2nd Friday Concert: Blind Jack of Knaresborough

8th Jul 2022
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Inspired by Jack Metcalf’s remarkable life story, violinist Geoff Bowen invited a number of Yorkshire musicians and a narrator to take part in a production celebrating Blind Jack’s life.

After losing his sight from small pox at age 6 Jack learned to play violin and oboe and went on to earn his living as a musician before becoming famous as a road builder. By the age of 15 he was the official Spa Musician in Harrogate’s hotels and ballrooms and was also invited to play in homes of the gentry and in York Assembly Rooms. At the time of the Jacobite rebellion he marched to Culloden as a musician with the Yorkshire Blues.

The music for this presentation is from collections of dances, songs and instrumental airs published during Jack’s lifetime and known from musician’s manuscripts to have been popular in North Yorkshire. The lively musical programme will be accompanied with entertaining stories of Jack’s extraordinary escapades and achievements.

The Spa Players:
Violins: Geoff Bowen, Eva Bechelet. Oboe: Jennifer Pease.
Flute: Gordon Tyrrall. Keyboard & Vocals: Helen Hockenhull.
Cello: Anahata. Narrator: Catherine Gibson.

Doors open at 7:00pm and the performance starts at 7:30pm.

Refreshments will be available during the interval.

This event is now sold out but you may join a waiting list online through Eventbrite (a booking fee is payable).

Timings are approximate.