Beryl Marriott folk pianist
jude:
For those who might be wondering who Beryl is, here's her biog. It's a bit long, but then she has been playing for a long time ;D
Beryl Marriott, the reknowned traditional english pianist, was born in 1928 and brought up in Chester.
After training as a teacher (specialising in PE, where her ability to improvise for dance was soon noticed), she taught in Manchester & Birmingham. In 1950, she met Kate (Kay) Graham (deceased 2008), a fellow resident at the Birmingham YWCA and a fiddler. They were playing one evening when an EFDSS member heard them and put them in touch with Ken Clarke. She & Kay were soon playing for the Society. She left teaching to become a full-time musician, and was soon well-known in Birmingham with Kay for English & Scottish dancing.
In 1953, Beryl moved to London, and was soon playing regularly for the EFDSS. She worked with those taught by Cecil Sharp, & took part in all the major festivals as well as numerous weekend & vacation schools.
She appeared on several of the EFDSS records and broadcast regularly.
In 1957, after marrying (Roger), she returned to the Midlands. Although now devoting most of her time to her family, she still organized the first Birmingham Players' Club, noted for its 1959 Alnwick summer school, and to work with Charles Parker of Radio Ballad fame who she introduced to British folk music. She also played for Sidmouth festivals in the 1960s, as well as running numerous workshops.
She was instrumental in persuading the young Dave Swarbrick to take up the fiddle, which he had abandoned for the guitar, thus commencing a long association.
From 1963-67, Beryl was in Canada, where she ran a workshop at the Mariposa Folk Festival, became involved in education for children with special needs, and founded the English department of the Toronto French School, now one of the leading international schools.
On her return to England in 1967, she undertook pioneering work in education, specialising in Special Needs, a field in which she had a wide reputation.
She continued with many musical activities, mostly encouraging young musicians. In the 70s she was persuaded to return to performing with the series of records and concerts with Swarbrick and Friends, and with many appearances with Dave.
She has a long association with various members of Fairport Convention, & has played in the Fairport Ceilidhe Band.
She also plays regularly with Watling's Treat, a Leighton Buzzard-based band.
With her husband Roger, she published Tunes for the Band, a widely-used collection of traditional material.
Beryl Marriott's career spans the whole of the post-war folk revival. She is the last active musician who learned from those who worked with Cecil Sharp, carrying on the tradition re-established by him. Her experience of traditional dance playing is unrivalled, and she is regarded as the leading folk keyboard player, and an outstanding teacher of dance playing. Her influence upon the folk scene has been significent: her inspiration is acknowledged by Dave Swarbrick, Chris Leslie, Simon Mayor, Hilary James, Brian Willcocks and many others.
Since her retirement from an educational post, her album Weave the Mirror , on which she plays both solo and with members of Fairport Convention & Chris Leslie was widely acclaimed; she has been profiled in 'Growing old disgracefully' on BBC Woman's Hour; has appeared at the Cropredy Festival, and on tour with Fairport Convention, and with Chris Leslie. She played on Chris's album The Gift , & on Hilary James' Love Lust & Loss, on Simon Mayor's New Celtic Mandolin., and has made numerous concert appearances. Her latest record was Hands across the Pond, with Richard Green, the American blue-grass fiddle player.
Abridged for 'TalkAwhile' by Jill Swarbrick from an original text by Roger Marriott, December 2008.
Brendan:
Truly a unsung heroine. I was of her work with swarb and the celidh band, and the beautiful solo and duo albums, but her influence on the folk scene clearly cannot be unestimated and of course a card is in the post.
Her appearance at swarbs 50th along with Kate Graham and the Celidh was a live highlight for me, when compared with any concert performance I have seen!
Amethyst (Jenny):
I was at that gig.. first time I saw Beryl.. what a great night that was.
parkwood:
The most special performance for me is Beryl's superb playing on 'The False Knight on the Road' from Simon's second solo excursion. Magic combination!
Will S:
Sorry I won't be able to send a card from here, but my best wishes go to her. I saw her only once, with the Fairport Ceilidh band in Gloucester one New Years Eve, but have greatly enjoyed her playing on Weave The Mirror, Hilary James' Love, Lust and Loss and various other albums.
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