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Roots 'n' grooves from Eastern Europe and beyond

The Band

Flatworld arose out of the Tuesday night music session at the Brewers Arms in West Malvern, Worcestershire, during the winter of 2000/2001. We got together to play support for Polish klezmer trio Kroke — it's all chronicled in the band history.


The Players

Eric Aston
Eric Aston Eric has been playing drums around the Worcestershire music scene longer than anyone can remember. Bands that we do (fondly) remember include The Hedge Bumpers and psychedelic dance sensation Spiralize. Besides Flatworld he currently plays with medieval troubadours Nonimus and has recently taught djembe at Worcester College of Technology. In another guise Eric is DJ Mr Hej, specialising in House and Drum 'n' Bass.
Tim Cranmore
Tim Cranmore Despite graduating from the Guildhall School of Music in recorder, Tim changed to saxophone because, he claims, no one took him seriously. However, for his day job he continues to make recorders, which generally are taken seriously. His other life as a singer of grand opera (with Bel Canto Opera) is still largely a mystery to his friends who probably don't understand. As well as performing music Tim has also promoted it, previously as chairman of the Malvern Fringe and currently as agent for Renaissance Musicke trio Pantagruel.
Vo Fletcher
Vo Fletcher Vo cut his musical teeth playing jazz around the clubs of his native Birmingham before going on to become a composer for television. He is currently the guitarist in the Ric Sanders Group and has recorded and performed with numerous other artists, including Fairport Convention, Nigel Kennedy, John Etheridge, Dave Swarbrick, Andrew Cronshaw, The Albion Morris Band, Martin Simpson, Chris Leslie, Simon Nicol and Donovan. He also composes and performs music for children (Calmer Classrooms and Spaceman Sid), and has presented on Channel 5 TV. Find out more about Vo's many current projects at www.vofletcher.com.
Neil Poulter
Neil Poulter Neil has been a stalwart of the session scene around Malvern for over 15 years, playing in numerous informal groups (and a brief stint with The River Gypsies). With a long-standing interest in world music, Neil, along with ex-member Jonathan Penley, has supplied most of the band's tunes and arrangements. Besides playing and singing, Neil, an engineer by trade, is responsible for the technical aspects of the band: live sound, making CDs and the web site. Neil is one of the organisers of West Malvern's community music festival, West Fest
Kimberly Turnbull
Kimberly Turnbull Kimberly is a classically trained viola player (music degree from Hull University, specialising in harmony), who took up the violin when she moved to Malvern. She's passionate about a wide variety of musical styles, not least post-Romantic opera and Pink Floyd. In addition to Flatworld she occasionally sings in chamber groups and also lectures at Worcester University. Kimberly is a director of festival organisers Floating Lotus — careful with that cookie, Eugene…


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