Music to pursue a freer musical style than was offered by the classical world. She grew up in Wales, and has played the violin since she was six, playing in both the North Powys Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. Co-founder Cormac Byrne, from County Waterford, Ireland, plays bodhrán, percussion and drums. He has been a member of Tommy Hayes' percussion orchestra Spraoi Drummers. As well as touring and recording with Uiscedwr, Byrne has toured extensively with Seth Lakeman's band and gained a BBC Fame Academy Bursary, which was used to partially fund Uiscedwr's second album, Circle. Anna and Cormac perform as a trio with a supporting guitarist. From January 2010, guitar is played by either Nick Waldock or James Hickman (and Nick also plays bass guitar). Nick first worked with Uiscedwr during its 'big band' project in 2008; James joined Uiscedwr at the end of 2007 to replace Kevin Dempsey. Uiscedwr Big Band During 2008, Uiscedwr experimented with a 'big band' project as an offshoot of its trio line-up. The six-piece band debuted at Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival. Like its parent trio, Uiscedwr Big Band played Celtic-influenced folk with elements of jazz, klezmer, gypsy, Latin, and American folk fiddle. Uiscedwr Big Band released a live album titled Naked and Dangerous and played a showcase concert at the annual Association of Festival Organisers Conference. Discography Everywhere (released 7 June 2004) "Feathers" "A-part before the Swing" "Mr and Mrs" "The Drunken Mouse" "Waterman's" "No Going Back" "Everywhere" "Set in the Woods" "All About Flying" "Mind the Gap" "La Peri" Circle (released 24 July 2006) "Everyday Cynic" "Esta Levista" "America" "Escobar" "Ceol Aine" "The Beast" "The Music Bringer" "Not The Hurricane" "Tut-Tut" "Yorkshire Tea" "Tree" "Flea Circus" Naked and Dangerous (Uiscedwr Big Band, limited release 23 November 2008) "Esta Levista" "Forever my Beloved" "Naked & Dangerous Part I" "Naked & Dangerous Part II" "Waterwater" "Storm" "Deise" "Yorkshire Tea" Fish Cat Door (released May 2009) "The Dirty Nine Steps" "Prescription Junkie" "Sunshine" "Seven Letters" "Tip Tap Baby" "Germs" "Girlyjig" "End of the Day" "Crucked Reels" "ESP" "Neptune" References External links "Anna Esslemont: Aren't Us Folkies Lucky?" BBC Radio 2, Folk & Acoustic; 23 September 2009 2002 establishments in England 2011 disestablishments in England English folk musical groups Musical groups established in 2002 Musical groups disestablished in 2011 Musical groups from Manchester