stripped back. Virtuosic. Light and shade. Full flight.
“Aspiring guitarists and fiddlers need to listen closely.” – At The Barrier
“A thing of beauty.” – Folk Radio
“Absolutely wonderful!” – Mike Harding
“Beautiful slice of art!” – Sound & Vision
“The audience loved every minute of the performance and afterwards begged them to return to the stage…. ” – John Barker (The Big Wheel Blues Club / The Institute Laxey)
“Recalls the style of Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick….” – Songlines
