Ruth Angell

Ruth is a professional musician playing in multiple bands on the violin, guitar and singing vocals, she is also a writer. She learnt the violin from the age of 4 and has cultivated a love of music from all genres. She was introduced to Old Time fiddle tunes and Bluegrass music by Steve Read a family friend and since the age of about 11 has developed a love of folk music from all around the world.



Ruth always thought she had a voice but was never quite sue how to use it, she would sing in the bath and in the school choir, sometimes a little solo but always dreamt of bigger things. Her parents sent her to a proper singing teacher who told her she didn't have boobs big enough to be an opera singer, but she tried (briefly) and has learnt lots from her lessons. After many years of practice, non practice, loving and hating the violin she went to study in a conservatoire in Birmingham thinking that classical violin was the way to go, but struggling to stay sane in a miniature room for hours on her own trying to fit in to a box she wondered if she had done the right thing. She then met Joe Broughton (fiddler extrodinaire) and founder of the Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble who invited her to join the band giving her a much needed life line and a glimpse of what the future might hold. She then fell in love with Sid Peacock (Northern Irish, handsome maverick composer and thinker) who showed her that you could play other types of music and improvise on the violin and it was just as valid. So head of composition Andrew Downes gave her the chance to do a degree in composition and welcomed her with an open mind. She got her degree, much to her parents delight!! and after a brief period of being homeless and skint was snapped up by Ashley Hutchings who has been mentor, employer and friend ever since.



Along side performing and being involved with various music projects, Ruth also teaches violin to mostly small people and tries to inspire everyone to have a go and find their inner musician.



Bands she is currently playing in are:



'Rainbow Chasers'- original accoustic music with Ashley Hutchings, Jo Hamilton and Joe Topping.



'SURGE'- 12 piece jazz ensemble run by Sid Peacock.



'MABON'- funky Welsh celtic band playing all original compositions by Jamie Smith on accordian. They will make you dance!!!



'The Morris On Band'- funky Morris for any occasion!



'The Larkrise Band'- a pleasant evening with Ashley hutchings and friends bringing to life the english country side through music and words.



Other people she is currently working with on various projects:



Elbow Jane- These guy's have just released their new album 'Three Side Island'. Strings by Ruth Angell. Check them out at www.elbowjane.com



'The Mother Of All Morris'- brand new album out in October 2007, you can buy it NOW!!



Judy Dunlop- album 'Painting Is Fun'



NEW LARKRISE ALBUM Larkrise Revisited. Buy it now, you'll love it ;)



Her (Ruth's) own material for her debut album. Watch this space, things may happen one day



Ruth spends her time writing music and words,playing,performing and listening to music, knitting, drinking beer/whisky(only the quality stuff!), having baths, moaning when it's cold, planting things,watching the black bird in the garden gathering worms for his family, lounging around the charity shops, finding bargains, cycling, having cup's of tea or Pimms with friends, watching interesting movies, going out and having fun and collecting shells on the beach.