A live recording of some of the pieces performed by the Belshaw Band in Exeter Library on 15th July 2023.

The Belshaw Band project has involved a number of players and performances in a variety of venues (pubs, restaurants, theatres and, on multiple occasions, at the Bristol Community Festival at Ashton Court).

The band was formed whilst Simon Belshaw studied at Bath and continued through his postgraduate study with Gavin Bryars at the University of Hertfordshire. The music has an infectious rhythmic power and you'll hear influences from Bryars, Nyman, Andriessen, Martland; from Baroque, rock and pop, minimalism and even a touch of jazz.

The line up has been fluid and has ranged in size from an ensemble of five players to one of fourteen but is more usually a seven piece ensemble consisting of trumpet, two saxes, piano, two violins and 'cello.

For the performance at Exeter Library the players were Simon Belshaw - piano, Mike Daniels* - trumpet (Bath Philharmonia, Gorgeous Big Horns Big Band, Premiere Brass Quintet, Moonrakers Dance Orchestra), Roz Harding - saxophone (Mike Westbrook, A Quiet Night In, Billie Bottle’s Temple Of Shibboleth), Julie Hill* - violin (Devon Baroque, Clifton Quartet, Devon Amici), Sarah Lewis* - saxophone (Northern Rhythm Big Band, Strictly Saxes Quartet), Jane Pirie (Ensemble Verxel, Orquesta Clasica de Vigo) - 'cello and Emma Welton - violin (Icebreaker , A Quiet Night In, Exeter Contemporary Sounds). The band was joined by Cheryl Enever* - voice (BBC Singers, English Touring Opera) for two pieces and by Edward Belshaw - drums for two pieces.

* original band members who also studied at Bath

A review of the concert:

www.theprsd.co.uk/2023/07/16/the-belshaw-band-pure-thrilling-and-tantalisingly-minimal/

and some other comments:

Fantastic evening! A band with such very talented musicians and they were having such good fun. Encore please!

The Belshaw Band in the music room at Exeter Library last night. Driving, euphoric and mesmerising compositions combining logical structures and systems with an expressive lyricism and soaring rhythmic trajectory. Heart and mind in other words. A marvellous evening of hugely engaging music performed by a superb group of musicians, with Laura Collins' striking collage providing a visually arresting backdrop throughout, and very evidently enjoyed by the large audience which filled the room.

The fabulous Belshaw Band at Exeter Library this evening. They are inspirational magical music weavers. A truly wonderful concert in the Rougemont Room. This is the only purpose built music room of its kind in central Exeter and the event was absolutely packed/sold out.

They were amazing. What a triumph!

Entertaining, Different, Enjoyable

Wonderful, inspirational, uplifting

Excellent concert - such a wonderfully inspiring event

Absolutely inspirational and imaginative - loved it!

Please programme more of these captivating events to inspire and engage our communities. An excellent musical and sensory experience

Very enjoyable and a big success

Very, very enjoyable. I loved it.

Really enjoyed it, could have sat listening to it for hours.