Purcell’s Polyphonic Party – Dance Band Copy

Purcell's Polyphonic Party are a trio of musicians come together to combine their love of Purcell, Playford, Baroque and the Nordic Noir.  Take one harpsichord, one viola d’amore , one nyckelharpa. Stir occasionally with bouzouki and accordion. Once mixed add one set of bagpipes, a light sprinkling of flageolet and allow to simmer gently together on stage for around 3 hours. Then enjoy some beautifully served up dance music.

With a wide range of experience from Playford and social dance to ceilidh and contra Purcell’s Polyphonic Party has a unique sound, combining the beauty and style of the baroque era with raw foot tapping dance energy.  You can be assured that a dance evening has plenty of variety.

John Dipper • viola d'amore, concertina
John is a respected and established performer, composer, teacher and instrument maker, John grew up steeped in the traditions of Southern England. His unique playing style and compositions convey a deep understanding and passion for indigenous culture. John’s passion for vernacular music led to his degree dissertation focussing on the interpretation of field recordings, looking at intonation, tuning and expression.

Vicki Swan • nyckelharpa, bagpipes, flute, flageolet
Vicki studied at the Royal College of Music on the double bass. She also plays the various types of bagpipes, flute, recorder, piano and nyckelharpa (Swedish keyed-fiddle).  On leaving music college Vicki started down the long path of folk music and was only seen on rare glimpses back in classical orchestras. You’ll find Vicki now inhabiting the troll-ridden forests playing her Swedish bagpipes, bagging tunes for new books. Vicki holds the Zorn Bronze Award for the traditional playing of Swedish bagpipes and runs workshops and teaches the nyckelharpa around the UK.

Jonny Dyer • harpsichord, accordion, bouzouki, guitar, piano
Jonny is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, writer and arranger. Classically trained as a pianist and trumpet player, he now specialises in traditional music from the British Isles and Scandinavia; primarily on spinet, accordion, guitar and cowhorn. By default, Jonny is probably England’s leading exponent of the Swedish Kohorn (cowhorn) and was just as surprised as you probably are to find out that forests have the most wonderful echoey acoustic to play the cowhorn in!