myspace | mailing list | photos | workshops | links
Isambarde
Info - History
Chris was born in Coventry in 1977. He started playing music (well, the banjo, anyway!) at the age of eight, but quickly progressed to the guitar. After a brief sojourn at Exeter University, he dropped out, intending to make a career as a professional musician and consequently wound up on the dole.
His subsequent jobs have included being a tourist guide in a building that no one knew existed, selling frozen ready meals from the back of a van, Dried-Leaves Infusion Co-ordinator (Tea Boy) on a building site and crewing for the Tweenies. Chris is also however an experienced musician, having played in the pit at several theatres in the West End and has been involved with various bands and duos since he was 14.
He has also played in front of the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales, as well as many other pubs, but is generally moved on by the police.
"ISAMBARDE are a folk band with tremendous energy and enthusiasm. They are the unusual and winning combination of Chris's driving guitar, Emily's incisive fiddle playing and Jude's lyrical oboe coupled with great full on vocal harmonies. They play a great set and are an asset to any festival bill. Book 'em!!"
PHIL BEER
"Isambarde are a really good young band. They’re good to listen to, good to look at and it’s very obvious that they enjoy performing.”
VIN GARBUT
“Driving acoustic guitar rythms woven together by silken melodies on oboe and fiddle.”
CATH MUNDY and JAY TURNER