Sam Kelly Trio

Friday 16th August 2024
#PVFF24, #PVFF19

Having already recorded and produced over 10 acclaimed records, had multiple live sessions and airplay on BBC Radio 2 and 3, and his music regularly featured on Sky Arts and Sky Sports, it’s hard to believe that young Bristol-based folk singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Sam Kelly has only been performing live for a few years.

As a child, Sam spent many a night enraptured, listening to his Irish grandfather tell folk tales, sing songs, and play tunes on his melodeon. This awe and passion for Celtic music, coupled with a love for the heavy riffs of classic rock and blues, and a voice described by Mike Harding as ‘one of my favourite voices ever’ has led Sam on to produce some of the most exciting music on the British folk scene in recent years.

With folk luminaries such as Kate Rusby, Seth Lakeman, and Cara Dillon waxing lyrical about Sam’s live set, it seemed fitting when he was awarded the prestigious Horizon Award for emerging artists at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2016 at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Joining Sam at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival are Toby Shaer (whistles/fiddle), and Archie Moss (melodeon).

Sam Kelly stood on top of a high hill or mountain with foggy green hills behind him.