AWARD WINNING: Singer songwriter Martin Simpson will perform at The Witham
AWARD WINNING: Singer songwriter Martin Simpson will perform at The Witham

A MUSICIAN renowned as one of the finest fingerstyle guitarists of all time will perform in Barnard Castle at the end of the month.

Martin Simpson recorded his first album, Golden Vanity, more than 40 years ago, and is equally at home playing English traditional folk, American folk and blues and his own compositions, he is consistently named as one of the very finest fingerstyle guitar players in the world.

He continues to collaborate with a huge array of people from across the musical spectrum, from Jackson Browne to Richard Hawley and Bonnie Raitt. In recent years, he has been a lynchpin in the award-winning Full English, The Elizabethan Sessions and, in 2015, recorded Murmurs, with Andy Cutting and Nancy Kerr.

His latest solo album entitled Trails and Tribulations was released in September 2017 and last September he released Rooted, a mix of originals and traditional songs and tunes with guest appearances from friends old and new.

He will perform at The Witham, on Friday, January 31.

Sarah Gent, programming and marketing manager at town’s arts centre, said: “Martin has had the most nominations of any performer in the 18 years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards – an astonishing 32, with 13 of those as Musician of the Year, winning that particular accolade twice.

“We are delighted to be presenting him here at The Witham.”

Tickets for the show are £17 in advance and £19 on the door.

For details, contact the box office on 01833 631107 or go to www.thewitham.org.uk. Book online at https:// www.ticketsource.co.uk/thewitham/t-xxnark.