Left to right: Terry Fox, Trevor Carter, Lynda Fox, Linda Westrupp, Jason Hill
Individual Alf-Alfa band members are legendary in their own right. Jason has been described as "one of the unsung heroes of the folk revival"; Trevor is one of the folk movement's leading singer-songwriters; and Terry is Cheshire Poet Laureate.
Alf-Alfa's musical pedigree includes (in no particular order): Oatcake Billy's Ideal Band, Thelwall Morris, Heymaker, John Lee Hooker, Jim Eldon and the Sharpshooters, Donovan, Hong Kong Morris, Boneshaker, Phil & June Colclough, Canalsiders, Black Dog Molly, Buddy Guy, Cops 'n' Robbers, New Vaudeville Band, Up to Scratch etc.
Trevor Carter:
English concertina, piano, keyboards, harmonicas
Trevor has been playing in ceilidh bands since the 1970s, starting in Oatcake Billy's Ideal Band. Following the break-up of that band, he became a founder member of Alf Alfa & the Wild Oats in 1991. The current line-up (now known as Alf-Alfa) gives Trevor the opportunity to add some jazz piano to his more traditional concertina style. Trevor has another role - as a singer-songwriter, writing humorous songs of social comment (see www.edgemusic.org). He has recorded three CDs, and two of his songs have also been recorded by Pete Coe.
Lynda Fox
Percussion (tambourine, bodhran, cymbals, bass drum)
Lynda has a deservedly wide reputation as a folk percussionist extraordinaire. Together with Terry and Jason, Lynda was a founder member of Oatcake Billy's Ideal Band in 1977.
Terry Fox
Fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle
Terry's career began as a blues pianist in the 1960's: he played in the New Vaudeville Band (with whom he recorded 'Winchester Cathedral') and accompanied blues legend John Lee Hooker. He began the journey into the English tradition after meeting Bob Davenport of the Blues & Barrelhouse Club in Soho. After moving to Stoke-on-Trent, he became a founder member of Oatcake Billy's Ideal Band, and has been a sought-after member of folk and ceilidh bands since. In common with fiddlers Thomas Hardy and John Clare, Terry is also a poet and is currently Cheshire Poet Laureate.
Jason Hill:
Acoustic & electric guitars, bass guitar, banjo, ukulele, autoharp
Jason began his musical career in the 1960s, playing in bluegrass and old-timey country bands, and later developing an enthusiasm for Western Swing, the jazz-influenced country dance music of Texas. Jason also has a thorough grounding in the traditional music of the British Isles, and was described by the late Mike Raven as "one of the unsung heroes of the Folk Revival, and a talented musician". He was a founder member of both Oatcake Billy's Ideal Band in 1977 and Alf Alfa & the Wild Oats in 1991. For many years, he was the band's main caller, but he now forms part of the rhythm section with his solid work on guitar and other stringed instruments. He still calls occasionally with other bands.
Linda Westrupp:
Caller
Linda is a friendly and easy-going caller, equally brilliant with complete novices and expert dancers.
Wondering where Phil is?
Phil Pimentil is, of course, a valued member of Alf-Alfa. He is currently taking a sabbatical from the band, but we hope to welcome him back soon. We will post his details on his return.
