Kathryn Tickell
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Kathryn Tickell (b 1967) is an English player of the Northumbrian bagpipes
Kathryn Tickell was born in Wark, Northumberland in 1967. Several source give Kathryn's date of birth as 1970, but her own website (www.kathryntickell.com) says that she recorded "On Kielder Side" at the age of 16. It was recorded in 1984. In the same year she was named the official piper for the Lord Mayor of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She was inspired by local musicians such as Billy Pigg who also played the Northumbrian pipes. She became professional in 1986.
Two ex-members of the High Level Ranters appear on her albums - Tom Gilfellon on "On Kielder Side" and Alasdair Anderson on "Borderlands" (1986). The latter album included to a tribute to Wark football team. Several other bagpipers have appeared on her albums - Troy Donockley on "Debateable Lands", Patrick Molard on "The Gathering" and Martyn Bennett on "Borderlands". "Debateable 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. She has toured Europe and recorded with internationally-renowned performers like The Chieftains, Boys of the Lough and Sting.
In 2002 Kathryn became director of "Folkestra North". It is a project to develop young talented musicians, aged between 14 and 19. Her younger brother Peter Tickell played fiddle with the group. On several recent albums she has included melodeon played Julian Sutton.
discography
- - On Kielder Side (1984)
- - Borderlands (1987)
- - Common Ground (1988)
- - The Kathryn Tickell Band (1991)
- - Signs (1993)
- - The Gathering (1997)
- - The Northumberland Collection (1998)
- - Debateable Lands (1999)
- - Ensemble Mystical (2000)
- - Music for a New Crossing (2001)
- - Back to the Hills (2002)
- - Air Dancing (2004)