A promising teenager headlines the Brighton Acoustic Session at the Lord Nelson pub this evening (Monday 7 August).
Elsie Franklin grew up in a home filled with music. Her father, Adam, is a musician of international repute who plays host to countless American roots players touring the UK and with whom she has shared sessions round the kitchen table from an early age.
Small wonder that, still in her teenage years, she has become a performer of astonishing maturity, not only in her interpretations of classics from the country blues repertoire but also of her stylish original material.
Having played all over the UK, she came to the attention of the legendary Dave Kelly, of the Blues Band, whose sister, Jo Ann Kelly was an early inspiration.
He said: “Elsie Franklin is the most natural blues singer I’ve heard in years. Her guitar playing is pretty damn good too, uncluttered and tasteful, she really understands the genre – she’s the whole package.”
Also on the bill this evening is the Nautical String Section – a duo who come from contrasting musical backgrounds.
Emily Hall and Josh Slowley draw on such diverse influences as Martin Carthy, Stephane Grappelli and Wolf People.
Their music encompasses shanties and traditional songs as well as the music of 1930s Paris, with the odd stopover in the Appalachian mountains.
Emily plays and dances with the Cuckoo’s Nest morris side while Josh is also a member of the Wellington Wailers shanty group.
The Brighton Acoustic Session, sponsored by Harveys Brewery and Hobgoblin Music, takes place on the first Monday of the month at the Lord Nelson pub, in Trafalgar Street, Brighton, BN1 4ED.
Admission is free, although there is a collection.
For more information, visit www.brightonacoustic.com.
