Kathryn Tickell (b. 1967) is an English player of the Northumbrian smallpip… Read Full Bio ↴Kathryn Tickell (b. 1967) is an English player of the Northumbrian smallpipes and fiddle. She has recorded eleven albums, and toured widely.

Kathryn Tickell took up the smallpipes aged nine, inspired by her family - especially her father Mike, who was heavily involved in the local traditional music scene - and by the music of an older generation of traditional musicians such as Willie Taylor, Will Atkinson, Joe Hutton, Richard Moscrop and Tom Hunter. By thirteen, Kathryn had won all the traditional open smallpipes competitions, and was also making a name as an accomplished player of the fiddle. Her family is from the North Tyne Valley area of Northumberland.

Her first album, On Kielder Side, was released in 1984. In the same year she was named the official piper for the Lord Mayor of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Kathryn turned professional in 1986. She has since toured Europe regularly and recorded with internationally-renowned performers like The Chieftains, Boys of the Lough, and Sting.

In 1990 she formed The Kathryn Tickell Band. As of 2005, the band currently consists of:
Peter Tickell - Fiddle
Julian Sutton - Melodeon
Ian Stephenson - Guitar, acoustic bass guitar
Kathryn Tickell - Northumbrian Pipes and Fiddle
Two ex-members of north-eastern traditional music luminaries the High Level Ranters have appeared on her albums - Tom Gilfellon on "On Kielder Side" and Alistair Anderson on "Borderlands" (1986). The latter album included to a tribute to Wark football team.
Several other pipers have appeared on her albums - Troy Donockley on "Debatable Lands", Patrick Molard on "The Gathering" and Martyn Bennett on "Borderlands". "Debatable Lands" includes "Our Kate", a composition by Kathryn Tickell dedicated to Catherine Cookson. Jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard wrote a piece with her in 2001. It was premiered at the opening of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

In 2002 Kathryn became director of "Folkestra North". It is a project to develop young talented musicians, aged between 14 and 19.

In 2013 Kathryn formed a quartet called the side with
Amy Thatcher, Newcastle based accordionist and clog dancer, also of The Shee and the Monster Ceilidh Band.
Classically trained Scottish harpist Ruth Wall, who performs as a soloist and in some of the most exciting ensembles and bands (Goldfrapp, Fitkin) as well as working extensively with composers, orchestras, electronic and visual artists.
Louisa Tuck, principal cellist at Northern Sinfonia.

Discography

1984 - On Kielder Side
1987 - Borderlands
1988 - Common Ground
1991 - The Kathryn Tickell Band
1993 - Signs
1997 - The Gathering
1998 - The Northumberland Collection
1999 - Debatable Lands
2000 - Ensemble Mystical
2001 - Music for a New Crossing
2002 - Back to the Hills
2004 - Air Dancing
2006 - The Sky Didn't Fall
2006 - Strange But True
2007 - Instrumental
2008 - What We Do
2009 - The Best of Kathryn Tickell
2012 - Northumbrian Voices
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